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Press Release
Mayor agrees deal with Thames Water to reduce impact of roadworks in London
12-5-2008 236
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has today negotiated a package of measures with Thames Water that will improve life in the capital, safeguard water supplies and keep cars moving in central London, and agreed to drop existing legal action to the company's plans to construct a desalination plant on the Thames at Beckton.
Thames Water has committed to work with the Mayor to reduce the impact of their roadworks on traffic in London. This includes setting up pilot projects across the capital to look at different ways of working in the city's streets, particularly relating to the company's extensive programme of Victorian mains replacement. This should allow London's traffic to move more freely and reduce congestion across the capital.
Thames Water has also agreed to work with the Mayor on a package of new environmental measures. These include helping to capture and reuse the waste energy that will be generated by the proposed Barking Power Station to help provide heating and hot water for up to 90,000 homes and save up to 90,000 tonnes of CO2 a year. Thames Water has also agreed to work with the Mayor on a range of major water efficiency measures across the capital to help bring new housing developments up to the latest environmental standards.
Boris Johnson has therefore agreed to withdraw the legal challenge to Thames Water's plans to proceed with its plans for a desalination water treatment plant at Beckton. Thames Water has also confirmed that the generator to power the plant will use 100 per cent renewable fuel.
The Mayor of London, said:
`This is a fantastic and wide-ranging package of measures agreed with Thames Water showing what can be achieved when a collaborative approach is taken to solving the issues facing London.
'By working in partnership with Thames Water I have secured important concessions - including on pledges I have made to Londoners during my election campaign - that wouldn't have been achieved if this action had gone ahead.
'Roads must not be cordoned off when no one is working there, so Londoners will welcome Thames Water's commitment to help get cars moving again. This will help to reduce congestion and drivers' frustrations throughout London. I am also delighted to be working with the company on ways to help Londoners save water, and make new and existing homes less wasteful and more sustainable.
'We cannot risk London running out of water at times of drought, but this cannot be at any cost. Thames Water has satisfied me that the desalination plant will minimise its impact on the environment by using renewable energy, and by being used only when absolutely necessary.
'This is a good deal for Londoners.'
Ends
Notes to Editors
In August 2007 the Secretaries of State for Communities and Local Government and Environment, Food and Rural Affairs conditionally agreed Thames Water's plans for a desalination plant following a public inquiry held in May and June 2006. The then Mayor decided to appeal that decision.
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