On Wednesday 1 March Dr John Pugh, Member of Parliament for Southport, and Amanda Solloway, Member of Parliament for Derby North, travelled underground into the Fleet Sewer, near Blackfriars Bridge, to explore at first hand Sir Joseph Bazalgette’s famous London sewer system.



This visit took place as part of their Industry and Parliament Trust (IPT) Fellowships examining the UK’s major new waste and construction projects.

To start the visit, John and Amanda received a briefing on the Thames Tideway Tunnel, which outlined the importance of the 16 mile tunnel that will stretch from Acton in West London to Abbey Mills in East London. Shortly after, both Members of Parliament changed into protective clothing and went underground for a tour of the Fleet Sewer.

Thereafter, John and Amanda participated in an educational boat ride with Tideway on a Clipper boat down the river to Westminster. Along the way, both members saw the Tideway construction projects currently being undertaken along the banks of the river near Embankment and spoke with Geoff Loader, Head of Stakeholder Engagement at Tideway, about the importance of investment into infrastructure projects.

This was the final visit of Dr John Pugh’s IPT Fellowship into waste management and the first visit of Amanda Solloway MP’s Fellowship examining the construction sector.



Commenting on the visit John Pugh MP said:

“Today I learnt a great deal about waste management systems in the UK and the importance of investment in our infrastructure. The Thames Tideway Tunnel is an essential construction project to ensure London’s sewer system is operating effectively and in an environmentally-friendly way. It was a great visit to complete my Fellowship.”

Commenting on the visit Amanda Solloway MP said:

“This major infrastructure project will ensure the UK meets European environmental standards and it was fascinating to see the Fleet Sewer in person. I look forward to further visits examining the subject of construction in the United Kingdom.”

Geoff Loader, Head of Stakeholder Engagement at Tideway, said:

“It was a great pleasure to show both John and Amanda the vital construction work we’re doing at Tideway. They were both very engaged throughout the day and eager to learn as much as possible about what we’re doing to deliver a cleaner River Thames and a crucial piece of infrastructure for London for generations to come.”

What does he look like???

Still, better than working for a living

Nice to see our taxes are being well spent.

Definitely of tenuous value to the town, similar to Cllr Dawson's 5 week working holiday to try to defeat trump whilst litigating in the US?!?!

However possibly a good metaphor for watching the town go down the toilet due to lack of investment. I'm sure he's a very nice man but we should just pay the very generous pension and hope that we can get someone who can make change and more than just sound bites plus photo opportunities for issues that probably aren't at the top of the list for his town.

Originally Posted by tonyhey

What does he look like???

John Pugh

Bet he didn't fall asleep this time !

He looks better.

I presume he blamed the smell on Brexit and I hope he put a claim in for expenses, waste of space MP like all the other LibDem MPs.

Originally Posted by Username2016

Definitely of tenuous value to the town, similar to Cllr Dawson's 5 week working holiday to try to defeat trump whilst litigating in the US?!?!

However possibly a good metaphor for watching the town go down the toilet due to lack of investment. I'm sure he's a very nice man but we should just pay the very generous pension and hope that we can get someone who can make change and more than just sound bites plus photo opportunities for issues that probably aren't at the top of the list for his town.

When the brown stuff hits the fan the Lib Dems are nowhere to be found.

Not the best of first dates John.