The suggestion that the Thames Tideway Tunnel is not needed (£4bn super sewer - money down the drain?, 28 November) is deeply misguided. The fundamental problem is that London’s Victorian sewerage system, while still in very good condition, now lacks the capacity to meet the needs of an ever-growing population. Last year 55m tonnes of sewage was discharged into the tidal river Thames. “A few minor works” could not solve that. The reality is that the capital needs both the tunnel and sustainable drainage systems. It is not an either/or choice, as other world cities such as Washington DC are already demonstrating. The critical point is that a fit-for-purpose sewerage network is essential for the city’s prosperity and wellbeing. Finally, the £70-80 a year average increase in Thames Water’s wastewater charge (at 2011 prices, excluding inflation) is a worst-case scenario. We are confident we can deliver the project well within the £4.2bn budget.
Andy Mitchell
CEO, Thames Tideway Tunnel
