Mogden Residents' Liaison Meeting - proposed site expansion
Just in case the original posting is deleted...Residents who attended the Thames Water Mogden Liaison meeting this week claim it to be a sham with an agenda geared towards Thames Water's own marketing strategy that left little time for residents to get explanations as to what is going so horribly wrong at the site with the ongoing stench and communications problems.One resident was astounded by some of the things heard from Thames Water. For example the proposed massive expansion of the site to increase daily sewage capacity and to conform to EC directives, in order to prevent fines, is being rushed, with its public display being on show, on week days only, in Isleworth Public Library on 21th, 22nd & 24th May, less than two weeks away. There was nothing planned for anywhere in Richmond Borough for residents who experience the current ongoing problems from the site. Thames Water maintained that the site is in Hounslow borough and did not appear to recognise that the odour as well as mosquitoes do not have any respect for Borough boundaries.Despite all the odour problems recorded by Richmond borough residents in April, the Mogden Communications team had no idea what residents were talking about although odour and mosquito complaints are supposedly being investigated and logged.On the issue of who is receiving, or will receive, newsletters regarding the current Odour Improvement Programme and mosquito campaign the Mogden Communications Team was vague and didn't appear to know how or to whom the newsletter will be distributed. It would appear there is no communications process in place to effectively deal with matters on which the public should be kept informed.In the meantime MRAG Chairman, Dr Trevor Whittall, has made it clear that, before any proposals for expansion of Mogden are considered, residents want the Odour Improvement Plan finished and evaluated first. MRAG is not opposed in principle to expansion of capacity to deal with flooding, as it should reduce the use of storm tanks, but we want a delay on construction until 2009 - not only to ensure the Odour Improvement Programme has worked, but to ensure residents around the plant do not experience undue disruption. Also, we want assurances the catchment area will not be enlarged and that the remaining storm tanks will be enclosed.Thames Water is currently refusing to divulge how often the Storm Tanks are being used. Until Thames Water changes its stance on transparency and sets itself reasonable targets on odour elimination, expansion of the site is not an option and will be opposed vehemently by residents.Thames Water needs to address its current stance in dealing with issues which affect the communities of Hounslow and Richmond. Over the last few years residents have seen many staff changes at Thames Water with key personnel resigning, being replaced or transferred. Residents have had to deal with no fewer than four Managing Directors, four Mogden Operations Managers, five Mogden Catchment Managers, two Environmental directors and an astounding eight communications consultants as communications with the current regime are worse than ever before.Mogden Residents Action Group (MRAG)www.mogden.org.ukFor News and Views on local community issues visit http://www.twickenham-online.co.uk/
Phil Andrews ● 6841d0 Comments