Thames Tideway Tunnel

The problem of untreated sewage flooding straight into the Thames whenever there is heavy rainfall in the capital is one that affects Putney as well as the wider environment.

Thames Water are now proposing to build a new "super-sewer" - the London Tideway Tunnel - which will follow the course of the river from West London (where much of the sewage that affects Putney is jettisoned from) to the Isle of Dogs and then on to Beckton treatment works.

This is a massive engineering task and a controversial one - a meeting was held on Monday in Hammersmith where experts and consumer groups questioned the effectiveness of the project.

I start from the basis that something needs to be done to reduce the amount of raw sewage contaminating the Thames - a problem that stems back to the way our Victorian sewer network was built in the 19th century but which, through population growth and a reduction in the amount of green space available in London to absorb rainwater, has overflowed more and more frequently. The problem is now so bad that Thames Water has regularly been fined for the leaks, not least last year during that Summer's heavy rains.

But I do want any work to be effective - so I've asked Thames Water to brief me more fully on the plans. When they do, I'll report back, but in the meantime you can find out more about the London Tideway Tunnel here.