Thames Water deal to cut road closures

Under the deal between the water firm and the Mayor pilot schemes will be conducted to find ways of keeping routes open even while work is going on.

Thames Water's work to replace Victorian water mains with plastic tubing is one of the biggest causes of congestion in the capital.

In return for the company's co-operation, Mr Johnson has agreed to drop Ken Livingstone's legal action against its contentious plan for a water desalination plant in Beckton, east London.

Mr Livingstone had said the plant would add to carbon dioxide emissions, harming the environment, because of the huge amount of energy needed to convert seawater into drinking water.

But Mr Johnson has accepted Thames Water's reassurances that the project will be as green as possible and will supply a vital new source of water for the capital.

The firm claims that once the plant opens in 2009, it will provide enough water for 400,000 Londoners a day and avoid the need for any future hosepipe bans even if there is a drought.

A pledge to cut the number of needless road closures caused by utility works was a centre-piece of Mr Johnson's election campaign. Mr Livingstone had repeatedly blamed Thames Water's pipe replacement plan for the slowing of average traffic times.

Today's agreement between the Mayor and the company means that it will carry out pilot schemes to find innovative ways to reduce road closures.

One situation is the time when a newly laid pipe is flushed through with chlorine to make it safe to use. For up to a week, no work appears to be going on at the surface even though the road is still closed. Thames Water will now look at reopening routes while such under-ground testing goes ahead.

Mr Johnson said that the firm's willingness to work in partnership meant that he was now withdrawing the legal challenge to Beckton desalination plant. Mr Livingstone had appealed against a decision last year by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn to allow planning permission for the project.

Thames said the generator to power the plant will use 100 per cent renewable energy. It will also go ahead with plans to capture waste energy generated by Barking Power Station and reuse it to provide heating and hot water for up to 90,000 homes. This will save up to 90,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year.

The company says it will work with the Mayor on measures to bring new housing developments up to the latest standards of energy efficiency.

Mr Johnson said: "This is a fantastic package of measures showing what can be achieved when a collaborative approach is taken to solving the issues facing London.

"Roads must not be cordoned off when no one is working there, so Londoners will welcome Thames Water's commitment to help get cars moving again. This will help to reduce congestion and drivers' frustrations.

"I am also delighted to be working with the company on ways to help Londoners save water, and make new and existing homes less wasteful and more sustainable."

Thames Water chief executive David Owens said: "Today's news is a victory for common sense.

"London's rapidly growing population will be at increased risk of water restrictions in future droughts if we don't have additional sources of water. The desalination plant is a vital part of our response to this situation."