River Severn to River Thames transfer scheme

24 February 2022

Dear

Request for information: - ATISN 16005 River Severn to River Thames transfer

Information requested

Thank you for your request dated 22 January 2022. You have asked for information relating to the River Severn to River Thames transfer scheme, in particular:

1. To confirm or deny involvement of WG in any aspect dealing with the  engagement and compilation of this scheme
2. A summary of any official communication between Welsh Government and stakeholders/UK Government.

Our response

On point 1, The scheme is being proposed by United Utilities, working with Severn Trent and Thames Water – all of which are English water companies. The scheme is considered as part of a wider programme of work to deliver strategic water resource options. RAPID - the Regulators Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development is leading this programme. The Welsh Government has been kept informed via verbal updates of progress and attends various RAPID working groups however engagement and communication is led by RAPID, Water Resources West or the individual companies involved with the scheme.

On point 2, Welsh Government holds no such communications, as per our explanation above. 

Next steps

If you are dissatisfied with the Welsh Government’s handling of your request, you can ask for an internal review within 40 working days of the date of this response.  Requests for an internal review should be addressed to the Welsh Government’s Freedom of Information Officer at: Information Rights Unit, Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ or Email: Freedom.ofinformation@gov.wales

Please remember to quote the ATISN reference number above.   

You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner.  The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: 

Information Commissioner’s Office, 
Wycliffe House, 
Water Lane, 
Wilmslow, 
Cheshire, 
SK9 5AF 

However, please note that the Commissioner will not normally investigate a complaint until it has been through our own internal review process.

Yours sincerely