The Counters Creek storm relief sewer would have run from Hammersmith to Sands End with construction points in five locations.
Plans for a storm relief sewer running through the east of the borough have been ditched by Thames Water.
The company announced last month it has scrapped its proposals for the Counters Creek sewer, which would have run from Hammersmith, through Fulham to the Thames at Sands End. Thames Water said the decision was made as 1,300 recently installed Flooding Local Improvement Project (FLIP) devices had reduced the need for further intervention.
Following two major burst pipes in H&F, the news has been given a cautious welcome.
“Those residents who would have been affected by the drain’s construction are rightfully celebrating this news,” said Cllr Wesley Harcourt, H&F Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Residents’ Services.
“However, we’ve had two major flooding incidents from burst pipes in recent weeks, so we’ll be pressing Thames Water to assure us that they’ll still be able to protect against flooding in the future.”
Better ways to prevent flooding
Thames Water found a reduced need for the new sewer, after investigations and modelling following the installation of 1,300 FLIP devices.
A FLIP is a small, self-contained pumping unit installed at properties to transfer sewage and rainwater from private drains to the main sewer even during heavy rain.
Changed plans
Hammersmith & Fulham Council had been working on behalf of residents concerned construction of the sewer would affect their standard of life through noise, vibration and other disruption.
In 2015 the council persuaded Thames Water to drop five of its most contentious construction locations.
The future
Instead of constructing the tunnel, Thames Water will now continue with its installation programme of FLIP devices and will be contacting all customers who have reported flooding previously to agree individual flood protection solutions.
It will also continue to monitor the performance of pilot Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) schemes which were installed at several locations across H&F to reduce problems of localised flooding.
Share your flooding concerns
Thames Water has now invited residents to special drop-in sessions to hear why the scheme is no longer proceeding and to raise any further concerns they may have about flooding, or report incidents of flooding in their homes.
All sessions will take place in February at the following locations:
- Wednesday 7: Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School, 89 Addison Road, W14 8BZ, 6pm-9pm
- Tuesday 13: Chelsea Academy, Lots Road, SW10 0AB, 6pm-8pm
- Thursday 15: St Mary’s Abbot Centre, Vicarage Gate, W8 4HN, 6.30pm-8.30pm
- Saturday 17: Masbro Centre, 87 Masbro Road, W14 0LR, 11am-3pm
- Monday 19: Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School, 89 Addison Road, W14 8BZ, 6pm-9pm
- Wednesday 21: St Mary’s Abbot Centre, Vicarage Gate, W8 4HN, 6.30pm-8.30pm
- Tuesday 27: Masbro Centre, 87 Masbro Road, W14 0LR, 6pm-8pm
- Wednesday 28: Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School, 89 Addison Road, W14 8BZ, 6pm-9pm
Residents can report flooding by calling 0800 316 9800 quoting reference number 970628. Further information is also available on Thames Water’s website.
