Thames tunnel

The construction of the Thames Tunnel Opens in a new windowreceived ministerial approval in March 2007. The proposed scheme involves a single tunnel running from west London eastwards, largely following the River Thames down to the Beckton sewage treatment works. The tunnel will take raw sewage overflowing into the river from combined sewers between Hammersmith and Beckton.

Development of the tunnel aims to ensure that the UK complies with the European rules on the management of waste water treatment and discharges.

While borough perspectives vary on the need for a tunnel, as opposed to other options for dealing with raw sewage overflowing into the Thames, one area of London-wide consensus has been the concern over the cost of the scheme. Cost estimates have more than doubled since the original announcement in 2007 and are now estimated at £3.6 billion.

At our instigation, Thames Water set up the Thames Tunnel Forum.  This group meets quarterly and has worked with Thames Water to shape TW's approach to the construction.

Between September 2010 and January 2011 Thames Water undertook a phase one public consultation Opens in a new windowon alternative options for the construction of the tunnel.  Read the London Councils response to this consultation Opens in a new window. A report setting out Thames Water’s response to the consultation Opens in a new windowwas published in March 2011.

A second round of consultation commenced Opens in a new windowin November 2011, with a response deadline of 9 February. Thames Water aims to begin submitting planning applications by the middle of 2012, start construction in 2013 and complete the project by 2020.

Apart from the very real concern about escalating costs, London Councils has been pressing Thames Water and the government over other issues including:

• The need for Londoners, through their elected representatives, to have a stronger say in the process for granting planning consent for the project than may be afforded by the government’s preferred route – the Infrastructure Planning Commission; (read the London Councils response to consultation on a draft waste water national policy statement Opens in a new window) and

• The need to maximise the skills and employment opportunities presented by this major scheme for Londoners.