The Wraysbury Drain is about two miles long and dates back to before 1799. We are on the way to September 2025 – there is plenty of water available but the Wraysbury Drain is still not working because of blockages. Below is the Splash (looking good) in June 2005.
Twenty years on – in August 2025 – and the Splash looks like this.
The image below is Wraysbury Village Green in December 2000.
Twenty years on and the Green still floods.
In my opinion the primary functional purpose of the Wraysbury Drain as a piece of land drainage infrastructure has been undermined and destabilised by the actions and inactions of the authorities and a few riparian owners. I believe the current legislation is in urgent need of improvement.
I do not have the power to correct the problems – but I can identify my concerns:
- When a land drainage channel such as the Wraysbury Drain becomes urbanised due to local development over time, the responsibility for maintenance is distributed between multiple riparian owners.
- The authorities have responsibility and legal powers but no duty to inspect and maintain ordinary watercourses.
- The authorities have already spent a lot of public money but have repeatedly failed to reinstate the conveyance capacity.
- Some riparian owners have failed to maintain the channel in a condition fit for purpose. Some may not be aware of their obligations.
END