Retrieved from: Guardian
“The plan to build a £3.6bn “super sewer” to collect the millions of tonnes of raw sewage that over flows into the river Thames after heavy rain must be rethought to save money, the leaders of 14 city councils will tell environment minister Richard Benyon on Monday.
“In an unprecedented move, the councils have set up a commission of “independent” experts to examine Thames Water’s case for the 20 mile long tunnel which could cost more than Wembley and the Olympic stadium and park together.
“Benyon will be told that the scheme will cost all 14 million Thames Water customers – one in four of all ratepayers in England – an extra £10 a month “for life” and, in the councils’ opinion, will not fix the problem of drains overflowing sewage into the river. The leaders argue that there are greener and cheaper alternatives.
“At a time when our public services are under intense pressure, Londoners cannot afford to effectively write a blank cheque for this scheme without proper scrutiny, accountability and debate. Doing nothing is not an option, but we need to consider the possibility that there are better alternatives. On a recent trip to Chicago I heard how very few world cities are approaching it in this way – many realise that a tunnel-only option is not the best solution,” said Hammersmith and Fulham Tory council Leader Stephen Greenhalgh, who has led the pressure for a rethink and whose council will fund the commission.
“The councils, who downplay the pollution caused saying it is only 5% of the flow into the river and only happens four times year, have appointed prominent Tory peer Lord Selborne, a former member of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution and Lloyds bank director, to chair the commission which is expected to report back within months.”
Read more: Guardian
Recent Comments