Newly released consultation documents for the Teddington Direct River Abstraction (TDRA) project reveal major design changes around Burnell Avenue in Kingston, including expanded underground infrastructure, additional maintenance hatches, increased construction activity and a dramatic rise in heavy goods vehicle (HGV) movements, and local campaign group Save Our Lands and River (SOLAR) is opposing the plans.

The revisions come in the same week that the stretch of the River Thames at Ham and Kingston was designated an official bathing water site — "highlighting the importance of protecting water quality and the surrounding riverside environment", says Solar.

According to SOLAR, the most concerning changes include:

Construction near Burnell Avenue is now expected to last around FOUR YEARS — double the previously expected two-year construction period. Permanent infrastructure within open space areas has significantly increased. A much larger intake structure, underground pumping system and enlarged control building ("kiosk") are now proposed.

HGV movements at the Burnell Avenue worksite more than double — from 6,246 to around 14,000. Maintenance hatches near the intake structure increase from 8 to around 20.

Underground infrastructure extends around 50 metres further into Burnell Avenue Open Space.

SOLAR said: "The consultation documents acknowledge several "likely significant effects" on local communities and the environment, including impacts on recreational open space, conservation areas, traffic, noise, air quality and visual amenity.

"The latest revisions again raise serious questions about whether the project's original "Best Value" assumptions are credible given the growing scale, duration and infrastructure footprint now being proposed.

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"More construction years, more infrastructure, additional mitigation measures and substantially higher HGV activity all point towards rising project costs alongside increasing environmental and community impacts."

It continued: "The documents also reference changes at Mogden Sewage Treatment Works without providing meaningful detail on the potential environmental or financial implications of those revisions.

"Many residents and campaign groups continue to question whether less damaging alternatives — including leakage reduction, demand management and alternative abstraction approaches — have been properly prioritised before pursuing major permanent infrastructure within public open space beside the Thames.

"The River Thames is not simply a utility asset. It is a living river used every day by swimmers, rowers, kayakers, paddleboarders, walkers, wildlife groups and families across our community. It has now been recognised as an official bathing water site.

"It deserves protection, not further industrialisation. People are being encouraged to review the consultation documents carefully and submit feedback before the deadline on 18 June 2026."

Responses to Thames Water's consultation can be submitted by email to [email protected] or by post, free of charge, to FREEPOST TDRA CONSULTATION.

Printed consultation booklets, feedback forms and Freepost envelopes are also available at Ham Library and public consultation events.

As part of the consultation, an in-person event will be held on Tuesday, 2 June 2026, from 2pm - 8pm, at St Andrew's Church Hall in Ham.

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An online event will be held on Monday, 8 June 2026, between 12pm and 1pm. You can register via this link.

The consultation will run until 11.59pm on Thursday, 18 June 2026.