In January 2025 the Chancellor reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor to help kickstart economic growth, highlighting the potential of the corridor to unlock £78 billion for the UK economy by 2035. Capitalising on the region's excellence in science and innovation will ensure that world-class research translates to commercial success. Last week the Government announced over £500 million investment for new homes, infrastructure and business space for the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor.

The Environment Agency is uniquely positioned to support this latest development in the government's growth mission while protecting and enhancing our environment. From planning advice to regulatory decisions, they are committed to enabling development that works for both the economy and the environment.

The government’s renewed focus on the Oxford to Cambridge Corridor offers the opportunity to plan strategically across boundaries to ensure appropriate water infrastructure is included early in planning and help shape sustainable growth. The Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor has significant existing water pressures that need to be considered alongside growth ambitions and a changing climate.

The Environment Agency’s Oxford to Cambridge team is working collaboratively to lead this shift, testing and trialling new approaches, generating evidence, and shaping change to move toward an integrated model for water management that supports both growth and the environment. In this webinar the team will share their programme of work, showcasing two of their latest projects. The first of these is looking at joining up drainage, wastewater and surface water planning. The project pilots a method of integrating surface water and wastewater, planning to demonstrate how joined-up local planning can work. The second project looks at forecasting Future Water Demand in non-household sectors, exploring some of the challenges that occur when planning appropriate infrastructure for the future.

This webinar is free and open to all. 

Our speakers

Dan Curtis

With over 20 years' experience as an environmental and project management professional at the Environment Agency, Dan specialises in integrated water management and sustainable land use planning. He has worked in the Oxford to Cambridge team for 5 years and leads the delivery of their Integrated Water Management programme.  

Ceri Lewis

Ceri has worked for the Environment Agency for 12 years and the OxCam team for 6 years, initially joining as a data specialist focusing on mapping natural capital and ecosystems services, before transitioning to managing the Environment Agency's project programme. Ceri has a degree in geography and holds an APM project management qualification. His professional career, before joining the OxCam team, has covered water resources and flood incident management planning and response. Ceri leads the team in identifying gaps in evidence, ways to improve working, and scoping out new projects. Alongside his day job, Ceri supports the Environment Agency’s vital role in responding to flood incidents as a Flood Warning Duty Officer.

Juliet Savage

Juliet recently joined the team earlier this year as communications and engagement specialist. Following a previous career in sport and education, she has over 15 years' experience working at the Environment Agency. She joined the Environment Agency as a River and Costal Engineer and quickly moved into communications and engagement. She has led engagement on major projects including the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme, the Jubilee Flood Relief Channel and the Thames Valley Flood Scheme.

Brianne Vally

Brianne joined the Environment Agency in 2017 and has worked with some of the most at-risk communities, helping to reduce their flood risk and improve their resilience. Brianne holds a degree in Emergency Management and is a member of CIWEM (the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management). She has been a technical specialist in the OxCam team for over two years, working with consultants and water sector professionals to lead on projects as part of the Integrated Water Management Programme. Brianne also supports the Environment Agency’s flood response, working closely with partner organisations to help provide a coordinated approach during severe weather.   

Header image credit: © MNStudio | Adobe Stock