Kingston Independent Residents Group

PETITION: Stop the TDRA Scheme – Protect Our Thames

The Thames is one of Kingston’s greatest assets – a source of natural beauty, recreation, and wellbeing for our community. But a proposal from Thames Water now threatens to change it forever.

What is the TDRA scheme?

Thames Water wants to build the Teddington Direct River Abstraction (TDRA) scheme right on our doorstep. This would involve:

• Extracting huge volumes of water from the Thames at Teddington.
• Replacing it with treated effluent pumped back into the river further downstream.
• Major tunnelling works and a construction shaft near Tudor Drive in our ward.

Why this matters to Tudor Ward residents

This isn’t just about a piece of infrastructure – it’s about the long-term health of our river and community. The scheme:

• Risks harming the Thames’ fragile ecology and wildlife.
• Could permanently scar our riverside landscape.
• Raises serious questions about health and environmental safety.
• Is being forced through without meaningful local consultation or consent.

Where we stand – and why we are fighting this

Cllr Jamal Chohan, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, said: “Let me be absolutely clear: I oppose the TDRA scheme in its current form, and I will fight it every step of the way.

“Kingston residents should not be treated as an afterthought in decisions that will affect our river, our green spaces, and our quality of life for decades. This proposal is being pushed through at speed, with corporate interests put ahead of environmental protection and public health.

“Our community deserves better. We have a right to say no – and I intend to make sure our voices are heard loud and clear.”

How you can help stop the TDRA

We need as many objections as possible to show Thames Water and the decision-makers that this plan is unacceptable.

We’ve made it simple to object:

• If you live in Tudor Ward and received Jamal’s latest ward letter, you’ll find a flyer inside. Fill it out with your name, postcode, and email address and send it back to us.
• Alternatively, you can fill in the below petition and we’ll submit your objection for you.

You can also learn more about the campaign here: www.saveourlandsandriver.org.uk

Your voice matters

Local campaigns work when we stand together. We’ve seen before – with the pension fund divestment campaign – that when residents speak up, the council has to act.

The Thames is part of who we are in Kingston. We cannot allow it to be treated as a dumping ground or an experiment. Join me in stopping this damaging scheme. Together, we can protect our river for future generations.

Stop the TDRA Scheme – Protect Our Thames

Read the Petition

Dear Sir/Madam,

I wish to object in full to Thames Water’s proposed Teddington Direct River Abstraction (TDRA) scheme because :

1. it will cause permanent damage to the local environment and water quality of the River Thames.
2. Thames Water have not provided evidence they will protect the River Thames from bacterial (e.g. E Coli) or chemical contaminants contained in the treated effluent that will be pumped into the river.
3. TDRA is a low-quality scheme that will have permanent impacts on the river, the riverside and Thames Water have provided wholly inadequate details of any improvements they will make to the local environment.
4. I believe there are better alternatives: e.g., reducing leaks faster to improve supply or constructing the Beckton Reuse scheme which, even though it is more expensive, has more long-term benefits to London.
5. Thames Water have not properly engaged with the local community and has not provided information about any real protections to the excessive noise and dust etc from construction of the scheme.

I believe the new abstraction plant and outfall with associated fencing and in-river defences along with a very large kiosk will make a negative change to the special character of the riverside and river.

By including my full name, address and postcode, I expect my objection to be formally registered and passed to the Planning Inspectorate.

Yours faithfully,

%%your signature%%

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