The Environment Agency, working in partnership with Buckinghamshire Council, Buckingham Town Council, the Upper Ouse Water Management Board (formerly the Bedford Group of Internal Drainage Boards), local landowners and riparian owners, will soon begin the first phase of a programme of targeted maintenance works along the River Great Ouse through Buckingham.
Works are due to begin Monday 7 September 2026
The first phase will include targeted desilting and tree and vegetation management within the main river channel through Heartlands and Bourton Park.
The works are intended to improve the river’s flow capacity, support ongoing watercourse management and contribute to reducing flood risk, while carefully protecting the river’s important ecological habitats.
What to expect in Bourton Park
The works will initially begin in the main river channel nearest to the road bridge in Bourton Park, before progressing upstream.
Normal working hours will be 8.00am-4.00pm, Monday to Friday.
There is a large area of Bourton Park available to park users and there should be plenty of space to safely divert walks around the working area. Please follow any signage and directions from the banksmen when using the park.
Why are the works taking place?
The maintenance programme is being delivered in phases and is intended to improve the river’s flow capacity, support ongoing watercourse management and help reduce flood risk, while protecting the ecological value of the river and its surrounding habitats.
To comply with environmental legislation protecting fish spawning and bird nesting, works will take place within approved working windows between 1 September 2026 and 14 March 2027. No silt-disturbing activities will be undertaken between 15 October and 31 December 2026.
The Environment Agency, Upper Ouse Water Management Board, Buckinghamshire Council, Buckingham Town Council and participating landowners will continue to work closely together to deliver this important programme while protecting the environmental value of the River Great Ouse and its surrounding habitats.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation while these important works are carried out.
Cllr Heather Haydock, Chair of Buckingham Town Council’s Environment Committee, said: “This exciting new project aims to reduce flood risk for Buckingham’s homes and businesses while further enhancing the beauty and biodiversity of this stretch of the River Great Ouse, Climate change is contributing to more frequent extreme weather events including heavy rainfall and so natural flood management and river maintenance projects like this are more important than ever.”
Notes
For enquiries, please contact Claire Molyneux at Buckingham Town Council on 01280 816426 or communications@buckingham-tc.gov.uk.