Mogden Update from MRAG
Dear Residents (copied blind to protect email privacy) The Mogden Residents Action Group (MRAG) is a non political group of residents determined to hold accountable all those responsible for the environmental issues caused by negligence, under-investment and mismanagement of Thames Water's Mogden STW. A judge has already ruled that the odour emanating from Mogden is unlawful and in that respect leading environmental solicitors, Hugh James, are seeking compensation and an injunction against Thames Water for all residents who are interested in pursuing a claim. It has already been widely publicised that the £40 million funding approved by OFWAT (of customers' money) is not sufficient to do the job properly and the Managing Director of Thames Water has admitted as much to Dr Vince Cable MP-Twickenham. Legal action is therefore the only way forward if residents want to see a better environment and hold Thames Water responsible and accountable for years of neglect. We were therefore astounded to see a Labour Party leaflet last week which is not only riddled with inaccuracies but claims that the £40 million spend is a "victory" and effectively appears to be dissuading residents from joining the legal action by falsely implying that odour benefits will be seen as early as November 2006. MRAG represent over 3000 households affected by the Mogden pong and mosquitoes and we would like to assure residents that the labour leaflet was published without our knowledge and without any consultation with the people whose lives are affected by Mogden on an almost daily basis. It must be stressed that MRAG's committee of experts on the subject were not consulted in any way and the people responsible for publishing the leaflet have never attended any residents liaison meetings with Thames Water or any meetings with Hounslow Environmental Services at which MRAG committee members were present. They also did not attend any of the meetings MRAG have held with Government Ministers Alun Michael or Lord Whitty. We are at a loss to understand why these individuals, with little or no understanding of the Mogden saga, are attempting to undermine the efforts of MRAG and play directly into the hands of Thames Water. We have asked them to comment but to date they have failed to do so. However, hereunder is a press statement from the Community Group for your interest. Regards Mogden Residents Action GroupMRAGfor 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/----------------- THE COMMUNITY GROUP www.communitygroup.org.uk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PRESS STATEMENT --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Monday, 19th December 2005 Community councillor blasts Labour"sellout" over Mogden ISLEWORTH community councillor Phil Andrews has accused the Labour Party and Hounslow Council of "selling the residents down the river" following the distribution of a leaflet which described a proposed £40 million spend on odour improvements at Mogden Sewage Works as "excellent news" and a "victory". The article (attached) was published by three prospective candidates from the "Isleworth Labour Party" who claim the credit for the proposed investment and make no mention of the residents' camapign which brought it about. However Councillor Andrews, a founder member of the Mogden Residents' Action Group (MRAG) whose relentless pressure led directly to the concession, commented: "None of the three Labour candidates who claim sole credit for the proposed £40m spend has ever set foot in a Mogden residents' meeting. "What is more disturbing however is that Labour seems to be trying to give the impression that the money has been provided by Thames Water, and that it will resolve the odour problems at Mogden. "In fact the £40m will be raised from our own water rates and the company has admitted that it will only be sufficient to bring about a 50% reduction in odour levels. This is not good enough, yet the firm refuses to commit a penny of its own profits to honouring its obligations towards its neighbours. "Labour appears to be trying to undermine the residents' legal action against Thames Water by talking up the company's commitment to reducing odour levels. One can only speculate as to why, but residents who have put up with the smell and the mosquitoes for years feel angry and betrayed". ENDS. Contact: Councillor Phil Andrews - 07761 711678 or phil@communitygroup.org.uk.
Phil Andrews ● 7089d6 Comments