£300 million to spent on flood defences

The channels, which will be like new rivers, will measure 50-60 metres wide and run from Datchet to Bell Weir, near the Runnymede Hotel in Egham, Chertsey Road, Staines/Egham to Chertsey Lock, and from Chertsey Lock to the old river in Shepperton.

Craig Twaddle, safety administrator at Staines Boat Club, said: "There is the Jubilee River between Maidenhead and Windsor which was created for this purpose, but all it did was move the problem onto another area.

"Apart from 2003 we haven't had any flooding problems although the river has at times been quite high and fast which meant we haven't been able to row for safety reasons."

Mr Twaddle said that anything that improves river conditions would be good, but said the EA need to make sure the don't move the problems onto other areas.

The EA believe the scheme will take about five years to gain approval and a further five to implement, and the body's flood risk manager Ian Tomes said it would pose a huge challenge of civil engineering.

Four homes in Chertsey Lane, Egham, would have to be bulldozed, but Mr Tomes said the destruction of properties would be kept to a minimum, with the channels being routed away from urban areas and connecting instead to lakes and gravel pits before rejoining the Thames.

But Chertsey Lane resident Anna Barry said the plans will just move water nearer to residential homes.

She said: "Although I have not seen the plans I cannot see how this will help. We haven't had flooding here for 60 years, and it was only since the Jubilee River was built did we see the Thames raise and run faster."

The new channels will be accessible to the public and would be adorned with features including paths, reed beds, and picnic areas.

Mr Tomes said the flooding risk would be reduced but added: "It is not possible to completely eliminate the dangers because the new channels will have a finite capacity, but they would deal with a 2003-type weather event."

Despite concerns raised by Spelthorne MP David Wilshire about the availability of government funding, Mr Tomes said: "The payments would be spread over five to six years so it is do-able. The annual national flood budget is £600m."

A public exhibition will take place on Thursday October 1 in Staines Community Centre, and on Tuesday October 27 in Wraysbury Village Hall.