Mayor of London Boris Johnson has written a letter to Thames Water outlining his concern about the projected cost of the Thames Tunnel.

In the letter, addressed to Richard Aylard, External Affairs and Sustainability Director, Johnson expresses his doubts on the control over the project cost. Mr Johnson’s advisers have been in discussion with Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Minister Richard Benyon concerning the matter, with the mayor wanting Mr Benyon to take direct control of the project’s cost.

The letter states:

“I want him to build in incentives to ensure that the project is built to the lowest reasonable cost and to ensure that there are no perverse incentives to you (Thames Water) to make this asset as big as possible.”

Johnson goes on to say that Thames Water customers must be protected from the cost of the project through a “funding mechanism that enables customers to pay for the necessary infrastructure in a finite amount of time.”

Recent legislation has been passed that means the Government will subsidise the Thames Tunnel project.

Four sites which will be affected by the scheme are also mentioned by Mr Johnson.  He has said that construction at the site of Chamber Wharf would be “intolerable for local people” and that Thames Water should re-examine the area for a better alternative site.

Thames Water is also criticised for not planning to make use of water transport at the proposed Carnwath Road, a busy urban area, while a construction site on Kirtling Street may undermine the regeneration of the Vauxhall Nine Elms Opportunity Area, Mr Johnson claimed.

"Chambers Wharf, if selected as a super sewer site, will increase Thames Water’s profits"

The Save Your Riverside Action Group which was set up to fight Thames Water’s proposals for Chambers Wharf has welcomed the move by Boris Johnson to question what it describes as "the outrageous cost and inappropriate sites proposed for the super sewer."

Andrew Or, from Save Your Riverside commented:

We have proved that Chambers Wharf is not necessary as a site for the super sewer and ask that Thames Water listen to us and find an alternative solution. Chambers Wharf is a wholly unsuitable site as it is adjacent to schools and homes putting children’s health at risk through thousands of lorry movements, dust and noise pollution 24/7 disrupting their education for over 7 years. Chambers Wharf, if selected as a super sewer site, will increase Thames Water’s profits unnecessarily blighting local residents. Our local politicians support us against the use of Chambers Wharf and we urge Thames Water to reconsider.”