Supporters of the London Tideway Tunnels

Nigel Bourne

Nigel Bourne, Director, CBI London

"CBI London supports the London Tideway Tunnels - it is a crucial part of modernising London's infrastructure and protecting the urban environment, to ensure that, as London grows and develops, it remains a pre-eminent city in which to live, work and do business."

Sue Hamilton

Resident of Barking, Essex

"This is an excellent plan which must go ahead for the health and safety of London."

Jean Lambert

Jean Lambert, Green MEP for London

"The London Tideway Tunnels scheme is a crucial step towards safeguarding the future of the Thames and Lee rivers and their surrounding environments. These rivers have helped shape the identity of London and they continue to be enjoyed by many thousands of residents every day.

"I fully support this project to bring water quality into compliance with EU standards to ensure these rivers are cleaner and healthier for generations to come."

Debbie Leach

Chief Executive, Thames21

"The London Tideway Tunnels will support the efforts and dedication of the many thousands of Londoners who volunteer every year to clean-up, remove litter from and improve the River Thames and other London waterways.

"The tunnels will mark a huge improvement in the quality of our River Thames by dramatically increasing its cleanliness and creating a waterside environment to be enjoyed by all.

"The London Tideway Tunnels will introduce new possibilities to the River Thames, both for wildlife and for people visiting and using this great river. It is a huge step forward, and milestone in the development, improvement and history of London."

Peter Ackroyd

Author of "Thames: Sacred River"

"The London Tideway Tunnels programme is a vital and imaginative plan to change the River Thames for the better; it rivals the scope and range of Bazalgette's enterprise, completed more than a century ago, and will do just as much to safeguard the cleanliness of the river and therefore the health of those who use it."

(Photograph: Charles Hopkins)

Peter Bazalgette

Descendent of Sir Joseph Bazalgette

"My ancestor, Sir Joseph Bazalgette, implemented a visionary scheme for tackling London's sewage; in the process, cleansing the River Thames. Thames Water is now the inheritor of his legacy and invests billions to update and improve London's infrastructure. The London Tideway Tunnels are part of this process and old Sir Joe would have given the scheme a strong thumbs-up."

Colin Stanbridge

Chief Executive of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry

"The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry supports the plans for the London Tideway Tunnels as an essential part of London's 'hidden infrastructure', which will deliver significant benefits for businesses and ordinary Londoners through a cleaner Thames and a modern sewer system our city can be proud of. 

"As a world-class, global city, London needs the right infrastructure to attract the best companies and people, whilst protecting the environment in which we all live."

Jill Goddard

Executive Director, Thames Estuary Partnership

"The Thames Estuary Partnership is a neutral body representing the interests of its wide-ranging membership. Concerns are regularly expressed by members about the aesthetic and health implications of sewage overflow into the Thames after periods of heavy rainfall and drainage system overload. The subsequent negative effects on Thames biodiversity also cause concern to those interested in freshwater or marine species. This also has implications for TEP's HLF-funded "Thames Discovery Programme", since this project encourages public involvement in monitoring fragile archaeological features exposed at low tide, while highlighting the central role of the Thames in London's history.

"Many TEP members welcome the London Tideway Tunnels proposal for its long-term benefits to Londoners involved with the Thames."

Andy Hawkins

Thames Explorer Trust, Chiswick

"The Thames Explorer Trust helps people get in touch with the river. We do this predominantly through educating children. Last year we brought over 12,000 children onto the Thames foreshore, to explore London's largest natural environment. Our efforts at creating a cleaner river are  a vital part of creating a sustainable and environmentally secure future and we see the building of the London Tideway Tunnels as integral to this. We are pleased to add our voice in support."

Tim Brabants

Olympic Champion - 1000m single kayak (Beijing 2008)

"As a regular user of the River Thames for training, I wholly support the building of the London Tideway Tunnels. Clean rivers for all that enjoy and use them is so important, as well as protecting the natural habitat of the wildlife."

Dr Paul Leinster

Chief Executive of the Environment Agency

"The River Thames is London's biggest open space and an important natural asset. But the river cannot meet its full potential for people and wildlife as long as sewage flows straight into the river every time we get more than 2mm of rain. We support the London Tideway Tunnels because a world class capital city deserves a 21st century sewage system and a river to match. We will continue to work closely with Thames Water to ensure that both the construction and operation of the London Tideway Tunnels deliver maximum benefit for the environment."

Chris Edwards

Chairman of Planning & Environment Committee at the Royal Yachting Association

"Representing recreational boaters, the Royal Yachting Association welcomes the London Tideway Tunnels proposal to improve the quality of the water in the rivers Lea and Thames."

Baroness Jo Valentine

Chief Executive of business organisation London First

"The London Tideway Tunnels are an essential piece of infrastructure for our growing capital. With this project, Thames Water is investing in London's future success, so it can remain the best city in the world in which to do business."

Peter Finch

Chairman of River Thames Society

"Formed in 1962, the River Thames Society aims "to protect and promote the River from its source to the sea". Campaigns by us and others to reduce its pollution have generally been successful. Home to many species of fish and birdlife, the Thames is now cleaner than it has been for many years.

"The blot on this record has been the regular discharge of sewage from the combined sewer overflows into the river at times of wet weather - a legacy of Bazalgette's otherwise superb system.

"Our society fully supports the proposed London Tideway Tunnels and allied improvements to the capital's sewage treatment works."