Robbie, as you know MRAG was founded by Hanifa and Phil Andrews who were joined by the Lib Dem Deputy Mayor of Richmond shortly afterwards. A comprehensive committee was then formed. The committee consists of members, some of whom, I am aware are openly Lib Dem, Conservative or Labour and some of whom I have no idea which way they vote and I don't care. I would hazard a guess that they also don't know which way they will vote if at all. I am not sure why you struggle to comprehend that MRAG is not a political group and why you can't understand that MRAG is totally independent of any political group. Paul Fisher used to be an ICG Councillor and he was welcomed as a committee member of MRAG because he committed to fight for justice and a clean environment. Labour Councillors who had an interest in the mismanagement of Mogden, and actually wanted to do something about it, were also invited.The aim of MRAG was, and still is, to hold Thames Water accountable to clean up its act and improve the environment in Hounslow and Richmond. MRAG was formed because three decades of Labour administration in Hounslow had failed miserably and allowed the Company to continue year in and year our to inflict misery upon residents.Residents were therefore driven to take legal action for an injunction. It is a fact of life that lawyers and counsel do not act for free so it was decided that the Company needed to be sued for damages as well as an injunction. The Company was found guilty of negligence and mismanage for the full period permissible under the law while it was under the Local Authority of the Labour led Council. The case cost Thames Water millions in defending its actions and in paying damages to residents.However, although residents were paid damages, MRAG failed in its ultimate goal to stop the stench. Why did MRAG fail? MRAG failed because residents were stabbed in the back by Cllrs Cadbury and Reid who approved expansion of the failed site without considering the outcome of the High Court Action, which was in progress, and proving to the world how badly run the site was. Whilst it was made perfectly clear to the Director and Asst Director of Environment, as well as all Councillors, that the ongoing odour was being caused by uncovered storm tanks (not exactly rocket science), Cllrs Cadbury saw fit to propose expansion of the site without extracting an undertaking from Thames Water to cover the remaining tanks. We all know now that the expansion has been a disaster as far as odour control is concerned and arguably the odour is worse now than before the expansion program commenced. It is ironic that before the expansion commenced the odour had in fact improved as Thames Water had been forced by expert evidence prepared for the High Court trial to take some drastic actions to improve its operation. The expansion has negated those efforts. Whilst residents welcome the fact that Labour is now prepared to try and correct its massive blunder, we would have thought they may consider consulting with experts before running off half-cocked to question Thames Water on issues they know so little about. Residents have repeatedly stated that MRAG Committee members professional expertise includes legal, Environmental Science, Environmental Health, Civil Engineering, Immunology & Project Management. I believe Mr Andrews' initial post was not to question that Labour didn't consult with the ICG but rather that Labour did not consult with MRAG. So be it, if they wish to try and tackle this complex issue on their own we will await the outcome with interest but everyone should be aware that the clock is ticking.
Steve Taylor ● 4343d