Legal Action against Thames Water
The fact that so many people of Richmond and Hounslow (BCI Times 9 June) have joined the legal action for an injunction and compensation will have sent a clear message to Thames Water that the years of neglect and mismanagement of Mogden is just not acceptable. This action which is wholeheartedly supported by MPs Vince Cable and Ann Keen and fully endorsed by the ICG, whose members co-founded the Residents Action Group, is the culmination of years of evidence of just how badly managed the Mogden site is and how little interest has been shown by Thames Water managers in taking adequate remedial action. It is true that following legal action Thames have indicated that some steps to alleviate the problem will be taken and work, we are told, will commence in July. However, as the Times article reports, Thames tried every trick in the book to appeal the fact that its 'premises' are in fact premises under EPA 1990 and to defend its right to process sewage in the middle of a densely populated area without concern for the people whose lives have been blighted almost daily for decades. When considering Trevor Whittall's letter in BCI Times 9 June edition, it will be of grave concern to residents to know that even though Thames Water had told Lord Whitty that it would take £72 million to partly cover some of the site, and even though Ofwat eventually only approved £43 million, which Thames admitted to Vince Cable would only reduce odour by about 50%, indications are that Thames are hoping to do the job (possible 50% odour reduction) for possibly £35 million (and pocket the balance?) MP's, Ofwat, Defra, Local Authorities, Ward Councillors and residents must ensure that this is not allowed to happen and in the meantime residents should be aware, from past experience, that when work starts at Mogden next month, odour will no doubt escalate and the end result in 2008 will not be a significant improvement unless pressure on Thames Water is maintained to complete the job properly as was done at its flagship site and HQ near Reading.
Steve Taylor ● 6980d2 Comments