Thames Water has published a guide to the types of compensation it will be making available as a result of its proposals for the Tideway Tunnel “supersewer” – including the ultimate option of compulsory purchase.

The guide covers the different types of compensation which may be available for people who become affected by the proposed Thames Tunnel project.

Introducing the guide, the water company said the compensation programme went beyond the legal requirements to ensure that those who own a property, live or work near the proposed worksites would have some protection.

Compensation has already been made available via an exceptional hardship fund established in August 2011 for people who have a pressing need to sell their property but are unable to do so because of the proposals. All applications need to meet set criteria and are assessed by an independent panel.

During construction, disturbance compensation may be available for damage or loss for what Thames decribes as “in the unlikely event a property is damaged because of our construction works.” It may also be available in the event of financial loss because of construction of the tunnel.

Further compensation may also be available in the form of mitigation or protection measures, such as secondary double glazing, to be installed by Thames if people experience problems with the effects of construction, such as excessive noise.

Thames Water also has the ultimate option of compulsory purchase. The company said property owners would be compensated in accordance with relevant legislation if it needs to purchase land or acquire other property rights. The Guide says Thames may need to acquire or take rights over land on either a temporary or permanent basis to build the project. However, the policy applies only to the compulsory purchase of property made once the utility has permission to proceed with the project. It does not apply to property it may have to purchase beforehand.  If it transpires that the company does not need all of the land acquired by compulsory purchase, it will be offered back to its original owners at market value before putting it on the market.

The company said details of how to make a claim would be published once it started setting up the sites to begin construction.

Commenting on the possible compensation package, Phil Stride, Head of London Tideway Tunnels at Thames Water, said:

“We recognise that the Thames Tunnel would be one of London’s biggest construction projects, which is why we’re taking extra steps to provide protection. The compensation programme outlines the compensation available now and what will be available during construction.

“The programme further demonstrates our commitment to protecting local communities, and will hopefully alleviate some of the concerns raised.”

Another stormy consultation meeting in prospect?

The company is likely to need deep pockets, with the potential for the next scheduled public meeting to discuss its proposals likely to follow the same heated path with local opponents as previous events.

Thames Water’s next public meeting to discuss its plans on the proposed use of Chambers Wharf as one of the construction sites for the Tunnel takes place at 8.00pm in Committee Room 5 at City Hall, 110 The Queens Walk, London, SE1 2AA. The meeting is being hosted and chaired by Val Shawcross, London Assembly member for Lambeth and Southwark. 

Phil Stride and Richard Aylard, External Affairs and Sustainability Director from Thames Water, who will be attending the meeting to answer questions, look set to face another stormy ride from vocal opponents from the Save Your Riverside Action Group. The Group counts actor Sir Patrick Stewart among its members, who will also be present at the meeting.

In December the actor’s outspoken criticism received extensive media coverage when he said that if the proposed work went ahead at Chambers Wharf it would transform a very pleasant, tranquil area into an industrial site for 7 years, with the movement of lorries and the plans for working hours potentially 3 years 24/7, including extended hours up to 11 o’clock at night. Sir Patrick said the river tranquillity would be “truly devastated” by the work.

To add to Thames’ woes, just before Christmas the company was also the target of accusations that it had used security consultants to spy on the scheme’s opponents. Leader of Tower Hamlets Labour Group Councillor Joshua Peck said on Twitter on 19^th December that he was “disappointed that Thames Water had refused to answer any of my questions about whether its security consultants have been spying on opponents.”

The construction of the Thames Tunnel is currently proposed to start in 2016.