London Drainage Facilities Encouraged by Thames Tideway Tunnel Cost Savings

    LONDON, ENGLAND, September 27, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Ofwat, the regulatory body for water and sewerage providers, has announced that the Thames Tideway tunnel, which is to be co-ordinated by investor body and financier Bazalgette Tunnel Ltd, is set to cost London's rate payers much less than initially thought.

Initial forecasts put the average cost at approximately GBP80 for each of Thames Water's 15 million customers. Now, however, Ofwat has stated that customers shouldn't expect to pay any more than GBP25 per head by 2025, with GBP7 of this total already included in their bills.

Costs have been lowered thanks to the introduction of a bidding process, which encouraged strong competition between contractors. This is also the first time a similar financing model has been used to deliver a project of this scale within the water sector.

The Thames Tideway tunnel project, which involves building a 16-mile (25 kilometre) long sewer to divert tonnes of sewerage away from entering the River Thames, was originally approved by the government in September 2014. Since then, it has been met with aggressive opposition from environmental campaigns and some nearby residents, with many raising concerns that the initiative won't provide a strong enough return on investment

These critics are likely to have been silenced now that significant savings have been achieved, says Fraser Ruthven, Head of Marketing and Growth at London Drainage Facilities (LDF).

"The Thames Tideway tunnel is a vital undertaking that's going to bring a whole host of benefits for millions of Londoners," he says. "Crucially, the new infrastructure will prevent sewage overflow into the Thames and greatly reduce water pollution, resulting in a cleaner, safer environment for the capital's growing population."

London Drainage Facilities (LDF) offers a 24/7 emergency callout service for drain repairs, flood clearances and blockages. Using advanced technology, the experts at LDF can provide fast and efficient solutions, including CCTV surveys and drain jetting, to clients throughout London. For more information, please call Fraser Ruthven on 0800 612 2179.

Press Details:

Press Contact: Fraser Ruthven
Telephone: 0800 612 2179
Email: fraser.ruthven[at]london-drainage.com

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