Over one hundred and twenty Fulham residents attended a public open meeting hosted and chaired by Greg Hands MP at St Matthew’s Church on Wednesday night, to pose questions to Thames Water about their Thames Tideway Tunnel (or “TTT”) project, known as the Super Sewer. The meeting was organised by Greg in response to the disappointing news that consent had been granted to the Tunnel in September, following recommendations of the Planning Inspectorate.
At present, planning consent has been granted for Thames Water to dig a main drive shaft for the Sewer from Carnwath Road Riverside. Construction is assumed to start in 2016 and to be completed by 2022. The scheme would cause major disruption to residents, with 24hr construction for up to 29 months, and has already added considerable cost to Thames Water customers’ bills.
Greg has long opposed the project coming to Carnwath Road and has fought alongside hundreds of residents, together with the previous Conservative run Council in Hammersmith and Fulham, to prevent the Tunnel from being dug from Fulham.
Attending the packed meeting were the Chief Executive of Thames Tideway Tunnel Ltd, Andy Mitchell, and Thames Water’s Head of Thames Tideway Tunnel, Phil Stride. Greg requested Thames Water and TTT agreed to attend the meeting so residents could have the opportunity to put their questions directly to Thames Water and TTT Ltd.
It was noted that there are four pending judicial review challenges against the project, but these could some time to resolve. Greg made clear at the meeting that it was important to discuss the impact of the ‘worst case scenario’ if the scheme ends up in Fulham.
Greg said at the meeting “If it turns out that the scheme isn’t coming to Carnwath Road, then of course I would be overjoyed. But while we await the outcome of the current legal challenges, I believe I can best serve my constituents by applying pressure on Thames Tideway Tunnel to ensure residents are listened to, and the interests of South Fulham are protected. I am therefore keen that residents receive the maximum changes, assurances and compensation from Thames Water, and that the detrimental impacts of the construction of this sewer are minimised as far as possible, if the scheme goes ahead as proposed.”
During the meeting residents raised points including the current judicial review challenges to the project, the selection of Carnwath Road rather than Barn Elms, the impacts of noise, vibrations and light pollution, the potential effects on health of residents, problems caused to local traffic, and the effects on local property markets, amongst other issues.
At the meeting, Andy Mitchell reported that many of the precise details of the likely environmental impact, and possible transport disruption are still under consideration, as the tendering for the subcontractors will not be completed until next year. However TTT Ltd were able to give a number of assurances to residents, and Greg Hands promised to follow up to ensure these commitments were kept.
Some of the immediate assurances given included:
- Phil Stride of Thames Water would visit the home of a resident immediately adjacent to the site to assess noise and vibrations
- Mr Stride would also talk to Stadium Housing Association about the situation of their residents
- Andy Mitchell committed to looking at providing double glazing “whoever it would help and make a difference to”, and said the “first priority [for noise] was quiet plant machinery and controlling noise at source”.
- Mr Mitchell said he would seek to reduce the number of daily HGV movements as low as possible from the planned 45 per day, by increasing the use of barges at the riverside site. Mr Mitchell said his “first preference was to get all the trucks off the road we can” and could look at building a jetty to maximise the use of the river.
- Mr Mitchell would also examine the possibility of health assessments of residents throughout the project
- Transport procedures, including the transport of workers to and from the site will be reviewed
- HGV traffic would be minimised during peak traffic times and during football matches
Greg impressed upon Thames Water the need to work with residents and local organisations, to listen carefully to concerns and to keep local people thoroughly updated on a regular basis. TTT Ltd agreed to set up liaison groups of local residents, schools and businesses, and Andy Mitchell has assured the meeting they will be “all ears” when it comes to talking with residents.
Greg intends to seek further concessions, mitigation and compensation from TTT Ltd over the coming months, as details of the project become clearer once the sub-contractors have been appointed.
Greg will hold TTT and Thames Water to account on all of their promises. Additionally, Greg promised to send the relevant sections of the Planning Inspectorate’s report explaining the selection of the site, to all those who attended the meeting and provided contact details or who have previously written to Greg about the Sewer.
Greg Hands commented after the meeting: “I am pleased the meeting was so well attended and I thank all those residents who gave up more than two hours of their evening to come and get answers from Thames Water. I and residents were able to make clear our strength of feeling against the project, and I would be delighted if the TTT does not end up in Carnwath Road. The purpose of the meeting was to see what we as residents can do if the Tunnel does come to Fulham. There were some useful assurances undertaken tonight, but this is not the end of the story. I shall continue to work with residents and to hold Thames Water to account on the promises made tonight.”
Residents are also invited to send further questions or concerns they have either to Greg at [email protected] or to the Thames Tideway Tunnel directors via [email protected].