Thames Tideway Given Green Light

The UK government has approved plans for a 30 km tunnel for sewage and rainwater runoff under the Thames in a massive project estimated to cost at least £2 billion.

The project, will be the largest of its kind undertaken in the UK, is set to be delivered by 2019/20 It is estimated that 52 million cubic metres of untreated sewage and rainwater pollute the rivers Thames and Lee each year. The planned tunnel will intercept sewage and rain water discharges along the length of the river and transport the waste water for treatment in East London.

Environment minister Ian Pearson said the project would clean up the Thames and 'make it fit for the 21st century'.

UK water regulator Ofwat said while it welcomes the clarity brought by the decision, it remains 'concerned about the value for money for water customers of this very costly scheme in terms of the health and environmental improvements it will deliver'.

The Consumer Council for Water (CCWater) highlighted that 'significant cost overruns typify such large construction projects, and there is no guarantee that the starting price will hold.'