The borough's MPs have condemned Thames Water plans for a tunnel that would see large tracts of nature reserve and park dug up.

The tunnel would follow a 15km route from the Mogden sewage works to a discharge point upstream of Teddington Lock.

The scheme would involve digging up a large area of the Ham Lands nature reserve as well as Moormead Park in St Margarets and the Northcote Avenue Recreation Ground, Isleworth.

The Twickenham MP, Munira Wilson, and the Richmond Park MP, Sarah Olney, have accused the water giant of attempting to keep residents in the dark about the scheme, which would involve thousands of HGV movements.

There is serious concern that the tunnel involved digging large access shafts along its route, including three in the Ham Lands, one close to historic Ham House, and others in Moormead and Northcote Avenue Rec.

Munira Wilson told Nub News: "Like many residents, I was shocked to hear of the potential construction implications for Moormead Park and Ham Lands.

"I was not impressed, to say the least, that Thames Water did not reveal the full construction implications of their sewage recycling plans at Teddington Lock in our many detailed discussions on the issue, nor indeed throughout the public consultation process.

"I can't, however, say that I'm surprised. Trust in our water companies is at an all-time low, and the latest news of Thames Water's potential collapse is just the latest scandal that has rocked the water industry.

"On top of spilling raw sewage into our waterways, losing millions of litres of water every day to leaks, and handing out sky-high executive bonuses, this latest news shows that trust has been completely shattered.

The MP added: "At the national level, the Liberal Democrats have tabled a Parliamentary Bill to rip up the water industry and reform company boards and priorities, to ensure that firms can no longer prioritise profit over the environment."

Sarah Olney has written to the Environment Secretary, Therese Coffey, to ask for a meeting and to keep the project 'under extreme government scrutiny'.

The MP said: "Thousands of movements of heavy goods vehicles running to major construction sites on a local nature reserve is a shocking prospect for everyone who knows and loves Ham Lands.

"In 2020, her department committed to protecting and restoring 500,000 hectares of natural land across the UK, and I hope she will consider this commitment when making any decision on the project.

Thames Water said the design of the pipeline scheme is an early stage, while the company's financial issues could also have an impact on the timetable.

The company indicated there would be a public consultation later this year, however this appears to have been pushed back to 2024.

More details - https://www.savehamlandsandriver.org.uk/