Thames Tideway Tunnel – Registration as Interested Party

The Thames Anglers Conservancy and Angling Trust are founder members of Thames Tunnel Now, the coalition set up to press for the completion of the Thames Tideway Tunnel which will intercept 34 of the worst polluting Combined Sewer Overflows, and help put an end to the scandal of 39 million tonnes of untreated sewage polluting both the tidal river and the estuary.

Sadly there are those who don’t care about dead fish and wildlife or polluted rivers and who are trying to stop or delay the project. They will be raising their objections during the planning process which is why those of us who care for our rivers and the environment must make our voices heard loud and clear.

It will only take five minutes to stand up for a cleaner tidal Thames – the deadline is May 28^th so we need to move fast.

It is very straightforward and can be done entirely online.

Unless we register as interested parties at this stage, as individuals or organisations, we will not be able to make representations to the Inspectorate during the all-important six month long examination which starts in September. Registering as an interested party will not require anyone to give evidence in person but it enables us to attend the initial meetings, examine the evidence of others and to provide any submissions of our own. The Angling Trust is happy to represent any registered angling clubs who want us to during this process.

At this stage all the Planning Inspectorate needs is a short statement of no more than 500 words setting out why as anglers or as an angling organisation you have an interest in this project. To make things easy we’ve included some key points that you can include in your statement.

Key Points to consider for possible inclusion in your statement:

The reasons for proceeding with the TTT are as strong as ever, namely:

• Anglers from across our region love to fish the tidal stretches of Thames and further downstream the estuary is an important saltwater fishery. We have seen regular fish kills over recent years, often following summer storms during periods of low flow.
  

• London’s Victorian sewers, built for two million people, can no longer cope. The city’s population is now eight million and rising. In a typical year up to 39 million tonnes of untreated sewage discharges into the River Thames after as little as 2mm of rainfall. This shameful and unnecessary scenario has created unacceptable environmental and public health hazards. The Thames and Lee Tunnels and associated improvements will tackle nearly all this pollution.
  

• The sewage discharges breach the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive; British taxpayers would face the prospect of hefty fines, if the tunnel is not built.
  

• It can take up to three months for sewage that has entered the uppermost reaches of the Thames Tideway to reach the sea.  The CSOs discharge not just urine and faecal matter into the river, but also nearly 10,000 tonnes of litter every year including toilet paper, wipes, sanitary towels, condoms, cotton buds and other ‘flushable’ items. The hidden dangers include harmful pathogens, viruses and bacteria, such as E coli, hepatitis A and faecal streptococci.
  

• London’s sewerage system, founded over 150 years ago, has served the capital well, but urgently needs more capacity to meet the needs of modern-day London. Although the River Thames is capable of supporting greater wildlife diversity and has won recent awards for its improved condition these were contingent on the Tunnel going ahead. Without it the river will remain an environmental and public health hazard at times of CSO discharge.
  

• Currently sewerage discharges occur more than once a week on average and in wetter years, like the one we’ve just experienced, the discharges can increase threefold. There are 30 rowing, canoeing and sailing clubs that regularly make use of the tidal Thames.
  

•  Literally thousands of people use the Thames foreshore every day. Hundreds of thousands of tourists cruise the river every year. A cleaner, healthy River Thames is essential, not just for anglers, but for the prosperity and global reputation of London and the country as a whole. The Thames Tunnel will ensure that the excellent progress made to clean up the river will not be reversed.
  

So please click on this link before May 28 and join us in standing up for a cleaner Thames for everyone.

http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/projects/london/thames-tideway-tunnel

Notes on registering as an interested party for the Thames Tideway Tunnel

The attached Planning Inspectorate advice note outlines how public can register to become an interested party in the application. In summary:

You can register to become an interested party when Thames Water begins advertising the application, subject to acceptance. Registration is now open and closes on May 28th

The Planning Inspectorate reference for the Application, which is WW010001, should be quoted in any correspondence.

Representations, which at this stage should be no more than 500 words, must be made direct to the Planning Inspectorate using the Registration and Relevant Representation Form. Representations may not be valid if the form is incomplete or received after the registration deadline (expected to be mid-May). The Registration and Relevant Representation Form is available from the Planning Inspectorate:

• Web: http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/projects/london/thames-tideway-tunnel
  

• Tel: 0303 444 5000. 
  

• The Planning Inspectorate encourages registration online, if at all possible.  Where it is not possible to register online, completed paper copies should be sent to:
  

The Planning Inspectorate (National Infrastructure Directorate), Temple Quay House, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN.