As the residents' court case against Thames Water continues, Lib Dem campaigners - including Vince Cable MP and Prospective MP Councillor Andrew Dakers - have teamed up with Independent councillors and campaigners for a photo-call outside Mogden Sewage works in Isleworth. Campaigners renewed their calls for much faster action by Thames and OFWAT to cover the remaining six storm water tanks.

Vince Cable, Lib Dem Prospective MP for Twickenham and Shadow Chancellor said:

"Several years ago, following the campaign in which I and others were involved, Thames Water covered two of the storm tanks and the main areas of the works which generate odour with a £50 million investment programme.

"This has undoubtedly improved matters but there are still problems with the uncovered tanks when there are unpredictable weather patterns. These problems could get worse when the plant expands in the next few years. This is why today we are renewing our call for a much a tighter timetable for covering the remaining storm tanks."

Cllr Andrew Dakers, Lib Dem Prospective MP for Brentford & Isleworth Constituency, said:

"Vince Cable and I first called last Autumn for the six remaining storm tanks to be covered. It is just incredible that this has not already been addressed after years and years of protests. We have long supported residents' call for responsible investment in the sewage works and will continue to do so. If elected as MP, my priority for Isleworth will be to knock heads together at Thames Water and OFWAT so that an end is found to this sorry saga."

Cllr Paul Fisher, Independent Community Group, who recently gave evidence at the High Court along with Cllr Shirley Fisher, added:

"It was excellent that both Vince Cable MP and prospective MP Councillor Andrew Dakers both came along to Mogden today. They recognise what a blight on our local community this plant is and the complete failure by Thames Water to stop the odour which permeates the local area.

"How shameful that our current incumbent Labour MP Ann Keen welcomed the decision to increase the plant's capacity by over 50% when so many of her constituents suffer so greatly already."

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Hounslow Lib Dem Leader and Prospective MP Cllr Andrew Dakers has released a new YouTube video in his continued support of the campaign to reduce aircraft noise and Heathrow's expansion by stealth. He has posted a two minute video clip on the popular video distribution service to explain how he believes the Cranford Agreement can be restored by local authorities putting a private bill before Parliament. The 1952 Agreement, which the Labour Government announced the end of in January 2009, prevented planes from taking off over densely populated Cranford from Heathrow's Northern runway.

Cllr Andrew Dakers, Prospective MP for Brentford & Isleworth, says:

"The Cranford Agreement was a barrier to increasing the number of flights through mixed-mode operation of the runways. It is to the lasting shame of Hounslow's MPs Ann and Alan Keen that they allowed the abolition of the Agreement. Voters can tell them what they think of that by signing our on-line petition.

"You can find my Cranford Agreement Bill video clip by searching the YouTube.com website with 'Andrew Dakers Cranford'. You will also find that I have produced a number of other videos explaining the Liberal Democrat vision and policies for the Borough."

Local Lib Dem campaigner, Mona Naqvi, added:

"Using the Internet to get communicate our policies is really important for the Liberal Democrats. Unlike the Tories who benefit from the funding of non-dom Lord Ashcroft we have limited means. We hope that local people will visit our local websites to see the raft of carefully considered policies we have developed to improve Hounslow and defend local residents' interests."

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Andrew Dakers' Cranford video clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g1OPNKcg7k

2. Andrew Dakers' detailed paper on the Cranford Agreement Bill:

http://tinyurl.com/CranfordAgreementBill

3. Explanation of Cranford Agreement:

http://www.hacan.org.uk/resources/reports/alternation.cranford.agreement.explained.pdf

4. Lib Dem No 2 More Flights petition: http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/no2moreflights

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An online petition from Hounslow Liberal Democrats has gone live that backs up Cllr Dakers and Vince Cable's call last Autumn for the six remaining storm tanks at Mogden Sewage to be covered. Cllr Dakers has also given his backing to residents action against Thames Water which is currently underway at the High Court.

Cllr Dakers, Leader of Hounslow Liberal Democrats and Prospective MP for Brentford & Isleworth Constituency, said:

"I welcome the residents action against Thames Water and wish them every success.

"If your child can not concentrate on their homework because of the odour, as many residents have complained to me, then you have good reason for continued concern.

"This is why Vince Cable and I believe it would be good to see Thames Water take the lead in ending the odour blighting residents lives, rather than leaving residents suffering for what could be at least five years.

"Only two of eight storm tanks are currently covered. Waiting another four or five years until the current expansion programme is completed to discover whether use of the storm tanks has lessened and the odour abated is not good enough."

