Last night saw the first meeting of the new Community Liaison Working Group (CLWG) for the Thames Tideway Tunnel (TTT) project at Chambers Wharf.

It was good to see such a strong turnout from the community. This is, without doubt, going to be an issue which will cause huge inconvenience and nuisance for many local residents. Sadly, despite everyone’s best efforts, we weren’t able to stop the plan to tunnel from the site. Now, the challenge will be to ensure that residents are kept informed, that problems are resolved quickly, that mitigation measures are followed through and that the community receive some long-term benefit through TTT’s funding agreements.

At the meeting, the local community expressed a view that one of the ward councillors should chair the group. I took on that role at the initial meeting and will be happy to continue as chair for so long as the community wish. My job as a councillor is to ensure that residents views are heard and acted upon (whether with TTT or any other local issue) and I am determined to ensure that the impact from these works are kept to a minimum.

Yesterday’s meeting saw the first couple of successes for the CLWG – first, we were able to change the opening hours of the TTT ‘Information Centre’ to ensure that local residents who work during the day would be able to attend; second, we secured TTT’s commitment to distribute information on the works to all residents within 250m of the site and contact details for the TTT team and the CLWG. I will work to ensure that this task is completed ASAP.

As the contractors are beginning their initial works on site, please don’t hesitate to contact me with any specific problems or queries. I will be happy to represent these to TTT or seek information/advice from the appropriate person.

Over the coming days, I will be meeting with the team behind the project to get further briefings on the work plan, speak with the Council Officers involved in the project and will also begin meeting with local residents who are particularly affected by the works. If you would like to discuss the issues with me, please don’t hesitate to contact me by emailing: hamish.mccallum@southwark.gov.uk.

As the plans develop, I will be sending regular updates about the scheme and the work of the CLWG. If you would like to receive these emails, just email me at the above address or sign up here.