Thame's Water has pulled out of attending today's (27 November) town hall event in person due to safety concerns.

They will instead be attending virtually to discuss the plans.

The controversial water recycling scheme proposes to take water from above Teddington Weir, transfer it via an existing underground tunnel to the Lee Valley reservoirs, and replace it with treated wastewater from Mogden Sewage Treatment Works. 

Tonight's public meeting is being held by Richmond Council.

At the last town hall event, a local campaign group Save Ham Lands and River held a neighbourhood march from St Richards Church/St Richards Primary School, to the YMCA Hawker Centre, where Thames Water was hosting a community information event.   

A spokesperson from Thames Water said: "Unfortunately, at the most recent information event on Monday 20 November the local action group Save Ham Lands and River (SHLAR) used aggressive and intimidating tactics that go against the principles in which we operate.

"Their actions led to two of our team members sustaining minor injuries.  

"Given this, we believe it's safest for all involved with the event that we attend the session online.  

The spokesperson added: "As a reminder, we have recently completed four information events in the community, where the majority of conversations have been constructive, helping customers, communities and stakeholders better understand the project and how they can input to the process."  

Cllr Andée Frieze, for Ham, Petersham & Richmond, who was present at the march said: "On behalf of the people in my ward, I am incredibly disappointed that Thames Water will only be joining the Town Hall on Monday 27 November online, not in person as planned.

"The community wants to hear from Thames Water directly and tell them about our deep concerns over the destruction the proposed pipeline will cause to our beloved Ham Lands.

She added: "The march and rally that residents and I took part in on Monday 20 November from St Richard's School in Ham to the Hawker Centre, where Thames Water was hosting its public information event, were entirely peaceful.

"There was noisy chanting and a protest song to the tune of Pink Floyd's 'The Wall', but no physical interaction or even verbal intimidation. In fact, the police officers present made a point of telling me that it was a really successful demonstration in their view as they weren't needed."

A spokesperson from Save Ham Lands and River said that on Monday 20 November local people "enacted the democratic right to protest" their concerns over Thames Water's TDRA scheme and residents by taking part in a good natured protest march.

Save Ham Lands held a protest march. (Photo Credit: Save Ham Lands and River).

The spokesperson said: "On arrival, our supporters held a brief rally with singing and chanting outside the centre, in the presence of several police officers.

"It passed by without incident, aside from a mild disagreement over opening the windows, where a handful of people were chanting outside. 

"We are disappointed that after failing to hold any community consultation event in Ham & Petersham itself, Thames Water have used people's right to protest as a reason not to turn up to a public meeting due to be hosted at York House by Richmond Council on Monday 27 November.

"We thank everyone who attended the march and extend our gratitude to the local police for their support and excellent handling of proceedings."

They added: "In addition to this, we have been made aware of claims that Thames Water representatives were injured at the Hawker Centre in Kingston.

"We were not made aware of any incidents at the event itself despite Thames Water staff being accompanied by their own security team and the presence of several local police officers throughout."

Richard James, Chief Executive of the YMCA St Pauls Group, which covers the Hawkers Centre where the event took place said that the protest was peaceful and friendly.

He explained that some protesters sang through an open window but there were no reports of any injuries.

He said: "I spoke to the three police officers who were present after the event and they said that there had been no issues.

"I have heard nothing of any injuries and I have spoken to other people at the centre and they have not heard anything."

He added: "It was a group of people who were frustrated at not being heard.

"Local people just want Thames Water to listen and they aren't."

The in-person spaces are now fully booked, however, you can still register to watch online.