Brussels must act to avert Olympics sewage disaster

10.34.35am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 16th Jun 2006

Sarah and Lib Dem GLA member Dee Doocey examining filthy river water

London's Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford, who took a petition of London residents against Thames sewage overflows to Brussels, is urging the European Commission to take legal action if necessary to force the UK government to approve the Thames Water £2 billion interceptor tunnel that all the experts agree is required to solve the problem.

Now even Thames Water admits that overflows from Abbey Mills pumping station at Stratford put the Olympics at risk.

Baroness Ludford said:

"The government must stop burying its head in the sand; the problem is going to get worse without the interceptor tunnel. It is crazy to put the success of the 2012 Olympics at risk of a disaster, with the planned athletes' village and aquatics centre bordering one of the worst sewage outflow sites."

"The government has been dodging its responsibilities on this for years. Londoners deserve more care for their health and the health of our great city. Brussels must step in forcefully to get action."

Notes

On April 10th 2002, the European Commission issued a "reasoned opinion" to the UK government asking it to outline plans within 2 months for rectifying the Thames sewage pollution problem, which breaches EU water quality laws. It is understood the UK government has now submitted its response and the Commission has to assess whether the proposed measures are adequate or whether it has to take the UK to the EU court, the European Court of Justice, for enforcement and possible fines.