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Smells fishy!
THAMES Water is accused of embarking on a public relations charm offensive in a bid to push through plans for a £2.2 billion super sewer, writes Glenn McMahon.
The council, along with residents in Hammersmith and Fulham (H&F) expressed deep concern the 20-mile long sewage storage tank will cause unacceptable disruption to parks and open spaces along the banks of the Thames.
Thames Water (TW) says the Thames Tideway Tunnel (TTT) is essential to prevent sewage flooding into the Thames and to meet EU directives.
But Raj Bhatia, chairman of the Stamford Brook Residents' Association, said: "The few benefits of the super sewer are completely outweighed by the negative human and financial costs.
"Many of the sites that are chosen will not be ruined for just eight years during construction, but forever, as on-going maintenance will be necessary. Thames Water needs to have an urgent re-think and re-examine the alternatives before it is too late."
The tunnel will start in west London and finish in Beckton Sewage Treatment Works, in east London, running up to 75m below the Thames.
Thames Water will announce the areas affected by construction of the project in September but has distributed leaflets promoting the need for the tunnel.
A Thames Water spokeswoman said: "We are consulting the relevant authorities about the optimum route of the tunnel and the process for selecting works sites.
"We have not made any final decisions on the exact locations we will need to construct and operate the Thames Tunnel. A public consultation on our preferred route and construction sites will start in September."
Thames Water hope to have planning applications approved in 2012 so construction can begin in 2013 and finish by 2020.
Cllr Greg Smith, H&F cabinet member for resident services, said: "Residents want to know which sites Thames Water is proposing to blight during the construction phase now.
"Maybe they are being secretive because the apparent environmental and health benefits simply do not justify the colossal financial cost and massive disruption to residents' lives.
"We have some of the best open spaces in London - including three Green Flag parks - and this council will fight tooth and nail to protect them."
The council also said Thames Water should be considering a cheaper and less disruptive alternative.
A spokeswoman for neighbouring Westminster Council said it had no concerns over the project but would keep abreast of developments.
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Hammersmith&Kensington
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