VILLAGERS will be able to have their say on plans by Thames Water to build a reservoir the size of Heathrow Airport near Abingdon at a drop-in session.

Thames Water revealed in August that it would take its ‘water resources strategy’ , which includes the reservoir, back to the people for a second consultation.

It followed calls from Oxfordshire County Council, MP Ed Vaizey and village campaigners for more input.

Now residents from across southern Oxfordshire will be able to make their views known at a drop-in session between 2pm and 7pm at Steventon Village Hall on Thursday.

Sarah McMath, Thames Water strategic planning and investment director, said the reservoir would become a ‘vital’ part of the region’s water supply network in times of drought but added: “However, we appreciate any major infrastructure project will divide opinion and this is why we’re asking for feedback on our plan from as many people as possible.”

An initial consultation on the plan ran between February and April this year and received more than 500 responses.

Changes since then include moving forward the completion date from 2043 to 2037.

Thames Water’s latest phase of consultation was launched on October 3 and will end on November 28.

For those unable to make the Steventon event, visit thameswater.co.uk