In 2015 a vital flood alleviation scheme (FAS) required in Eastbury, was completed three years after it was first conceived: a very quick turnaround for such a project, which can take between six and twelve years (Great Shefford’s took nine). On 4 July 2025, a celebration event took place in Eastbury to commemorate this anniversary. This was organized by the Eastbury Village Flood Prevention Association (EVFPA).

Prior to the scheme, Eastbury was subject to very significant flooding which often lasted for many weeks. This impacted everyone in the village, those on higher ground as well those living along the river bank.

The FAS, which is comprised of a throttle and bund, is self-regulating: when the river becomes high, the throttle restricts the excess water and holds it in a storage bund, protecting the village from being overwhelmed with flooding. The FAS has helped protect Eastbury through holding back huge volumes of water, up to 15,000 cubic meters – equivalent to 100,000 bath tubs – in 2017, 2020  and 2024 which would have flooded the village.

You can click here to see diagrams and photos of the FAS from our article written at the time of its fifth anniversary.

A small group (including myself, local MP Lee Dillon and Lambourn ward member Howard Woollaston) were fortunate enough to be given a tour of the FAS by Village Warden James Potter. He explained what had been there before, how the (very simple) device operates and how effective it has proved to be. 

Such schemes are – as residents of Great Shefford would agree – neither quick nor cheap to accomplish. This one was delivered by a small group of people in Eastbury, all bringing relevant skills to the project led by Liz Goodman and which included Sue Riley, Caroline Potter, David Woodhead, Chris Capel and Bonnie and Barry Keeling, working in partnership with the Environment Agency, West Berkshire Council and Thames Regional Flood and Coastal Committee. The design of the scheme was agreed by the then EVFPA project team and the Environment Agency and cost an estimated £750,000.

The list of people who in various ways assisted with the project, before during and after its construction, is an even longer one. These included the then MP Richard Benyon, the late Stuart Clark of West Berkshire Council, the Eastbury community (which raised the funds for the village’s contribution), the Rooksnest Estate (which waived its right to any compensation for the FAS being built on its land), Waitrose, Lambourn Parish Council, Thames Water and Greenham Trust.

“The FAS has delivered to date beyond expectations,” Liz Goodman, Chair of the EVFPA said. “It’s protected us by mitigating flooding and we are truly grateful to all of the organisations and people who supported us in delivering the FAS.”

The work of the EVFPA is far from over. The Village Wardens, James Potter and Andrew Gorton, conduct the work and do an amazing job. In particular, the FAS needs to be regularly monitored and obstructions such as logs and branches removed. Regular riparian work (some of which is now performed by the EA) and grip clearing also continues according to necessity and season. 

One particular and important task also remains, as Liz Goodman pointed out. This is ensuring that the village’s flood risk is downgraded, so bringing more benefit to the community by reducing property insurance premiums. It seems surprising that this has not already happened given the FAS has prevented flooding in the past ten years…

As a riparian resident of East Garston, I’d like also to add thanks on behalf of all the residents here. We have considerably benefitted not only from the FAS but also from the knowledge and dedication of the EVFPA and the Village Wardens a couple of miles upstream from our village.

For more information on the EVFPA, please email evfpa@eastbury.org.

Brian Quinn

The header photo shows, left to right, Lambourn Ward Member Howards Woollaston, Eastbury Village Warden James Potter and Newbury MP Lee Dillon on the Eastbury FAS on 4 July 2025.