I cannot keep away from Carnwath Road for long – the potential epicentre of super sewer construction if the people of Barn Elms have their way.

As this week’s photograph indisputably illustrates, the Carnwath Road development is just feet from the site perimeter. This area is a complete community. I have already introduced you to little cerebral palsy sufferer Gabriel Peppoli in one of the riverside flats designated for the severely disabled, who lives alongside refugees from Bosnia and Africa.

Next door are Sarah Canet and Matthew Blount. PR consultant Sarah works from home. She is an independent single woman who has worked tirelessly to invest in her flat as a future pension pot.

Matthew part-owns his flat and was one of the development’s first residents in 1999. The peaceful riverside location is especially precious to Matthew who was forced to retire on medical grounds. He was knocked down by a motorbike while walking, necessitating brain surgery on his broken skull.

Sarah didn't first hear about the proposal from Thames Water until the threat had already downgraded the value of her flat. This has shattered both her professional and personal plans. She has been working towards buying a little office so that she can move her business out of her home. This would mean remortgaging her flat but the value has already been decimated.

She also hopes to marry and have children one day, but fears she will now never be able to afford a family home.

As able-bodied residents, Sarah and Matthew are concerned for the vulnerable people whose first language is not English and who just don’t know how to fight this massive threat. It is unbelievable that these people are being harassed when miles of open space are available at Barn Elms.

www.FulhamRats.org

Phil Stride :

As I outlined in last week’s column, we of course recognise some residents and businesses would be closer to the work site at Carnwath Road Riverside than at Barn Elms, particularly at the western and eastern ends.

No final decisions have been made on any of our sites. The purpose of our consultation is to understand the concerns of all nearby residents and, importantly, amend our proposals where possible in order to minimise disruption to Londoners while we deliver the most cost-effective solution to tackle the big and growing problem of sewage entering London’s river.

There are no easy answers.

We are taking into account all comments we received from residents and businesses during phase one of our public consultation. This autumn we will stage the second phase of our public consultation. This will provide an opportunity for everybody to comment on our updated plans.

What is clear, however, is that we need to act now. The River Thames has become an environmental and public health hazard.
Finally, for people whose first language is not English, we offer a free telephone service to translate consultation materials into any language on request. So if you know anyone that needs to use this service, please contact us, and we will be happy to arrange this.