Demo by Angry Residents on Mogden Smells

9.58.22am GMT Sat 13th Mar 2004

Local residents from Twickenham, St Margaret's and Isleworth joined forces to stage a demonstration at the gates of Mogden sewage treatment works to protest at the worsening odour pollution over recent months.

Political representatives supporting the residents included the Twickenham MP Vincent Cable and the Leader of Hounslow Council, Councillor John Chatt.

Vincent Cable said: "like the residents I am fed up to the back teeth with being told by Thames Water that their latest piece of engineering work will 'solve' the odour problem. Yet the last few weeks have produced some of the worst smells in my 30 years in Twickenham and we are in a dry climatic period which is supposed to be favourable".

"Much hinges on whether the two councils - Hounslow and Richmond - can make legal enforcement action stick. The government is refusing to be more forthcoming on legislation until the outcome of local court cases is clear. Where the government does have to act is to permit the water companies to pass through the cost of more effective, odour controlled, sewage treatment in prices; at the moment the regulator will not allow pass through."