Plans for Thames prevention of pollution 'up sewage creek without a paddle'

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 14th Sep 2004

Commenting after the hearing with Thames Water into the release of raw sewage into the Thames in which the company admitted that plans for a long term and permanent solution to the sewage problem had been shelved by DEFRA with demands for another year long study, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Health spokesperson, Dee Doocey, said:-

"The failure of both the company and of regulators to promote a long term solution to the pollution of the Thames is simply breathtaking. There is a deep malaise in government to tell water companies to find environmental solutions to problems that cause health problems to river users, damages the reputation of the Thames and kills thousands of fish.

"Ministers are stalling, Thames Water is buck passing and it is the customer and people using the Thames who end up suffering. More studies into the feasibility of a waste tunnel will cause further delays, costs to escalate and fail to solve the problem.

"Everyone knows what needs to be done but the whole process of cleaning up our river appears to be up sewage creek without a paddle."