Kingston
Nub News Logo
Nub News

Local campaign group to boost protest against Teddington river abstraction project in new year

By Tilly O'Brien   2nd Jan 2026

Save Our Lands and River is actively campaigning against Thames Water's Teddington Direct River Abstraction project (Credit: Tilly O'Brien)
Save Our Lands and River is actively campaigning against Thames Water's Teddington Direct River Abstraction project (Credit: Tilly O'Brien)

Local campaign group, Save Our Lands and River (SOLAR), says it is aiming to start an E-petition this year, with 100,000 signatures, protesting against the Thames Water's Teddington Direct River Abstraction (TDRA) or 'Teddington sewage dump' as locals call it.

Speaking about its plans for the new year, SOLAR said: "2025 has been a defining year for us at Save Our Lands & River (SOLAR).

"It was the year we moved from preparation to mass mobilisation, culminating in a historic show of community strength. Together, we shifted the narrative from a local concern to a high-level political issue. While 2025 was about making our voices heard, 2026 will be even more significant.

"This is the year the fight goes to the national stage. Thames Water is expected to make their formal application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) later in the summer. This means the final decision will likely move out of Thames Water's hands and be determined by the Secretary of State.

"This is our time, to mobilise, to amplify and to SAVE OUR LANDS AND RIVER!"

A Thames Water spokesperson told Nub News: "It's critical that we progress our vital drought resilience project for London. Without action we forecast a shortfall of 1 billion litres of water every day by 2050. Our proposed Teddington Direct River Abstraction (TDRA) project will protect Londoners' water supply during periods of drought, providing up to 75 million litres of water each day whilst ensuring we work on protecting the environment. Local communities have our absolute assurance that no sewage will enter the River Thames through TDRA. It is physically impossible by design."

     

CHECK OUT OUR Jobs Section HERE!
kingston vacancies updated hourly!
Click here to see more: kingston jobs

     

Can we count on you? Local news is the heartbeat of Kingston
— it needs your support.

For less than the price of a cup of coffee each month,
you can help us keep telling the stories that matter to Kingston.
Support local journalism. Protect your community.

Thank you to those of you that have already contributed.
Monthly supporters will enjoy:
Ad-free experience

Share:

Comments (0)

Post comment

No comments yet!


Sign-up for our FREE newsletter...

We want to provide kingston with more and more clickbait-free news.

     

...or become a Supporter.
Kingston. Your Town. Your News.

Local news is essential for our community — but it needs your support.
Your donation makes a real difference.
For monthly donators:
Ad-free experience