| Topic: | Re:Re:Re: Mogden clarification; Thames Tunnel costs impact on customers' bills. | |
| Posted by: | Nick Tennant | |
| Date/Time: | 14/03/11 12:36:00 |
| Roland, we are clearly not going to agree, but a few more facts.... 1: The (previous and current) Government have instructed us to proceed with developing the tunnel solution, but before construction can begin the project needs to get planning approval, and that is still some way away off. We don't plan to submit an application till next year. 2. It really is a tunnel, technically a 'storage and transfer tunnel', as used in many other cities around the world (Sydney, Milwaukee). The flows from the tunnel will be pumped out within 48 hours (a design condition established by the Environment Agency). 3. We did look at extending the tunnel to Mogden. The additional four miles of tunnelling would add considerably to both the time to complete the tunnel and the overall cost. This could not be justified when the current project will deal with the vast majority of the storm discharges from the works. 4. Producing a sewage system that could be guaranteed never to overflow, however great the volume of storm sewage received, would add hugely to water bills, if indeed it is physically possible without building an entirely new network. Working with the Environment Agency, who are responsible for water quality, and with Ofwat and the Consumer Council for Water, we believe we are striking the right balance. |