Jubilee River Flood Channel

Question 1

Where is the channel?

Answer 1

South-East England

Question 2

The river runs roughly parallel to what river?

Answer 2

River Thames

Question 3

Where does the river channel start?

Answer 3

Just to the South-East of Maidenhead.

Question 4

What direction does the channel flow?

Answer 4

South-Easterly

Question 5

What prestigious town is sandwiched between the Thames and the Jubilee channel?

Answer 5

Eton

Question 6

How long is the river channel? (and wide)

Answer 6

11.7 kilometres long and 50 metres wide.

Question 7

Who funded the river channel?

Answer 7

the Environmental Agency (EA)

Question 8

When was the channel opened?

Answer 8

2002

Question 9

The artificial channel was created to look natural.

What features where implemented to attempt a natural look?

Answer 9

Meanders and shallow reed beds, and a nature reserve with bird hides in the area.

Question 10

How many weirs (large dams) are on the course of the channel?

Answer 10

5

Question 11

Why was the Jubilee channel created?

Answer 11

To effectively divert water from the River Thames, reducing flood risk at certain vulnerable points.

Question 12

Which areas now have a reduced flood risk due to the channel?

Answer 12

Southeast Maidenhead, Eton and Windsor

Question 13

Why was the scheme required?

Answer 13

This area is low-lying and flood prone. It contains the Royal settlement of Windsor and prestigious school (Eton) which attract many visitors. The land has high property and cultural value.

Question 14

What are some Social issues about the scheme?

Answer 14

• Ethical issue surrounding protection of affluent Eton/Windsor but detriment of Old Windsor/Wraysbury with less money.
• Paddle boarders were promised a river to use, but never got it.

Question 15

What are some Environmental issues about the scheme?

Answer 15

• In 2014, there was extensive flooding immediately downstream where the channel rejoined, destroying habitats and inundating fields.
• Algae collects behind the weirs, disrupting the natural ecosystems.

Question 16

What are some Economic issues about the scheme?

Answer 16

• Most expensive flood-relief scheme in the UK.
• Maintenance cost is higher than originally thought.
  Small businesses lose money as they cannot function.

Question 17

The channel was the most expensive flood-relief scheme in the UK, how much was it projected to cost? and did they meet the budget?

Answer 17

Projected cost was £330 million. However, it is over by £110 million.