Putney Bridge Foreshore

We need a worksite to connect the local combined sewer overflow (CSO), known as the Putney Bridge, to the main tunnel of the proposed Thames Tunnel project. We are currently proposing to use the foreshore to the west of Putney Bridge for this construction work and to accommodate the permanent structures required to operate the tunnel.
At present, the combined sewer overflows along the River Thames discharge untreated sewage directly into the river. This occurs because Londons mainly Victorian sewerage system, which was designed to transport both wastewater (sewage) and storm water (rainfall), is at or near capacity. Some CSOs discharge untreated sewage into the River Thames on average more than once a week and after only 2mm of rainfall. This situation is likely to become worse in the future, due to population growth and increased urbanisation. The discharge of untreated sewage into the River Thames is harmful to the environment. It reduces river water quality, harms the aquatic life, causes unsightly litter and increases the risks to health for users of the River Thames. Starting in west London and broadly following the path of the River Thames through the centre of the capital, the Thames Tunnel would transfer the flows from the most polluting CSOs to Beckton Sewage Treatment Works in the east of the city. The need for construction sites We need a significant number of sites in order to construct the Thames Tunnel project. Large shaft sites are required at certain points along the route to allow the construction of the main tunnel. Smaller CSO sites are also required near each of the most polluting CSOs to connect them to the main tunnel. We have carried out a detailed site selection process to identify suitable sites for the construction of the main tunnel and connection of the CSOs. For more information, see our project information paper Construction Sites. This has enabled us to identify our preferred sites along the route required for the construction and operation of the main tunnel and the connection of each of the CSOs.

Putney Bridge Foreshore

Thames Tunnel

Ordnance Survey Licence number 100019345. Crown Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.

BR

EW

HO

US E

LA

NE

Putney Bridge Foreshore showing preferred and shortlisted sites

How we chose the preferred site We shortlisted four possible work sites on the foreshore close to where the CSO discharges under Putney Bridge. The configuration of the existing drainage network and the high density of local buildings meant the only viable CSO interception locations are within the foreshore of the river and therefore all of the sites are located within the Putney Embankment Conservation Area. We assessed the suitability of each site by taking into account engineering, planning, environment, property and community considerations. From this process we identified our preferred location as the foreshore site immediately to the west of Putney Bridge, (see map above). Shortlisted sites:
Site 1 Foreshore, end of Brewhouse Lane and Site 2 Foreshore, adjacent to Putney Bridge and St Marys Church.

Use of site 2 could have a greater impact upon the residential and commercial properties at Putney Wharf Tower. These residents would be in closer proximity to the works and would not benefit from the highway separation that exists between sites west of Putney Bridge and the associated adjacent residents.
Site 3 Junction of Lower Richmond Road and Putney Embankment

This site is considered the less suitable of the two sites west of Putney Bridge. It is located further away from the CSO discharge point beneath Putney Bridge and would therefore require increased construction in the foreshore. The reduced clearance of the site to adjacent amenities could cause greater disturbance to residential properties and commercial buildings on Lower Richmond Road and the bars and restaurants on Putney Embankment.

Both sites located to the east of Putney Bridge would be adjacent to the Grade II* listed St Marys Church, The Boathouse public house and the riverside walkway.

Ordnance Survey Licence number 100019345. Crown Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.

Preferred site at Putney Bridge Foreshore showing use during construction

Our preferred site:

Putney Bridge Foreshore

We have identified this site to the west of Putney Bridge as our preferred location. Compared to the alternatives, the buffer provided by the road has the potential to reduce the impact of the construction works on the nearest residential and business premises and users of the Thames Path. The shaft site is located further away from Grade II listed Putney Bridge and Grade II* listed St Marys Church than two of the alternatives considered. It is also relatively close to where the CSO currently overflows into the River Thames. This preferred site would also provide greater separation between the working area and the Putney Bridge Pier to the west, thereby minimising the impact of the works upon vessel movements and navigation to and from the pier. As the CSO itself is located within the southern supporting arch of Putney Bridge, all the possible work sites would require works beneath the arch and against the structure of the listed Putney Bridge. Access from the local road network is possible but, due to the space constraints, limitations would need to be imposed on the size of vehicles that can get to the site.

Use of the preferred site during construction We would need to use this location as a construction site for approximately two years. It would then be vacated as much as possible but a smaller area kept secure for subsequent equipment installation. The plan above shows how we propose to use the site to connect the CSO to the tunnel. It also shows the amount of space we think we would need to carry out the construction works but as the design of the Thames Tunnel develops further this could change. We propose that construction traffic would enter and leave the site at the location of the existing slipway to reach Lower Richmond Road. As the site would be located in the foreshore we would need to construct a temporary cofferdam around it to protect the works from the river. Specific measures may be necessary to reduce the environmental effects of construction and we would welcome your views on the issues we should consider when developing our proposals. We will be presenting our more detailed proposals in our second round of consultation before the submission of planning applications.

Ordnance Survey Licence number 100019345. Crown Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.

Putney Bridge Foreshore illustrative visualisation of completed project

Permanent use of the site We are likely to require some above-ground structures on this site after the construction work has finished. To accommodate these structures, we propose to extend the existing river wall to create a new area of hard-standing. We proposed a new, realigned, slipway will be constructed as part of the work. The structures to be located on this new area would include a ventilation column (approximately 10m high and 1m diameter), along with a rectangular kiosk (approximately 1.5m high, 1m wide and 3.5m long) housing electrical and control equipment. We would leave the area around these structures as hard-standing to allow vehicle and pedestrian access to this new area of river frontage and the relocated slipway. Above is an example of how the site could look after construction has finished. As part of our public consultation we would like to know your views on the permanent look and use of the site.

For further project information see our website: [Link] or call us on 0845 366 2950