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Simon Hughes MPRepresenting Southwark and Bermondsey since 1983 |
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Simon Hughes MP calls for an independent review of the Thames Tunnel
February 6, 2012 9:00 PM
Tonight at the Save Your Riverside public meeting at Wade Hall, Simon Hughes, the MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, made a statement on the proposed Thames Tunnel development in which he called for an independent review of whether a long tunnel remains the best approach to meet the environmental objectives that have been defined for the Thames.
The full text of his statement can be found below:
Rt Hon Simon Hughes MP
Statement on proposed Thames Tunnel - 06/02/2012
- After widespread and intensive local discussion, I made full submissions as part of the first round of the consultation process into plans for a Thames Tunnel, including in opposition to the choice of King's Stairs Gardens. In the last few months, I have again taken the time to listen carefully to all the arguments put forward both in opposition to and support of a 'super' tunnel being constructed to help clean up London's waterways. The current proposal sees that tunnel running from Acton Storm Tanks in west London to Abbey Mills Pumping Station in east London, with a major proposed intersection point in Southwark. On purpose therefore, I have not rushed into a response to the second set of plans by Thames Water for the tunnel. I have wanted to give all sides involved in the debate the opportunity to put their points forward in correspondence and meetings with me and also to give a considered response to these plans which are not just important for my constituents who may be directly affected by work being carried out in our neighbourhood but also for all Londoners.
After giving careful thought to the arguments and evidence presented to me, I am persuaded that there is now a need for an INDEPENDENT review of whether a long tunnel remains the best approach to meet the environmental objectives that have been defined for the Thames. I now therefore propose that a review panel be set up urgently which will publicly report to government, parliament, the GLA and London councils before Thames Water draw up their final plans or submit any planning application.
Among other material, the review panel should specifically consider the Defra Select Committee report on the Waste Water National Policy Statement, the Thames Tunnel Commission report (the Selborne Commission) and the Project Justification Review by Professor Chris Binnie.
I suggest that the United Nations Environment Programme, the European Commission Environment Directorate-General, Defra, the Environment Agency, Ofwat, the GLA, the Local Government Association, London Councils, the Consumer Council for Water, Water UK and each of the three major political parties be asked to nominate representatives.
- If the review panel finds that the full Thames Tunnel is the best approach - both in terms of cost effectiveness and environmental benefits - then I believe that Thames Water needs to reconsider aspects of their current preferred model.
Of all the proposed locations for the main tunnel sites, Chambers Wharf is one of the most adversely affected by current proposals. Yet in comparison to other main tunnel drive sites such as Carnwath Road Riverside, Kirtling Street and Dormay Street or Abbey Mills Pumping Station, which is currently being proposed as a single reception site, Chambers Wharf has a large number of households and residents in the immediate vicinity, as well as three schools. There must therefore be a review of alternatives to Chambers Wharf on the north or south bank of the river which have less impact on residential and community activity. King's Stairs Gardens is clearly not an acceptable alternative.
If an alternative to Chambers Wharf cannot be found, the tunnel should be driven from Abbey Mills and Kirtling Street and not from Chambers Wharf.
In addition, the spur tunnel from Greenwich to Chambers Wharf should be replaced with a spur tunnel from Greenwich to a site in the Limehouse area and following a route which connects in the best way possible with Deptford Church Street, Deptford Storm Relief CSO, Earl Pumping Station and Earl Pumping Station CSO, with Greenwich remaining as the drive site.