"Please sign the petition online at http://tinyurl.com/mogdenpetition "

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In a statement released today Cllr Andrew Dakers, Leader of Hounslow Liberal Democrats, said: "Mogden Sewage Works in Isleworth has for too long blighted the lives of many in our local community. In July 2001, after numerous complaints from local residents, the Council took the first steps to tackle this problem and served an odour abatement notice on Thames Water. However it was only seven years later, and after a long legal challenge, that Thames Water finally agreed to comply. Despite recent improvements to the plant facilities (e.g. covering many tanks), unpredictable weather patterns and six storm tanks that remain uncovered mean that local residents still regularly suffer from the odour. This is why I am now calling for further action by Thames Water to address the impact of Mogden odour on local residents' lives."

EXPANSION OF THE PLANT

"As I recorded in my support for the motion on Thursday 5 March at Isleworth and Brentford Area Committee - whilst I voted in favour of the final decision on Mogden sewage works expansion at Sustainable Development Committee on Wednesday 4 March (after initially abstaining) - this was done with a heavy heart and considerable regret at the limited powers of local planning authorities. On the basis of the evidence before us and the planning framework, it appeared the planning authority had no other course of action.

"Unfortunately what was not made clear to the Sustainable Development Committee is the extent to which storm tanks are being used and that this may not be in line with good practice management of sewage works. If this is the case it should have been a material consideration before the planning committee. It would also throw into question the decision to sell off Perry Oaks sewage treatment works.

"Whilst there is of course a reality that sewage must be treated somewhere, Mogden's location in the heart of an urban area and the fact that the odour problem with the existing plant not been fully resolved, makes its expansion at this time highly questionable. This is why I am urging Thames Water to engage our community and its investors in a genuine and open dialogue about alternative options for future sewage infrastructure in West London. This process should help clarify the potential benefits and practicalities of extending the reach of the Thames Tideway tunnel to Isleworth from Hammersmith."

REPORTING ODOUR

"I welcome the initiative led by Cllr Jon Hardy to establish a 24hr telephone line and mobile odour recording facility in the past few weeks.

"If the Council is to take further action to halt the odour problem it is now vitally important that residents report instances of odour to the hotline: 020 8583 5555 during office hours (Monday - Friday 8.45am to 5pm) and 020 8583 2222 out of hours (5pm - 8.45am Weekdays / all weekend).

"Residents should also ensure that all complaints are emailed to MRAG (mrag27@aol.com) for logging and investigation.

"Given the continued impact of Mogden odour on the local community, I support Cllr Hardy's endeavour to serve an abatement notice on Thames Water."

TIME FOR THAMES WATER TO COVER THE SIX OPEN STORM TANKS

"It would be great to see Thames Water take the lead in ending the odour blighting residents lives and bring this costly debate to an end, rather than leaving residents suffering for what could be at least five years.

"Only two of eight storm tanks are currently covered. Waiting another four or five years until the current expansion programme is completed to discover whether use of the storm tanks has lessened and the odour abated is not good enough. If your child can not concentrate on their homework because of the odour, as many residents have complained to me, then you have good reason for continued concern.

"Thames Water management should begin planning the investment immediately to cover the remaining storm tanks. This should no longer be considered dependent on a contribution by OFWAT but good management of the plant.

"My suggestion is that Thames Water focus on covering an additional three storm tanks by the end of March 2010 and, if the odour has not reduced substantially during next summer, the final three by the end of next year.

"We must not lose sight of the fact that relative to expanding the sewage works, covering the storm tanks should neither be considered prohibitively expensive nor a particularly lengthy build."

NOTES TO EDITORS

Isleworth and Brentford Area Committee motion - 5 March 2009:

This Area Committee regrets the decision of the Sustainable Development Committee to approve the application by Thames Water to expand its operation in such a way that is likely to have a detrimental effect on the quality of life of local residents.

This Committee now calls upon officers of the Council to do everything in their power to ensure that any inconvenience or misery caused to residents is kept to an absolute minimum, that all conditions agreed and attached to the application are fully adhered to without exception, and that in the event of them not being adhered to all necessary avenues of enforcement will be pursued.

Six in favour - Councillors Dakers (Liberal Democrat), Shirley Fisher (Independent Community Group), Paul Fisher (Independent Community Group), Hardy (Independent Community Group), Caroline Andrews (Independent Community Group) and Phil Andrews (Independent Community Group).

Three against - Councillors Cadbury (Labour), O'Reilly (Conservative) and Reid (Conservative).

http://democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=215&MId=4772

For recent reports see: -

Thames Water's website:

http://www.thameswater.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/SID-B9FE4730-388FDC1B/corp/hs.xsl/921_2343.htm

H2S readings for August:

http://www.thameswater.co.uk/cps/rde/xbcr/corp/odour-monitor-readings-august-2009.pdf

CALL FOR MORE ACTION ON MOGDEN 'PONG' - CABLE

Vince Cable MP has supported the initiative of a group of Hounslow councillors-Lib Dem and Independent-pressing for a tighter programme to cover the storm tanks at Mogden Sewage Works. In recent weeks there have been growing complaints about the smell in Twickenham, St Margarets and Whitton as well as Isleworth-which is most affected-in the wake of large autumn rainfall.

