Concerns & Dates: The Thames Tunnel
As many residents will be aware Thames Water has identified a number of preferred sites locally needed to construct the Thames Tunnel, a major new sewer tackling the problem of increasing pollution in the River Thames due to sewage overflow. The three preferred sites locally include Barn Elms, Putney Bridge Foreshore and King Georges Park. Thames Water has also shortlisted sites along Lower Richmond Road and Leaders Gardens.
The Thames Tunnel project is a really important issue for residents and businesses locally. Although it will address the serious problem of untreated sewage being pumped directly into the Thames along the Putney stretch, a number of residents are concerned about how work on these sites will impact on our local community and what the long term impact on our local environment will be so I wanted to update you all following the public meeting I organised with Thames Water earlier in the month on what I have been doing as our local MP to ensure the Thames Tunnel works for us.
Open residents meeting with Justine Greening MP - 7.30pm, Wednesday 5 th January, St Mary’s Church, Putney
I am keen to meet residents and discuss our concerns face to face so I have organised a further residents meeting on Wednesday 5 th January from 7.30pm at St Mary’s Church, Putney to make sure I get to hear everyone’s concerns.
It will also give us a chance to discuss how we would like the working group to operate that I have suggested setting up. Hopefully it will be a forum that means we can have more regular, structured meetings with Thames Water going forward. I am keen to ensure Thames Water listen to residents and I believe a working group that meets regularly formed of representatives from Thames Water, local residents, local Councillors & myself, will help residents be heard. I am also interested to hear how you would like to be part of this so we can look at how the group can be most effective so please get in touch with me with your views by email at greeningj@parliament.uk.
Joint public meeting with Zac Goldsmith MP & Thames Water – 8.00pm, Thursday 13 th January, Holy Trinity Church, Barnes
Additionally, I have organised a joint meeting with Zac Goldsmith MP & Thames Water specifically to discuss the suitability of Barn Elms as a site for one of the main drive shafts. That meeting will be taking place on Thursday 13th January from 8.00pm at Holy Trinity Church, Castelnau, Barnes, SW13 9ET. The consultation closes at 5pm on Friday 14th January so it is vital that we use every opportunity to get our message across to Thames Water.
The suitability of Barn Elms as a site for one of the main drive shafts is something that Zac and I have been working together on to raise and press Thames Water to seriously consider other viable sites for the main drive shafts. I have also been scrutinising the selection process for this site and I am meeting separately with Thames Water to discuss alternative sites that have been considered, specifically brownfield sites, which I know is a point many residents raised at the public meeting.
In the meantime, you may want to take a look at Thames Water’s report on the selection of the Barn Elms site and Thames Water’s quick reference guide on the Barn Elms site which Thames Water have put together in response to some of the concerns I have raised.
Consultation deadline extended to 5pm on Friday 14th January 2011
Following pressure from myself and Zac Goldsmith MP, Thames Water agreed to extend the consultation period on the Thames Tunnel project until 5pm on Friday 14th January. It’s really important residents make the most of this and get our views in to Thames Water over the next couple of weeks. You can respond to the public consultation at www.thamestunnelconsultation.co.uk alternatively write to Thames Water directly at Thames Tunnel Consultation, Thames Water Utilities, Freepost SCE9923, PO BOX 522, Swindon, SN2 8LA or email to thames.tunnel@thameswater.co.uk.
The Thames Tunnel is a really important project for our local community so we must make sure our concerns are heard by Thames Water. I can assure you I am doing all I can as our local MP to make this happen.
Best wishes
Justine Greening MP
December 30, 2010