Residents can register as an ‘interested party' enabling them to to present their views

I just wanted to keep you updated with the Thames Tunnel proposals. Thames Water submitted their final detailed proposals for the Thames Tunnel to the Planning Inspectorate in March 2013, following a two phased consultation that started in September 2010 which I know many residents responded to.

The Planning Inspectorate has now confirmed that the application for Development Consent for the Thames Tideway Tunnel is valid and the Inspectorate will now conduct an independent public examination of the proposal.

The Thames Water's submission is available to view via the Planning Inspectorate's website: http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk

Local residents interested in the Thames Tunnel can now register with the Planning Inspectorate to take part in the examination of the application as an ‘interested party' if you wish to do so. As an ‘interested party' you will be able to present your views to the Examining Authority, a panel of up to five Inspectors appointed by the Inspectorate, and attend meetings or hearings. Representations must be made to the Inspectorate using the Registration and Relevant Representation Form available at the website address above or by telephoning 0303 444 5000, and you need to register before the 28th May 2013.

There will also be a hard copy of the full documentation available to the public at the London Rowing Club, Embankment, Putney, SW15 1LB and Wandsworth Town Hall (Civic Suite), Wandsworth High Street, SW18 2PU between 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) until 28th May 2013.

The Inspectorate's examination of the proposal is expected to take about six months from the date of the Preliminary Meeting. Once the examination has concluded the Inspectorate will make a recommendation to Government Ministers, who will make the final decision. If consent is granted, preparatory construction work on the project is scheduled to start in 2015, with main tunnelling due to begin in 2016. The target completion date is 2023.

I hope that is a helpful update. I will be registering as an interested party so I will keep you updated as things progress.

Yours sincerely

Rt Hon Justine Greening MP

May 10, 2013