MP for Chelsea and Fulham, Greg Hands, is disappointed but not surprised at the Planning Inspectorate’s recommendation for Thames Water’s main drive shaft for the Super Sewer to be in Carnwath Road, in Fulham.
On Friday 12th September the Planning Inspectorate recommended the Thames Tideway Tunnel go ahead, including the use of Carnwath Road Riverside as a site for a main drive shaft.
Having fought on behalf of local residents for many years to try and find a more suitable site for the drive shaft, rather than at Carnwath Road, Greg said: “Today’s news comes as a disappointment, but not a surprise, as we have known that Thames Water wanted Carnwath Road, not Barn Elms. I and many hundreds of local residents have fought to stop this coming to Carnwath Road for years, and I want to thank them all for their support.
“I am pleased to have had the chance to represent local people in this matter and to have presented their views in written evidence, speaking at public meetings with the Planning Inspectorate, participating in two large public summits and numerous meetings with residents’ groups.
“This will be surely be disappointing for many local residents who will face massive disruption from construction work. I am therefore now keen to work with Thames Water on reducing the detrimental impact of the construction on local residents wherever possible.
“I shall continue to liaise with residents to make sure Thames Water listens to them, and that together, residents and I fight to get the best deal for Fulham we can.”
The tunnel will run from the Acton Storm Tanks in West London to the Abbey Mills pumping station in East London, with a storage capacity of 1,250,000 cubic metres. Construction is expected to start in 2016 and be completed by 2023.