§ Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what communications he has had with the authorities responsible for clearing driftwood from the Thames; and what information he has about the progress that has been made in this work.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsI understand that the Port of London Authority and the Greater London Council are currently 271W discussing ways of improving arrangements for clearing driftwood from the river. Under the Water Act 1973, the Thames Water Authority is required by April 1975 to submit proposals for the transfer to the GLC of amenity and recreational functions for the Thames in London. The GLC has indicated to the PLA that, following the transfer, it will want to consider jointly their respective functions in the clearance of driftwood which relates to visual amenity as well as to navigation.
Driftwood has been more noticeable this year because of the low summer rainfall resulting in a reduced water flow which has led to the accumulation of debris in the upper river.
The PLA has, during the past five years, collected 34,000 tons of driftwood at a cost of over £250,000. In recent months it has also doubled the number of moored driftwood barges available for the public dumping of rubbish and so on.