Thames ‘Super Sewer’ project delivers new public space on Putney’s Riverside

Councillor Akinola was one of the guests at the formal ribbon cutting of the new community open space on Putney Embankment that’s been delivered as part of the Tideway scheme to clean up London’s major waterway.

The Tideway project is designed to stop sewage being discharged into the Thames when storm drains overflow during heavy rainfall. Putney Embankment is the location of a key piece of the ‘Super Sewer’ infrastructure that will intercept the sewer overflows that run underneath Putney Bridge.

Cllr Akinola said: “I was delighted to attend the formal opening of this new riverside public space. It has been thoughtfully designed and will offer residents and visitors to Putney a wonderful new public space to relax and view the river from a new vantage point.

"I hope people will treasure this new space and look after it by not leaving any litter there that could blow into the river and harm wildlife and its eco-system."

The artworks reflect Putney’s riverside heritage. They include bronze handrails cast from oars; a bronze marker for the start line of the University Boat Race; and artworks on the walls of Tideway’s operational kiosk building. Timber-laid benches facing the river are positioned to make the most of the view upstream to Hammersmith and downstream, through the bridge arches, while the Cornish granite used for the space comes from the quarry used to construct Putney Bridge, nearly 140 years ago.

The tunnel is due to be fully operational in 2025, when it will prevent an estimated 95 per cent of sewage spills that currently overflow into the Thames, improving the water quality for fish and other wildlife - and for people who use it for recreation and leisure.

To find out more about the new public space and the Tideway project in Putney please visit https://www.tideway.london/locations/putney-embankment-foreshore/