Government finally to tackle Thames sewage

2.51.21pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 28th Jul 2006

A long-awaited government announcement of plans to tackle the sewage situation in the River Thames in line with EU clean water laws has been welcomed by London's Liberal Democrat Euro-MP Baroness Sarah Ludford, who campaigned successfully for Brussels intervention.

DEFRA has outlined two options being considered to meet European obligations on sewage treatment and water quality and head off EU legal action. The first option proposes a single tunnel over 30 km long to cover the length of the tidal Thames while the second envisages two separate shorter tunnels in West and East London.

Sarah Ludford commented:

"DEFRA's announcement marks the first time the government has made a public commitment to tackling the sewage problem in the Thames as European law requires."

"This welcome progress is a tribute to the untiring work of campaigners in London as well as the organisations which drew up the Thames Tideway Strategic Study and the European Commission."

"Londoners must be vigilant that the government does not cut corners in a bid for false economy. The single long tunnel to intercept discharges along the whole length of the tidal Thames and transport the waste for treatment at an upgraded Crossness is clearly the best option."

"The two short tunnels solution means that 17 sewage outflows in central London would carry on pouring raw sewage into the Thames on average once a week."

"This is not the moment for a sticking plaster approach. Londoners need an effective and durable solution giving them at last the clean river they deserve."

Notes:

DEFRA's announcement is available at http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2006/060727d.htm

Baroness Sarah Ludford took a petition to the European Parliament in May 2005 calling for an end to the massive raw sewage discharges polluting the River Thames. The Thames Tideway strategic Study was drawn up by the Environment Agency, DEFRA, OFWAT, the GLA and Thames Water.