Double digger threat to parks
Friday May 15, 2009
Thames Water engineers could move into two of the borough's parks within weeks after magistrates said underground testing can begin.
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H&F Council had stopped the utility company from digging 'bore-holes' in Frank Banfield Park and Furnivall Gardens but, on May 7, Thames Water's lawyers persuaded West London magistrates to give them a warrant allowing them to test conditions underground.
In January, we reported warnings that Frank Banfield Park was under threat. Frank Banfield's widow - Doris - unveiled the revamped park, which has benefited from a £1milllion upgrade, last October.
Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh, H&F Council Leader, says: "When the council refused to allow these bore-holes to be dug, instead of explaining their plans openly to residents, Thames Water brought in the lawyers."
Bore-holes are used to test deep beneath the surface and create an underground map that could help decide where subterranean pipes are dug. Each site will be around 15 metres long and 10 metres wide and can test the ground 80 metres below.
Raj Bhatia, Chairman of Stamford Brook Residents Association, "This is a fundamental step for Thames Water to take. They would not be drilling bore-holes in these areas if they didn't believe the tunnel could go via this route."
If the super sewer is built Thames Water needs to dig a 30-metre-wide crater as entry point for the 18 mile-long pipe. The company claims the super sewer will prevent some sewage from flowing into the river when it rains heavily. In addition to a possible entry crater, there could be a number of smaller connecting shafts in the borough.
Furnivall Gardens is the second park targeted for bore-hole drilling. The much loved riverside gardens will be the site for two bore-holes and three other locations, including one next to Verbena Gardens and one on the Queen Caroline Estate, have also been listed by Thames Water.
The council supports moves to clean up the Thames but has opposed the £2.2. billion super-sewer as 'the wrong solution to the wrong problem'. Potentially spiralling costs and sensitive locations for drilling are proving a major headache for the utility giant and solving basement flooding is a more pressing concern for thousands of residents.
"This council is in favour of a cleaner Thames but we are questioning whether the cost, eight years of construction work and loss of valuable open space outweighs the fairly modest benefits," continues Cllr Greenhalgh.
Although Thames Water freely admit they do not know how much the tunnel will cost, the final fee is likely to be paid by water customers - with the risk of rising bills forcing many into water poverty. A council organised petition has been signed by nearly 2,000 local people opposed to Thames Water's plans.
Cllr Greenhalgh concludes: "The environmental benefits of the super sewer are very small compared to the financial and quality-of-life costs which are huge and still rising."
A Thames Water spoekman said: "We need to drill the boreholes in order to thoroughly investigate the ground conditions below the surface. The holes themselves will be small, but about 80 metres deep.
"We are digging at these locations because they are close to the combined sewer overflow points where sewage can enter the Thames during heavy rain. We will need to connect these overflows to the Thames Tunnel, and therefore need to assess the geological conditions in these areas.
"No diversions will be necessary, and we will maintain access to local roads. However, we would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience our work may cause. We are writing to local residents to update them on this."
Find the super-sewer petition at: http://tinyurl.com/5qxfsk (opens new window).
If you have any queries about Thames Water's bore-holes please call 0845 920 0800 quoting Thames Tunnel and your postcode.
