Theresa May visits Cookham amid flooding as Jubilee River at capacity

Maidenhead MP Theresa May visited Cookham on Sunday, January 7, following the news that all main roads into the village have been closed.

These include Sutton Road and the B4447 - with the relief road which runs along the latter operating via traffic lights for residents only.

"I'm surprised at how quickly it has got so bad," Theresa May MP said.

"I've just been at Hurley, they said that came up very quickly overnight. 

"I think we were all hoping that it was going to be fine locally and suddenly it has just increased.

"The Environment Agency told me they think it should be going down from tomorrow, so hopefully this is the worst we are going to see."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead first closed the B4447 on Friday, January 5, stating: "Please be aware that a section of the B4447 The Moor in Cookham is currently closed in both directions due to flooding.

"The road will be reopened when water levels recede."

A car left in the Cookham Moor National Trust car park remains amongst the flood water.

The situation has since escalated and the River Thames has burst its banks further upstream near Maidenhead on the Sutton Road, where a van was pulled from the flood water earlier today.

Meanwhile, walkers have been crossing the road with wellies.

When asked if the flooding is a concern Mrs May will look into further, she said: "It is something I always keep an eye on.

"I'll be talking to the Environment Agency on what lessons they have learnt from this - how well equipped they were to deal with it.

"The Jubilee River of course is what protects Maidenhead itself.

"That is operating but it is at full capacity so they will be keeping an eye on that as well."

The Jubilee River was built by the Environment Agency and opened in 2002, providing flood relief to Maidenhead and Windsor.

However, the areas of Cookham, Datchet and Wraysbury, amongst others, are not protected from flooding by the Jubilee River.