Flood risk across Berkshire
The Thames forms Berkshire's northern edge and the Kennet runs across it, so river flooding is the main risk. In the winter of 2013–14 the Thames flooded hundreds of homes in Datchet, Wraysbury and Old Windsor, and Newbury and Thatcham flooded in July 2007. Groundwater can also rise in the chalk of west Berkshire.
Flood zones only show river and sea flooding, and they ignore flood defences. Surface water and reservoir risk aren’t part of the zones – check them on the Environment Agency’s long-term flood risk service, or get the full report, which covers every source.
Rivers that shape local flood risk
Main rivers are managed by the Environment Agency. Smaller watercourses and drainage are the responsibility of Bracknell Forest Council and landowners.
River Thames – Reading, Maidenhead, Windsor, Datchet and Wraysbury
River Kennet – Hungerford, Newbury and Reading
River Loddon – Wokingham and Twyford
River Lambourn – Lambourn and Newbury
River Pang – Pangbourne
Who manages flood risk here
Bracknell Forest Council, Reading Borough Council, Slough Borough Council, West Berkshire Council, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and Wokingham Borough Council are the Lead Local Flood Authorities, responsible for surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses. The Environment Agency manages main rivers and the sea, and issues flood warnings. The same councils also decide planning applications – and asks for a flood risk assessment in Flood Zones 2 and 3.
Getting a written answer for an address
The free check describes the area around your postcode. For a specific property, the full report checks your exact address against every flood dataset and gives you a dated PDF to share with your surveyor, conveyancer or insurer.
For planning decisions, your local council has the final say.
