I was alarmed by a letter I received earlier this month from the leader of Hammersmith's Conservative Council, telling me that Furnival Gardens near the river, could be turned into a huge construction site to prevent raw sewage seeping into the Thames.

Later there were local suggestions that Ravenscourt Park could be used instead, and the council caused further alarm by calling a public meeting with posters referring to a 'Stink Pipe'.

At the meeting, Hammersmith Conservatives were geared up to exploit the issue. Was it really necessary, they said, to stop sewage seeping into the river? One Conservative councillor, whilst acknowledging there was a health hazard, asked if the scheme is worth it to 'stop a few people getting the runs'.

As the meeting progressed the wind was taken out of Conservative sails by representatives from Thames Water which informed the meeting that 32 million tonnes of sewage go into the Thames each year. Furnival Gardens was too small for the major construction site, although some work would be necessary there on the existing Stamford Brook sewer.

As for Ravenscourt Park - Thames Water had not even considered this because it was too far away from the river.

In contrast to the Hammersmith Conservatives, the Conservatives from Hounslow, whose Borough is also affected, were more responsible in their approach, and recognised the need to stop polluting the Thames whilst calling for assurances that alternative schemes had been investigated.

It is regrettable that Hammersmith Conservatives misrepresented this issue and stirred up local fears, hoping for political gain, when it is obvious that our river needs to be protected.

John Grigg Aylmer Road Shepherd's Bush