Head of the Environment Agency Lord Chris Smith has described Thames Water’s proposed “ super-sewer” as a necessity, not an option.

Lord Smith’s comments came in a speech at a ceremony to mark the 30th anniversary of the London Wildlife Trust, when he described current problems of sewage entering the Thames as the worst sewage pollution problem in the UK.

Lord Smith said:

"London needs a 21st-century sewerage system to bring it up to the standards of other UK and EU cities. The Thames Tideway offers the best value for money and the environment, and will help prevent sewage overflowing into the river after heavy rainfall."

However, while Thames Water estimates the projected cost of £3.6bn for the tunnel could add around £50 a year to the average water bill, other estimates put the figure much higher.

Thames Water is currently conducting the second phase of a major public consultation on the plans launched in November but faces concerted and vocal opposition from local councils and other groups affected by the proposed building works. Construction work on the super-sewer tunnel, which would run 32km beneath the route of the river through London, will take at least seven years.

The consultation, which ends on 10th February, has included a number of heated debates at public meetings where Phil Stride, Head of London Tideway Tunnels and Richard Aylard Director of External Affairs and Sustainability have appeared in person to speak for Thames.

Environmental NGOs support super-sewer proposals

However, the tunnel has received strong support from other quarters, particularly environmental organisations. The London Wildlife Trust belongs to the Thames Tunnel Now Coalition, which also counts  the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, WWF-UK, Waterways Association, River Thames Society, Mammal Society and Marine Conservation Society amongst its members.

Set up in October last year, the Coalition described the situation as “a large scale problem which requires a large scale solution for the capital for at least the next 120 years.”

The Coalition said:

“It will cost £3.6 billion, and will be paid for by Thames Water customers; each household will pay £60-65 extra a year, with bills starting to rise in 2013. Thames Water bills are currently among the lowest in the country and the new higher rates will still be lower than many other water companies’ in the UK.

Construction of the tunnel will create 4,000 direct jobs and many more associated jobs as well as a clean and healthy tidal river which could support many thousands more employment opportunities in recreation, leisure and tourism industries of the future.”

Carlo Laurenzi OBE, Chief Executive of London Wildlife Trust decribed the Thames Tunnel as an important project for the long term health of the River Thames.