Grand Union Canal (GUC) Transfer Scheme
Affinity Water is making a presentation at the next Parish Council meeting just after 7.00pm on 13 October about this scheme, providing information about progress made so far.
Published: 15 September 2026
The GUC scheme will transfer up to 115 million litres of water per day along the canal system, from near Birmingham to Affinity Water’s areas with insufficient water in the southeast of England.
Bert Ogle wrote a detailed, technical response to the first consultation in 2024, highlighting the potential for the Oxford Canal to overtop and flood the village should the engineering be inadequate to manage the additional flow of water. He outlined what engineering works would need to be done to ensure this did not happen. (See document below.)
The presentation will last 15 – 20 minutes and be followed by a Q & A session. We have asked the presenter to talk about the engineering changes planned for the section of the Oxford Canal above Willoughby, from Longdown Lane to Braunston, to ensure that there is no flooding of the village. Please come to the presentation to find out more and to ask any questions you may have. For more information about the scheme, go to guctransfer.co.uk
