Vince Cable

At a meeting last week between Vincent Cable MP and the Managing Director of Thames Water, Werner Bottcher, Vincent Cable was told that Thames Water have 'mothballed' their ambitious plans to redevelop part of the Hampton Water Works site for a large scale housing development. Vincent Cable said: "There was a lot of anxiety several years ago that the land to the south of Thames Street would be massively redeveloped by Thames Water for a large housing project. Nothing happened subsequently and I am glad to have confirmation from the highest level that the project is no longer active; it is 'mothballed'."

Mr Bottcher also explained in detail the company's plans for Mogden. There will be partial coverage of the main odour generating storm tanks and inlet works in work to be started next February and to be completed by the summer of 2008. This will cut odour pollution by over 50%. There is then a bigger project lasting to 2012 and costing £400m to expand treatment capacity and reduce the river release of only partially treated sewage. This project will also generate improvements in odour.

Vincent Cable said: "It is clear that Thames Water is now committed to major investment at Mogden and that environmental improvements are in train. It is equally clear that the improvements will take a long time and that odour problems will not be eliminated, merely reduced.

"It was useful, too, to see the company's perspective: under pressure from the regulator to hold down price increases but also to invest to stop leakages from the ancient main system, to reduce sewage flooding, to improve water quality and to reduce environmental impact. The fact that the MD was happy to come to my office with his management team does suggest a willingness to address some of the issues which concern residents."