From the very first proposals back in June 2018, the EA appears to have considered only heavy engineering options, i.e. a combination of deep-foundation walls and embankments and, later, the addition of a wide channel through the southern parts of Christchurch Meadow and Hills Meadow. Natural flood management combined with property-level resilience has never been […]
- News
- ...
Come and help!

Local residents are getting organised. We’re going to be running stalls each week in Caversham, Broad St and along the Thames. We’re also planning more. Come along to one of the sessions below and find out more. Day Time/Date Event Location Thursday 1-3:30 5thMarch EA Drop-in Weller Centre Saturday 1-4pm 7thMarch EA Drop-in Thameside […]
Cabfas to oppose EA flood plans

The Cabfas committee has been chasing the Environment Agency for months, hoping to get a clear picture of their plans for the Caversham and Reading flood defence scheme. The EA has provided limited information, but what we do know has lead us to one conclusion: we need to oppose the scheme and call for a […]
New strategy will be ready for November 20 council meeting

Cabfas members are working on a new campaign strategy, which will be in place to make the most of the November strategic planning meeting. The meeting will be an opportunity for the Council to look more closely at the Environment Agency plans, and for members of the public to ask questions. The Cabfas strategy is […]
Loss of trees along the south bank of the Thames

The flood alleviation scheme includes a wall running along the south bank of the Thames, between Caversham and Reading bridges. The wall will go underground as well as up higher than current walls. The construction will require the permanent loss of all trees along the path.
Loss of trees on Christchurch Meadows

The Environment Agency’s proposals include a large earth wall, or bund, running the full length of the meadows. The structure is likely to be covered with earth and grass, but all bushes and trees will be cut down and no new plants will be allowed. The bund will run along the edge of the meadows, […]
More dates for EA Popup stalls
The Environment Agency has advised several more dates for community awareness ‘pop-ups’ where you can find out about the proposed Flood Alleviation Scheme for Caversham:
EA stall outside Caversham Waitrose – Thursday 20 June
As a result of pressure from CABFAS, the Environment Agency have recently stepped up their efforts at community engagement. Following their presence at last weekend’s Water Fest, their next pop-up stall will be at the entrance to the Caversham branch of Waitrose tomorrow, Thursday 20 June, between 12 noon and 2pm. They will be handing out overview and […]
BBC news coverage: River Thames flood defence plans need ‘clear evidence’
The BBC news has picked up an interview that one of the CABFAS key members did with the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Read the full article here.
Some questions about the North Reading and Lower Caversham Flood Alleviation Scheme

If you know nothing or just a little bit about the scheme, the following are some of the questions that it throws up. We will expand this Q&A over time as we get more detailed information through engagement with the EA at individual and campaign level. If you have any specific questions about the scheme […]