River Great Ouse maintenance — positive progress for Buckingham

FA4B welcomes the first phase of targeted maintenance works on the River Great Ouse through Buckingham, led by the Environment Agency in conjunction with Buckinghamshire Council, Buckingham Town Council, the Upper Ouse Water Management Board and local landowners.

The planned desilting and vegetation management is a long-awaited step towards improving river capacity and addressing an important part of Buckingham’s wider flood-risk. FA4B have consistently raised concerns about river maintenance and the condition and capacity of the River Great Ouse, engaging with stakeholders, pressing for action and keeping the issue firmly on the agenda.

This is positive progress and FA4B recognises and appreciates the persistence of Buckingham’s flood-affected community in reaching this stage. However, it is only the beginning and we now need to see what the next phases deliver and how river maintenance fits into a wider, coordinated approach to reducing flood risk across Buckingham.

FA4B will continue to work constructively with all stakeholders and ensure the voice and experience of flood-affected residents remains part of the conversation.