£4.5bn Thames Tideway Tunnel project takes a step towards cleaning the River Thames with a unique garden installation

Thames Water has unveiled an underground garden, dubbed the ‘loo garden’, within London’s £4.5bn Super Sewer project, marking a significant milestone for the Thames Tideway Tunnel. The garden, nestled 50 meters below ground, stretches along a section of the 25km tunnel beneath Acton and Beckton, and is adorned with trees, flowers, and hanging moss. It symbolises the main goal of the project: to clean the River Thames and restore natural habitats.

In collaboration with Time Out, Thames Water hosted a unique event on July 10, where 20 lucky people (plus a guest each) were selected through a ballot to be lowered into the tunnel by crane to witness this underground oasis before the flow of London’s sewage begins. The tunnel, expected to be operational by spring or summer next year, will help reduce sewage spills into the Thames by 95% by providing extra capacity for sewage treatment.

Andy Mitchell, CEO of Tideway, which is funding the project, expressed strong confidence that the Thames Tideway Tunnel will successfully meet its environmental objectives. Despite concerns about Thames Water’s financial troubles, Mitchell reassured the public that the project will proceed. “It’s inconceivable that anything would derail this project,” he said, referring to the long-term impact of cleaning the river and the health benefits it will bring.

Designed to last 120 years, the tunnel is expected to remain in use for much longer. Mitchell highlighted the positive ecological impact the tunnel will have on the river, including the return of fish and other wildlife. The Super Sewer represents a critical effort to restore the Thames to a healthier state, with the project serving as a long-term solution for the city’s water and sewage management.