The anti-flood plans to deepen the Thames will be received locally with shouts of welcome.

For it was round here that we bore the brunt of the 2003 floods, and every winter there has been the fear of reoccurrence.

It is notable that the plans come from the well respected Environment Agency rather than the now universally despised Thames Water. The EA performed well in a tight situation in 2003 and I am sure folk round here will have every confidence that their proposals are well-based and sensible.

One extra thought: it is hoped the three options being put forward are not mutually exclusive. In our local context I would guess for optimum defence we need elements of all of them.

Andrew McLuskey Diamedes Avenue Staines