Your general questions about the project

A: As part of the consultation process, we are in dialogue with a wide range of river users, including the organisers of the Boat Race, to help us develop the design of the tunnel so that its construction impact on their activities is kept as small as possible.

We see no reason why the Boat Race should not continue to be staged and will work hard with the organisers to ensure it does.

A: Our Site specific information papers give more details of potential localised impacts. We will work hard to reduce all such potential impacts. This forms a key part of the phase two consultation. As part of phase two consultation we have developed a draft Code of construction practice Part A: General requirements, which sets out control measures to be adopted during the project construction period.

A: We will be looking at how our plans affect this recreational route and where possible we will endeavour to keep the route open. Where we cannot, we will make sure that the detour around the site is well signed posted and suitable for use.

A: As part of the consultation process, we welcome feedback from all such people on the mitigating measures they would like us to undertake, should their site be taken forward to the next stage. We have already begun numerous discussions with local groups in relation to this issue.

A: Yes, this is a genuine consultation process.

We will use feedback gathered during phase two consultation to further refine our plans, where possible. We will publicise our proposed planning consent application in mid 2012 before submitting it for approval. At that time you will have another opportunity to comment on the scheme. Comments received will be considered before the application is formally submitted.

A: The project will tackle the problem of overflows from the capital's sewerage system for at least the next 100 years.

A: The CSOs discharge untreated sewage into the River Thames. This reduces the amount of dissolved oxygen in the river, which can result in significant fish kills. In June 2001, more , heavy rain in the west of London resulted in 26,000 fish being killed.

Because the sewerage system overflows directly to the river via the CSOs, there is no treatment or screening. This means that any litter in the sewers such as condoms, sanitary towels, etc. also gets flushed out directly into the river There is also a potential health hazard to river users.

A: Sewage entering the river via the most westerly CSOs (in the Hammersmith area) can take about a month to reach the sea, moving only a short overall distance east each day because of the effect of the tide.