Mogden work to go ahead despite ownership change - Cable

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 17th Oct 2006

Vincent Cable has received a "categorical assurance" that work to cover the main tanks at Mogden is proceeding

Residents have expressed concern that the sell off of Thames Water, to one of several bidders now seeking to acquire it, may hinder work to reduce odour from Mogden. However, the Managing Director of Thames Water, Jeremy Pelczer, has written to Vincent Cable MP (Liberal Democrat MP for Twickenham) to give a "categorical assurance" that the work will proceed (it started in February) and be completed by August 2008 as agreed. Indeed, the steelwork for the covers on the main tanks has already started.

Vincent Cable, Lib Dem MP for Twickenham, said:

"The overall position of Thames Water is worrying since groups are circling to buy it which have no background or experience whatever in running utilities or in the water industry and are simply looking for high returns for their shareholders. But the commitment to complete the Mogden work seems absolutely rock solid. I can't ask for any more than a "categorical assurance" and for the clear evidence that work to cover the main tanks is proceeding."