Local campaigners from Save Our Lands and River (SOLAR) have collected 4,112 signed postcards, opposing Thames Water's Teddington Direct River Abstraction (TDRA) project, which SOLAR calls "an environmentally damaging scheme that experts say has far better, more sustainable alternatives".

Ian McNuff, a founding member of SOLAR, said: "Thames Water ran 50 hours of public consultation, were visited by 700 people, and have no idea what those people thought of the scheme.

"We spoke with the public for half that time – and over 4,000 cards came back to us saying stop the Thames Sewage Pump because there are better alternatives. Not a single person we spoke to supported the scheme."

Ian McNuff is a founding member of Save Our Lands and River (Credit: Save Our Lands and River)

The signed postcards have come from residents across the community, with many local businesses acting as collection points – including the Flying Cloud Cafe, the Anglers Pub, The Wharf restaurant, and Hammerton's Ferry.

Volunteers have also been stationed at Teddington Lock over the week - and will continue this week - giving people the opportunity to register their objections before the public consultation closes on Tuesday, 26 August.

Individuals can still submit their objections directly by FREEPOST or by emailing [email protected]. Campaigners are urging all to make their views heard before the deadline.

Leonie Dubois, Head of Engagement, Land and Consents at Thames Water said: "Local people have our absolute assurance that sewage cannot enter the river through this project. The Teddington Direct River Abstraction project is essential to safeguarding Londoners' drinking water supply during periods of drought.

 "It will keep the taps running for millions of people, businesses, schools and hospitals, providing up to 75 million litres of water each day. The project's design is simple. It involves taking water from the River Thames and pumping it up to our Lee Valley Reservoirs, ready to bolster water supply. We'll then top up the Thames with highly treated, recycled water."