Thames Water flooding meeting

Wednesday August 12, 2009

Thames Water officials will appear at a special council run scrutiny meeting next month to explain their plans to minimise basement flooding in the borough.

Representatives from the water company are expected to provide an update on their proposals for works to the Counters Creek area at a special Cleaner Greener Scrutiny Committee on September 17.

The Counters Creek catchment covers much of the borough's sewer system and – following complaints from residents about repeated basement flooding – Thames Water approached water regulator Ofwat for funds to develop plans to reduce flooding in the area.

Thames Water bosses faced a flood of outrage from the residents of Askew Road, Boscombe Road, Greyhound Road and Hammersmith Grove at a similar scrutiny meeting last year.

Some residents have been flooded three of four times since 2004 and were astonished when Thames Water officials told them that the £2.2 billion super-sewer will do ‘absolutely nothing to alleviate flooding in the borough’.

Cllr Nick Botterill, Cabinet Member for Environment, says: “I am pleased that Thames Water has agreed to attend this meeting to explain exactly how they are progressing with plans to minimise basement flooding in the borough.

“Minimising basement flooding must be the top priority for Thames Water and not their ill-thought out super-sewer – which does not address the on-going problems faced by many local people.”

The meeting – which is open to the public – starts at 7pm on Thursday, September 17, 2009 in the Small Hall at Hammersmith Town Hall.

» Download the Thames Water Counters Creek study findings and proposals document (pdf 485KB)