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

Published: Thursday, September 28, 2023

Wandsworth Council’s Deputy Leader Kemi Akinola says she was delighted to attend the official opening of a brand new riverside public space in Putney.

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Cllr Akinola at the ribbon cutting performed by Putney MP Fleur Anderson with Andy Mitchell CBE, Chief Executive of Tideway (left) and Thames Water's Nevil Muncaster

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.

The new public space has been built on top of an access point to the subterranean tunnel that runs underneath the river and has been built on the Thames foreshore. It features high quality granite paving, seating areas and new artwork, including a new landmark starting position for the University Boat Race. 

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/

The new community space and its view overlooking the river and Putney Bridge