Local residents have had their first opportunity to question Thames Water about its proposed South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO) — a massive new reservoir planned near Abingdon, Oxfordshire. The first face-to-face public consultation took place at Didcot Civic Hall, giving attendees the chance to explore plans, scale models, and a virtual simulation of the project.

The proposed reservoir, which could supply water to 15 million people across southern England, including customers of Southern Water, has an estimated cost of £5.5 billion to £7.5 billion. The public consultation will run until 13 January, and if approved, construction could begin as early as 2029.

Local Concerns Over Disruption and Scale

Some residents expressed concerns about the impact on local communities during construction.
John Aldridge, from Didcot, said, “If it goes ahead, it’s going to affect local people — the villages, towns, and everything around here. There will be a lot of disruption for a long time.”

Others questioned whether Abingdon was the right location. Liz Morris, from Chilton, commented, “I’m not convinced it’s in the right place. The scale of disruption during the build worries me the most.”

Support from Some Residents

Despite opposition, some locals showed support for the project, recognising the need for greater water supply resilience.
Phillip Johnson, from Didcot, said, “I’m actually in favour of it. With more housing developments across the region, we’ll need water for all those new homes.”

Alison Jessup, another Didcot resident, acknowledged local frustration but urged progress:
“It’s just change — people don’t like change. This has been discussed for years; if we’re going to do it, let’s move forward and see the benefits.”

Ongoing Engagement and Feedback

Thames Water has organised seven in-person consultation events across Abingdon, Didcot, and Wantage, along with two online webinars to reach more participants.

Leonie Dubois, Head of Engagement at Thames Water, said this marks the first time the public can view the full project scope in person.
“Every response will be reviewed carefully,” she said. “Previous consultations have already shaped our plans — for example, we added a channel for the Wilts & Berks Canal based on earlier feedback.”

Financial Concerns and Future Commitment

Questions have also been raised about Thames Water’s financial stability, following widespread reports about the company’s economic challenges.
Dubois reassured the public, saying, “We understand customer concerns about our finances, but we are working hard to strengthen our position. It’s business as usual — investing in future water security remains a priority.”

A Vision for Future Generations

For some residents, the long-term benefits outweigh short-term disruption.
Mike Collet, a Didcot resident studying environmental management, shared, “People must accept that large-scale infrastructure projects are necessary. It might be inconvenient now, but it’s vital for future generations — for our children and grandchildren.”