Vince Cable said:

"Following the campaign in which I and others were involved several years ago Thames Water covered two of the storm tanks and the main areas of the works which generate odour with a £50 million investment programme.

This has undoubtedly improved matters but there are still problems with the uncovered tanks when there are unpredictable weather patterns. These problems could get worse when the plant expands in the next few years unless there is a tighter timetable for covering the storm tanks."

ENDS

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Dear editor, I arrived yesterday, like many campers by bicycle - in fact my locally made Brompton. Like most arrivals on Monday I was stopped and searched. According to the police paperwork this was because I could have been carrying an offensive weapon.

Of course the real security risk to my constituents - which the police cannot protect us against - are so many planes flying over our homes. BAA, and seemingly the government, remain determined to increase these dangers with a third runway.

Time is no longer on our side if we are to get a handle on the worst impacts of climate change. Whilst government pontificates, London boroughs like Hounslow must block further growth in aviation and lead our communities in a rapid transition to low carbon living. The technological solutions, as demonstrated at the climate camp this week, are there for the taking, we just need to get on with the implementation.

Andrew Dakers

Councillor for Brentford Ward

Leader of Hounslow Liberal Democrats

• An edited version of this letter was published in the Evening Standard

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Campaigners have today succeeded in stopping the worst excesses of an injunction that would have seen a wide-ranging ban on the forthcoming 'Climate Camp' demonstrations at Heathrow. Even the Queen would have been under injunction in her capacity as patron of the Council for Protection of Rural England (CPRE). Lib Dem Cllr Dakers, who as a member of Friends of the Earth was threatened by the injunction, joined fellow campaigners outside the High Court at the start of hearing and has welcomed today's result. He plans to spend some of his summer break at the camp.

Cllr Dakers, Leader of Hounslow Liberal Democrats, said:

"The Camp for Climate Change at Heathrow has not come a moment too soon. I look forward to spending a few days of my summer break at the camp and may deliver some training workshops to help support the development of fellow participants campaigning skills."

"Gordon Brown's commitment to tackling climate change is now in doubt. He has downgraded the key cabinet committee on the environment from a full cabinet committee chaired by the Prime Minister to a sub-committee chaired by the Chancellor. In addition a sub-committee which aimed to embed sustainable development in central government departments has been scrapped entirely.

"This, along with a clear Department for Transport appetite to introduce a third runway at Heathrow, sends a clear sign that climate change is not a priority for the Prime Minister. The government's position on the environment is a shambles and Brown's green façade is fast fading."

Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, Susan Kramer MP said:

"I am relieved that the judge has thrown out the most extreme parts of this injunction. However, BAA should never have used such heavy-handed methods.

"The Company must learn to listen to the legitimate concerns of long-suffering residents who are becoming more and more angry at Heathrow's ever-increasing impact on their lives.

"BAA should concentrate on reducing delays at Heathrow, not squeezing in more and more flights."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Hounslow Liberal Democrats Heathrow Airport Policy Statement

We recognise the vital contribution that Heathrow airport makes to employment and the Borough's economy. However we want to develop an economy strong in its diversity and also recognise the urgency of reducing the impacts of aviation on local health and the global environment.

We will therefore continue to campaign against an expansion of Heathrow airport and retain 'runway alternation', as well as a strengthening of aircraft noise controls. Campaigning by Lib Dems and environmental groups in South-West London against night flights has had some success and BAA have admitted that it should be possible to reduce the noise with newer, quieter planes. We are determined to keep up the pressure.

For more information on the Climate Camp visit:

http://www.climatecamp.org.uk/

Brown downgrades cabinet committee on climate change

The Independent, 5 August 2007

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article2836180.ece

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Today the Liberal Democrat conference in Harrogate called for an end to Heathrow expansion in a conference motion. Andrew Dakers, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson for Brentford & Isleworth, pledged to lie in front of the bulldozers if the government allowed the construction of a third runway to go ahead.

Andrew Dakers said:

"Heathrow is already the world's busiest international airport and the cost of further a third runway will be paid for by Hounslow residents, who will suffer a staggering decline in their quality of life.

"Gordon Brown has indicated his determination to find a way round the problem, launching a new study aimed at 'identifying solutions that would allow' the runway to be built. Gordon's Private Parliamentary Secretary, local MP Ann Keen, should get her boss to try living under the Hounslow flight path.

"If the government allows a third runway to go ahead I will lie in front of the bulldozers. It is a moral outrage that the Labour would kowtow to big companies and subject Hounslow residents to more aircraft noise and more air pollution."

Satnam Kaur Khalsa, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson for Feltham & Heston, added:

"Thousands of people may be forced to leave their homes because the Heathrow airport extension would render them unlivable. This weekend the Lib Dems have set out our vision for a strong, sustainable airline industry that respects environmental limits."

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