A council has defended its record on flood alleviation efforts following concerns that areas of Berkshire remain at risk.

Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead councillor Ewan Larcombe has raised concerns about the status of the River Thames Scheme (RTS) – which aims to prevent flooding in the Home Counties.

RBWM withdrew from the project a few years ago over budgeting concerns, which would have seen ‘Channel One’ protect the area from Datchet to Hythe End.

Councillor Larcombe said: “I am concerned because the RTS project is now reduced in size due to the removal of Channel One but the expenditure and the timescales are steadily increasing.

“In my opinion – after many years and previous assurances that have not been kept - combined with lethargic development – this project not only lacks coherence but also exhibits similarities with HS2.”

Villages in east Berkshire have been known to experience bad flooding, including major floods within the past decade.

However, RBWM’s cabinet member for environmental services councillor Richard Coe said: “Measures to help tackle flooding in Datchet, Horton and Wraysbury and Old Windsor are being proactively explored by the Royal Borough and Environment Agency, including funding for alternative flood alleviation works.”

He also lamented lack of funding from central government to support local authorities and the Environment Agency in flood protection schemes.

He added: “All flood risk management projects are complex, multi-stage, significant infrastructure projects and, as such, they take time to identify suitable options working with the community, secure the required permissions and raise the significant investment required from multiple sources in order for them to go ahead.

“Flooding remains a very real risk and concern in Datchet, Horton, Wraysbury and Old Windsor, and we share residents’ frustration at the slow pace imposed by national frameworks.”

The Environment Agency was contacted for comment.