An ambitious project to upgrade and improve a stretch of river that bought pollution misery to village homes during the 2014 floods is about to be launched.

The Roundmoor Ditch runs between Taplow and Dorney Common, close to homes.

It is usually a pleasant amenity. But it changes character during intense periods of flooding when Slough sewage treatment works is allowed to discharge into the ditch - a practice that brought particular misery to people in Eton Wick over a three month period during the 2014 deluge as wildlife died and sewage floated past their kitchen windows.

Now the leading waterways charity Thames21 is launching a consultation before undertaking a project that will see 750 metres or more of the ditch restored to tip top condition after the disastrous pollution.

Luke Damerum, Thames21’s project officer for the non-Tidal Thames, said: “We want to talk to residents about our plans for improving the river and find out what they think about the river – how they use it and how they would like to use it.

“We want to improve marginal vegetation, rebuild riverbanks that have fallen away, remove vegetation that is preventing a diversity of wildlife flourishing and make Roundmoor Ditch a fantastic open space that both people and wildlife can enjoy.

“Discussions after the flooding in the river behind people’s houses in 2014 demonstrated that a lot of community groups are passionate about the area’s waterways and want to help look after it.”

The consultation evenings are to be held on Thursday next week, July 13 and Monday, July 17 between 7pm and 9pm at Eton Wick Church of England School, Sheepcote Road.

The project is being funded by Thames Water, which worked closely with the Royal Borough to devise the plan.

Thames Water officials came in for a lot of anger during public meetings held at a time when the ditch when most badly affected by sewage discharge.

The company’s external affairs director, Richard Aylard, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting Thames21. The interested and support of the Royal Borough has been crucial in getting us to this point and we hope local people will be enthusiastic in helping to shape the details of the project.”