Fears have been raised over plans to build an artificial channel to tackle flooding from the River Thames in London and Surrey as the risk from climate change grows.
A petition signed by more than 18,000 people demands ‘special’ lake Shepperton Open Water Swim be left out of the proposed route, which totals around 8.5km, raising concerns about the impact the scheme could have on water quality.
The River Thames Scheme, from the Environment Agency and Surrey County Council, would see a new river channel built in two sections close to the Thames – known as the Runnymede Channel Section and the Spelthorne Channel Section.
The scheme covers an area from Egham, Surrey, to Teddington, Richmond.
Excess water from the Thames would be diverted into the new channel sections to reduce the risk of flooding to homes, businesses and infrastructure.
The route would flow through lakes, intersect watercourses and cross under major roads.
New footpaths and cycleways would be built along the channel and through new public spaces created by the scheme, while capacity at three weirs and the Desborough Cut would be increased.
As the scheme is a project of national signficance, it requires a development consent order before full funding can be approved and building works begin.
Public consultation has been carried out on the scheme, which is still at the pre-application stage.
But a Change.org petition demanding the Spelthorne Channel Section route does not cut into lake Shepperton Open Water Swim, on Ferry Lane, is growing – with 18,091 signatures so far.
The petition says: “The route of the scheme does not need to include Shepperton Open Water Swimming Lake. It will cause a deterioration in bathing water quality and impact the existing standing water which supports the Ferris Meadows site of nature conservation interest.
“Thames Water regularly discharges raw sewage into the Thames and channelling that water through landfill sites into a lake currently fed only by groundwater and rainwater is unacceptable.
“It poses a serious risk to the health of swimmer[s] and the safety of the lake and threatens the natural habitats it supports.”
Visitors of the lake have thrown their support behind the petition.
Janine Jackson wrote: “This lake is beyond special and must be saved at all cost!
“I’m an amputee and this was the first open water venue that I tried out which was accessible.
“The support at this lake is amazing and since that first swim, I’ve gone on to swim several long distance swims.
“The water quality is fantastic which makes it a safe place to swim and should be protected. Do not touch this safe haven for the hundreds of people who come here to experience the beauty of nature.”
Sally Panter commented: “This is a favourite and rare place for open air swimming in a beautiful natural environment.
“My whole family go including my 88-year-old mum!
“It is run by dedicated and friendly people who have created a lovely community of swimmers of varying ages and backgrounds.
“It provides safe, well-maintained, high-quality amenity at reasonable cost to people from a huge area.
“With the issues with river pollution this lake is a gem that should be preserved.”
Brian Lynch also said: “There are so few fresh water lakes available around London to swim in, degrading the quality of the water would be a major step backwards.”
In another comment, David Ashton argued it “would be a tragedy if this place was to become contaminated”.
Peter King added: “This is simply the most sacred and amazing place. It must be saved.”
Responding to concerns raised in the petition, a River Thames Scheme spokesperson said: “The River Thames Scheme will reduce the risk of flooding to homes, businesses and infrastructure, improve access to quality green open space, create a more sustainable travel network and increase biodiversity by creating a network of high-quality wildlife habitat.
“The River Thames Scheme has consulted widely with landowners and the public about the scheme, including with Shepperton Open Water Swim Lake.
“These discussions are important to us to help us develop the project and they are ongoing. The public will be further consulted on the proposed scheme at the next public consultation.”
A Thames Water spokesperson said: “Taking action to improve the health of rivers is a key focus for us.
“The discharge of untreated sewage is unacceptable, and it’s understandable why the public are demanding more from water companies to do better.
“The Thames Tideway Tunnel , which will be completed by 2025, at a total investment of more than £4billion, is designed to dramatically improve the water quality of the River Thames by capturing around 95% of sewage overflows.
“We recently announced our plans to invest £1.6bn on our sewage treatment works and networks over the next two years and are striving every day to reduce the discharge of untreated sewage into our rivers.
“This will help us to deliver our commitment to a 50 per cent reduction in the total annual duration of discharges across London and the Thames Valley by 2030, and within that an 80pc reduction in sensitive catchments.
“In London, we have started the £100million upgrade of Mogden sewage treatment works, which will increase capacity and reduce the number of storm discharges from the site, and we’re also spending £145m upgrading Beckton sewage works.
“At the beginning of the year we published an online map providing close to real-time information about storm discharges from all of our 468 permitted locations and this continues to be updated with information on improvements being planned for more than 250 sites across our region.”
