Richmond Council’s position on the Thames Tunnel Commission has come under scrutiny.

Members of the council’s environment, sustainability and community overview and scrutiny committee met on Thursday, November 10, to discuss whether the council joining the commission was, in effect, against the tunnel when the council had expressed support at an earlier consultation.

The Thames Tunnel Commission was launched on Monday, July 4, with the aim of probing super sewer proposals in depth and looking to find better alternatives.

Richmond Council paid £5,000 to help the commission research possible alternatives to the 20-mile tunnel, including a shorter structure.

According to the call in note, the council needed to addresses the issue of whether: “in supporting the work of the commission the council has departed from its position, expressed as part of the earlier consultation response.”

Council representatives, including leader Lord True, said joining the commission was the right thing to do and assured committee members the decision to be part of the project did not mean they were against principal plans to sort out the capital’s sewage problems.

Lord True said: “Dealing with the sewer problem in the Thames is immensely important and the idea there’s been a change in that position is not true.

“There is an issue as to affordability and the matter of whether it is entirely suitable for purpose particularly against the background of concerns raised.”

Councillor Martin Elengorn said he thought joining the commission showed a lack of support for the Thames Tunnel project, believed to be necessary to stop sewage leaking into the Thames.

He said: “It’s rather surprising I think and a bit of a shock that the total country agrees on the tunnel and our leader this year said ‘this is one prestige project that could be shelved until better days’.”

And Councillor Jerry Elloy added: “When [the commission] talks about looking at it again there have been several reviews already by very well qualified bodies... how many more people need to see this thing then finish up with this idea?”

Councillor True said he did not regret the decision to join the commission.

He said: “It was perfectly reasonable for this council and four other area boroughs to support the view there should be a second opinion taken.”