It is also no surprise to us that Thames Water is beginning its big push for a massive new reservoir in Oxfordshire with a public relations drive on the need for one. This is, after all, its weakest point.

Make no mistake, this proposed construction project is on an epic scale which, if approved, will have long-lasting effects on the county.

We can all understand that Thames Water might have an economic case for building a new reservoir. It is in the business of making money. The cheapest option for supplying large volumes of water is the one it will go for and it will charge the customer as much as it can for it.

This proposed reservoir would be the largest in the UK. It would involve a decade of construction and disruption and it would alter the character of the Vale forever.

The arguments are about far more than economics. They are arguments for governments and local authorities about the best way to conserve, retain and supply the stuff of life.

We get the feeling that many in authority see the reservoir as inevitable and are looking more towards getting the best deal for the county than to questioning the whole basis for the project in the first place.

We expect the Vale and county councils and the Government to be absolutely rigorous in their scrutiny of Thames Water's proposals.

The presumption should be against this reservoir unless Thames Water can demonstrate that our lives and livelihoods really do depend on it.