Mayor Boris Johnson is at odds with Hammersmith and Fulham Council over the planned Thames Tideway Tunnel, nicknamed the "super sewer", reports local On-line Press http://www.hammersmithtoday.co.uk/ http://www.fulhamsw6.com and http://www.shepherdsbushw12.com/

10.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 3rd Sep 2009

Furnival Gardens

On 28 August, London Mayor Boris Johnson released his draft Water Strategy for London, outlining many challenges which the capital will be facing. There are serious issues to be considered as our population is expected to rise from 7.5 million to over 9 million by 2031 with hotter summers due to climate change, and even more Victorian sewers overflowing due to heavy rain storms.

Of particular interest to residents in Hammersmith & Fulham is the Mayor's clear statement of support for "the building of the Thames Tideway tunnel under the Thames and the river Lee to greatly reduce discharges of sewage into the river and improve the quality of the water in the River Thames."

"This clearly contradicts the views held by our local Tory Councillors in Hammersmith & Fulham Council as well as the Tory Parliamentary candidate for Hammersmith who have been most vocal in their opposition to what has dubbed the super sewer" Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokeswoman for Hammersmith, Merlene Emerson was quoted saying.

"Not only had the Council unreasonably refused Thames Water's application to drill exploratory bore holes (since defeated by Court order, at needless expense to residents) but have also run an on-line petition seeking the public's support in resisting the building of the tunnel."

Mike Tuffrey, leader of the Lib Dems in the London Assembly will be asking the Mayor to request Stephen Greenhalgh, leader of H&F Council work more co-operatively with Thames Water and the Environment Agency.

"It is only through cooperation that this vital work can be done quickly, efficiently and at least cost to residents. Instead of finding solutions for Londoners, our local Tories appear to be campaigning against the super sewer as a way of winning popular votes" concluded Merlene.