Ken Livingstone has welcomed a Government announcement that a new sewer will be built from Hammersmith and Abbey Mills to Beckton to stop sewage overflowing into the Thames.
London’s sewer system was designed to overflow into the Thames rather than into London’s streets and properties however this causes damage to the environment and threatens to reverse recent successes in cleaning up the river.
Mayor Livingstone called the decision by Environment Minister Ian Pearson as “fantastic news for London” adding “it is simply not acceptable for a leading world city to have sewage flowing freely into the Thames, causing suffering to London’s wildlife, affecting health and damaging recreational and leisure facilities on the Thames.”
“I have repeatedly called for this kind of solution. It is a huge project, but this is essential for future generations of Londoners. All the other options I have seen are either more expensive or would result in a project that would probably need expanding in a few years time. I expect this sewage tunnel to serve London for at least 100 years.”
