The Rethinking Water Citizens’ Jury was organised by the Environment Agency and a Local Advisory Group, working with the Involve Foundation; an independent charity, who acted as the main point of contact for jury members throughout the process.
The jury, which took place in March 2022, debated local issues, shared ideas and questioned environmental experts on all aspects of the water environment. This projects aim was to involve local communities in decisions about the future of the tidal Thames.
The findings, in the form of recommendations written and recorded by the jurors – Video of the recommendations from the Tidal Thames
The final six recommendations from the Tidal Thames Citizens’ Jury were:
- Public Education: more public education to help communities understand their influence and responsibilities.
- Access for all – improving public access to the river.
- Biodiversity Net Gain – Connecting net gain with wildlife and flood prevention.
- Enforcement of Environmental Standards: taking a much stronger stance on environmental enforcement
- Natural Flood Defences: Flood defences and climate change mitigation measures (sustainable urban drainage, living walls, green roofs, rainfall capture etc) need to be front and centre in all planning and urban development considerations.
- Coordinated River Management – having a single body which represents key stakeholder groups for the whole Tidal River Thames.
https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/ksles/tidal-river-thames-on-rethinking-water/