Thames Tideway Tunnel: draft reasons for specifying the project as a Specified Infrastructure Project and issuing a Preparatory Work Notice

This consultation seeks views on the draft reasons for specifying the Thames Tideway Tunnel as a Specified Infrastructure Project under the Water Industry (Specified Infrastructure Projects) (English Undertakers) Regulations 2013.

We are also seeking views on draft reasons for issuing a preparatory work notice for Thames Water Utilities Ltd. These draft reasons may change in response to consultation and if the Secretary of State decides to proceed.

If, after this consultation, the Secretary of State decides to issue a “Specification Notice” for the Thames Tideway Tunnel project, then Thames Water (the existing water and sewerage company) would be required to obtain competitive bids for a new independent company that will finance and deliver the Tunnel rather than delivering the project itself.

Thames Water would also only be able to carry out certain preparatory work for the Tunnel as set out in an accompanying Preparatory Work Notice. Ofwat will then consider designating and licensing the successful bidder as the “infrastructure provider”. This competitive tendering process should ultimately help ensure better value for money for customers.

We seek views from:

• the public
• Ofwat
• Mayor of London
• London local authorities
• London MPs with an interest
• EFRA Committee
• English Water and Sewerage companies
• Consumer Council for Water