Thames Tunnel

The proposed Thames Tunnel will capture the flows of storm sewage from 34 sewer overflow points along the River Thames.

About the tunnel

The tunnel will run approximately 32 kilometres (20 miles) through the heart of London, and up to 75 metres beneath the River Thames, broadly following the path of the river.

Its precise route, including the starting point in the west of the city, has still to be determined, but will end at Beckton Sewage Treatment Works.

We are in the process of speaking with the relevant authorities about the route of the tunnel and the process for selecting works sites.

No tunnel entrance and exit sites outside existing Thames Water sites have been selected. However the existing 34 sewer overflow points will need to be connected to the tunnel.

A map showing the location of these 34 unsatisfactory sewer overflow points, along with all of the 57 sewer overflows that exist along the tidal River Thames, can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.

Consulting local authorities and stakeholders

In Autumn 2008, we began the process of consulting the 13 London Boroughs who could potentially be affected by the tunnel construction and other pan-London stakeholders such as the Environment Agency and Greater London Authority.

They have provided input into the methodology that will be used to identify suitable sites and the proposed consultation and engagement activities that will be undertaken from now until the project is completed.

These documents are available to download below.

The methodology will be used to identify suitable sites and potentially affected communities will be consulted during 2010 before further decisions are taken.

Planning application and construction

The target date for the submission of planning application is late 2011.

Construction is provisionally scheduled to start in 2012 and finish in 2020.