What have we done so far
So far during 2026, we have been carrying out further work to the outline business case so it can then be submitted to our assurance body for their review. We have also been continuing with work to secure the funding needed to carry out works to the Scheme. We have been looking closely at the updated Government funding rules that came into effect in April 2026 to understand how much funding could be secured from that source, as well as continuing conversation with potential funding partners.
As highlighted when we shared information about the findings of our engagement with the community in late 2024, the business case is being prepared and funding sought for the ‘Local Choice’ option. This option was called Option Red during the 2024 consultation. If you would like to know more about Option Red, details can be found here: Maintain the current water levels throughout the Lower Mole Scheme - Option Red | Engage Environment Agency
Our current aim is to submit the outline business case for review later this year. Once the review has been concluded, this should offer more certainty on the likely amount of funding the project could be allocated from central Government and then what additional funding is required from other sources to allow the project to move ahead. We will then also be able to start the planning process for the detailed design stage of the necessary works to the Scheme.
We will continue to keep this site updated as the project moves through the stages of the outline business case submission and the conclusions of the review by our assurance body.
We are also continuing to carry out maintenance works to the structures so the risk of flooding can continue to be managed whilst works for the future of the Scheme are further developed. At present, plans are being prepared to replace some of the mechanical and electrical components associated with the radial gates at Island Barn so the gates are easier to operate. Further information on these works at Island Barn will be shared on this site once they become available.
Year | Our actions |
2019 | •Engaged the local community about updating the scheme •Carried out a river corridor survey in May •Engaged the local community and stakeholders with our initial ideas in June •Heard the communities views over changes to existing river water levels •Carried out fish, invertebrates and bathymetric surveys to assess the current levels of wildlife and depth of the river |
2020 | •Used community feedback to start considering how options could be revised •Calculated the potential cost and carbon impacts of the options. Shared reporting from surveys carried out in 2019. These surveys are usually done at a later stage, but we responded to public concerns around water levels and wildlife by sharing this information early •Engaged with residents whilst completing our maintenance work •Ran a number of sessions with the local community to show how the scheme currently works and how the gates are operated •Carried out surveys during the summer and autumn to determine whether bats were present along the scheme. Our results showed that bats were not using the structures as roosts |
2021/2022 | •Engaged with the local community and stakeholders online in early 2021 to hear their views and share information •Looked at a range of mitigation options based on community feedback about water level changes •Carried out flood risk modelling for each mitigation option to ensure there would be no impact on managing flood risk •Assessed each mitigation option to understand any associated ecological impacts and water level changes •Created an updated shortlist of options, considering a range of alternatives for how each structure could look in the future |
2023 | •Updated the costs and benefits of the options •Re-assessed the risks with design and construction of each option •Re-assessed the carbon footprint of each option •Assessed the biodiversity net gain for each option •Updated the local community and stakeholders about the scheme |
2024 | •We held an online consultation on for 12 weeks to engage the local community and hear their views •We ran Three public drop-in sessions during the consultation period •We keep local residents informed of any project updates through our Engagement HQ website •Promoted the consultation via our media channels and provide leaflets to local community spaces |
2025 |
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In 2019, we engaged with stakeholders and the community on our initial options and heard your views around proposed changes to existing water levels. We carried out multiple scientific surveys in the area and ran sessions with the community on how the scheme currently works and how we operate the sluice gates.
In 2021, we shared a short list of options with the community through online engagement. Using feedback gathered during this time, we carried out additional work that included further modelling and several studies carried out by our engineers to refine our options. You can find out more about this work on the ‘How we revised the options page’
in 2024 we published the consultation, it was open for 12 weeks from 15 August to midnight 6 November 2024. We consulted stakeholders using our online consultation tool, Citizen Space. Before the consultation we also updated our project website on Engagement HQ with information on each of the options to share these details with the community and stakeholders as soon as they were available.
We promoted the consultation using both social and traditional media, as well as placing posters in community spaces through the Scheme and direct mail drops to the community. We informed the MP, Local Councillors and members of the User Advisory Group about the consultation and held three public drop-in sessions throughout the time the consultation was open to allow the community to view the information in person and ask the project team any questions.
As the Scheme covers a large area, we structured the questions to allow respondents to answer only specific questions most related to their area of interest though it was possible to make a response to every question if respondents chose to do so.
In 2025 armed with the results of the public consultation we held a User Advisory Group meeting where we presented partners with the results of the consultation and broke down the funding required to allow us to pursue option Red - the local choice option.
In the consultation we asked if you would be interested in taking a tour of the river Mole. We had a lot of interest so as a result we planned and then ran 4 successful tours of the river, allowing those attending to find out more about the river, how we maintain the sluice structures and how they operate. Various members of the project team were available to answer questions and to guide attendees along the river.