Mogden Residents' Action Group (MRAG) - November update
Dear Residents LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THAMES WATER Following the lead taken by the ICG and MRAG founder member Phil Andrews, the Labour Party has now committed its full backing and support to all residents joining the legal action against Thames Water for compensation and an injunction against the Company. In its latest 'Rose' leaflet, the Labour Party urges residents to join the legal action and the party has committed three members of Ann Keen MP's Campaign Team to assist residents in preparing their case against Thames Water. This follows MRAG committee Member and Isleworth community councillor Phil Andrews and Ivytag leader Simon Anderson appearing on BBC TV on behalf of all long-suffering local people. Leading environmental solicitor Neil Stockdale, who is handling the case on behalf of all interested residents, will be meeting with Ann Keen MP together with MRAG Committee members early next month to discuss the growing case and the ongoing campaign for justice. If you would like more information on your particular case for compensation on a no win no fee basis, please contact the Mogden Residents Action Group by email mrag27@aol.com or Neil Stockdale email neil.stockdale@hughjames.com or tel 01685 352542. RESIDENTS LIAISON MEETINGS Thames Water is obligated to hold quarterly Residents Liaison meetings to answer questions on the ongoing odour and mosquito problems caused by its Mogden site. However, in an unprecedented and probably unlawful move for a regulated company, Thames Water refused entry to the last meeting to all residents who have joined the legal claim. The result was that although these meetings usually attract massive resident participation, only three residents were granted entry by Thames Water. Interestingly, two of the residents who were permitted do not live near the site and are probably not affected by the unlawful Mogden odour! It would appear that Thames Water held a 'Residents Liaison Meeting' amongst its own employees! However, Thames Water is fully aware that it is obligated to continue to hold these meetings and, so desperate is the company to try to be seen to be communicating with the community, it has written to the Council and advised that it is trying to contact residents who used to attend in the past. It should come as little surprise to the company though that a number of residents who used to attend the meetings became so disillusioned with the Company's management of Mogden that they have since moved. It should also come as no surprise to the Company that even if people have moved during the last five years the legal action is still open to them to claim against Thames for the nuisance they were forced to endure whilst living in the area. THAMES WATER NEWSLETTERS Thames Water is also obligated to issue newsletters to the community approximately quarterly. Despite this obligation the current Mogden management team have failed to abide with this obligation and fulfil its promise to the community and the authorities. Following pressure from MRAG, Thames Water have finally issued a November newsletter albeit 15 months overdue! However, besides apologising for the unacceptable odour in the immediate area (sorry St Margarets - no apologies are offered to those living considerable distances from the site) Thames Water offers no information in the newsletter on the level of decrease in odour residents can expect or any indication on what parts of the site will be tackled first. In fact the company hasn't even decided on whether to cover all of the primary settlement tanks or convert them to 'a different type of tank'. It is claimed that the engineering firm appointed to carry out odour improvement has worked on similar projects at other sites in the UK. One wonders why, if this firm has been successful at other sites in the UK, Thames didn't appoint them as far back as the nineties when residents complained and complained and complained. The answer of course is that the company thought it could get away with undermining the people of Richmond and Hounslow. This company must answer to residents in court and shareholders must pay for years of neglect and negligence at Mogden and most particularly the recent failures of management to take remedial action. If you haven't joined the legal action - join now before the cut off date which will shortly be determined by the Court. RgdsMogden Residents Action Group Committee MRAGWorst year on record for residents neighbouring Thames Water's Mogden site.SEPTEMBER COMPLAINTS AGAINST THAMES WATER FOR SEWAGE ODOUR AND MOSQUITOES WERE THE HIGHEST IN ANY MONTH SINCE MRAG STARTED RECORDING RESIDENTS' COMPLAINTS IN JULY 2002. OCTOBER COMPLAINTS INDICATE A MASSIVE 800% INCREASE ON COMPLAINTS RECORDED FOR OCTOBER LAST YEAR!DETAILS OF THESE COMPLAINTS ARE AVAILABLE ON www.mogden.org.ukFollowing MRAG's campaign backed by residents' complaints and a petition signed by over 3,000 residents, OFWAT have approved £40 million ( ratepayers money ) of an estimated £50 million required to deal exclusively with the Mogden odour problem over the next five years. Thames Water have thus far refused to contribute to the £50 million funding required to complete the job satisfactorily.for latest information on Mogden Residents Action Group go to OnLine Communities Ltd Website www.mogden.org.uk For News and Views on local community issues visit http://www.twickenham-online.co.uk/
Phil Andrews ● 7116d7 Comments