By Lynda Myer
As a symbol of the healthier future of the River Thames, the Loo Gardens that is a natural subterranean oasis and nested within the Thames Tideway Tunnel, was revealed by Tideway has on 30 June 2023.
Banning entrance of millions tons of raw sewage into the river every year, this unique underground installation features a river-inspired experience, pays tribute to the positive environmental impact the super sewer promises for London.
Once the system is actively tested in 2024, the Tideway project is due to protect the River Thames for the first time.
Additionally, the chance of visiting the super sewer and head 50 meters beneath the city to explore the underground garden, and see the scale of this impressive infrastructure up close, was presented to lucky members of the public by Tideway.
Providing a cleaner healthier river environment, the super sewer will prevent 95% of sewage spills following its fully operational. The ecological benefits will be significant for the hundreds of species of fish, birds, mammals and riverside flora that call the Thames home
According to Andy Mitchell, CEO of Tideway: “We’re thrilled to unveil Loo Gardens – an underground oasis that symbolizes the incredible environmental legacy that the Thames Tideway Tunnel will offer London and its communities for years to come. This subterranean haven provides a multisensory experience, featuring the nature that will thrive once the super sewer is fully up and running. The garden points to a cleaner, greener future, and an example of the long-lasting legacy the tunnel will leave, far outlasting its construction.”
The scheduled date for completion of Tideway project is 2025, following secondary lining, connection, commissioning and testing works, while this project has created over than 4,000 sustainable jobs and more than 150 apprenticeships until now.
