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Thames Water makes move to acquire land for 'Supersewer'


Thames Water has written to the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (LBHF) requesting to buy land from the Council which it needs to build its proposed 'Thames Tideway Tunnel'. 

Thames Water has sent a series of maps to the Council which outline the land along the Thames which it wants to buy. It is seeking to acquire the land "by agreement", which it said it is "obliged" to do before it can apply to acquire the land by way of a Compulsory Purchase Order.

“As you may be aware, we need to acquire some property interests from you," said Chris Stratford, Thames Water's planning consents manager, in an email entitled ‘Thames Water seek to acquire an interest in LBHF land’, according to a statement by LBHF. "We are obliged to seek to do this by agreement before applying for compulsory purchase powers”.

Thames Water published its finalised proposals for the Thames Tideway Tunnel, called the 'Supersewer’, in July, which are open to a public consultation which is scheduled to run until 5 October.

Thames Water's proposed Thames Tideway Tunnel is a 15 mile tunnel which would run 75 metres beneath the riverbed through central London and would capture storm sewage from overflow points along the river.

The Tunnel was designated a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) by the Secretary of State in February because of the scheme's importance.

Thames Water has sent a number of maps to the LBHF which outline the  land the company wants to acquire. Proposed sites include parts of Carnwath Road in Fulham, Chancellors Road and Distillery Road in Hammersmith as well as areas around Frank Banfield Park in Hammersmith and the Emlyn Gardens Estate near Wendell Park.

Not all of the highlighted areas on the maps will be needed for the project, Thames Water said.

Despite plans for the proposed project progressing, the Council has voiced its concerns over the Thames Tideway Tunnel, which it claims will have a "devastating impact" on the area.  Industry experts have also stated that the water quality in the Thames could be improved by cheaper, greener and less disruptive methods.

“If threatening to blight our lives and our wallets wasn’t bad enough, Thames Water now appear intent on blighting our homes and property," said Greg Smith, leader of LBHF. "The maps they have sent us - highlighting homes, offices, parks and roads – show the truly devastating impact the sewer could have if construction work is not prevented."

"We remain 100% opposed to the super sewer not only because it will turn residents’ lives upside down and bring massive disruption to communities across London but because we know there are cheaper, greener and less disruptive alternatives,” he said.

The Council has backed alternative methods to prevent river pollution, which include the utilisation of sustainable urban drainage. This method uses a combination of water butts, green roofs and permeable pavements to conserve and recycle rainwater instead of letting it spill into the sewers.

Following its letter to LBHF, Thames Water plans to contact 14 other London Boroughs and stakeholders with interests in land along the proposed pipeline route, with a view to acquiring more land that is needed for the construction of the Tunnel.

Thames Water's annual revenue could be increased by £162 million if the 'super sewer' project is completed, according to water economics experts. 

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