CANAL restoration plans will only be approved if they do not further deplete low water levels in the Thames, says the Environ-ment Agency.

About 100 people attended a meeting of the Upper Thames Protection Society on Tuesday at Cricklade Town Hall.

The group called the meeting because it fears proposed canal developments and increased water consumption are depleting the river level.

They heard speakers from Thames Water, the Environment Agency and British Waterways, which wants to restore the Thames and Severn Canal, as well as the North Wilts Canal which links Swindon to Cricklade.

Graham Scholey, a conservation and technical specialist from the Environment Agency, said: "The Environment Agency is part of the partnership involved in restoring the canals but we are also an environmental regulator.

"Certain aspects of the development require permission, such as an abstraction licence to allow water to be taken from the river.

"We have made it pretty clear there is no chance of a licence to take water in the summer months when levels are low.

"The only option is to use water stored up during the winter months when the flows are high."

The canal development could use existing gravel pits to store the water, which would then be pumped to the canals.

British Waterways environmental manager Jonathan Briggs also attended the meeting.

He said: "The Thames and Severn is one of two historic waterways which make up the Cotswold Canals and, which once restored, will reconnect the rivers Thames and Severn.

"Other experts from the Environment Agency and Thames Water agreed excess winter water could provide enough water to supply the canal.

"But we need to look at the best way of collecting winter supplies for use in the summer.

"We will continue to work closely with the Environment Agency to determine the best way to supply the canal and ensure the Thames is protected."

Seymour Aitken, the chairman of the Upper Thames Society, said: "We are heartened by the fact the Environment Agency is clearly in control of such developments.

"We know the river's peaks and troughs. The question of whether these can be controlled to prevent droughts is an open one."

Bhavani Vadde