'Super sewer' could create 9,000 construction jobs

The building of the Thames Tunnel “super sewer” could create more than 9,000 jobs from 2016 - just as construction on Crossrail is being wound down - a Thames Water report has said.

The plans for the £4bn “super sewer” in the capital, drawn up by CH2M Hill and Thames Water, have been backed by the TUC and business organisation London First.

The report will be launched at the House of Commons later today, on the eve of the Budget.

David Leam, executive director of policy at London First, said: “For London to continue to compete on the world stage it needs world-class infrastructure.

“The Thames Tunnel will not only help clean up the capital’s river, but will also contribute to the city’s economic growth and prosperity. Bringing thousands of employment opportunities, it will ensure the capital’s sewerage system meets the demands of 21st Century London.”

Frances O’Grady, deputy general secretary of the TUC, added: “There are real gains to be made, not just in terms of the 4,000 direct new jobs and apprenticeships created in construction,engineering and maintenance, but thousands more in the supply chain.

“And a cleaner, greener Thames will help create employment in leisure and tourism too. The TUC is determined to see local people benefit from skilled, unionised jobs that pay a decent wage.”

More than 400 staff at CH2M Hill and Thames Water are currently working on developing the detailed proposals for the project, which is controversial because of the disruption tunnelling work would cause in densely populated areas such as Fulham and Southwark.