Thank you to the 33,795 people who signed the Change.org petition to stop the Teddington Direct River Abstraction (TDRA) scheme. That show of public support has been instrumental in getting us to where we are today. We now need to take the next step :
👉 The official UK Government petition is now live — and we need you to sign it:
Ensure new sewage treatment infrastructure meets higher standards as in the EU – Petitions
This takes less than a few seconds. You’ve already taken a stand once, we know you understand what’s at stake.
WHY THIS PETITION IS DIFFERENT — AND MORE POWERFUL
Change.org petitions send a strong message. Government petitions trigger real consequences:
- 10,000 signatures → the Government must issue a formal written response.
- 100,000 signatures – the Government must consider a full parliamentary debate
We want that Parliamentary debate so…..
We are asking for two things…
First, that every one of the 33,795 Change.org supporters sign our new Government petition today. If even half of you sign, we cross the first threshold immediately.
Second please pass this request on to your contacts to also support the cause.
YOU MAY NOTICE THE PETITION DOESN’T NAME THAMES WATER OR TDRA
This is not an oversight — it’s a necessity. The Petitions Committee does not permit petitions that name specific companies or individual projects. We had to frame it in broader terms to get it published at all.
Make no mistake: TDRA is exactly the kind of scheme this petition is designed to challenge. We will be citing it explicitly. This petition is our vehicle — and TDRA is our target.
THE STAKES HAVEN’T CHANGED
The TDRA scheme would permanently abstract millions of litres from the Thames daily in summer when the river is most vulnerable, with potentially irreversible consequences for water quality, wildlife, personal health and wellbeing, and the river’s long-term health. Over £2 billion will be added to customer bills for an asset that will operate on average just 6 weeks a year. There are much better alternatives. Sere them here https://saveourlandsandriver.org
You’ve already done something. Now please support this next step.
👉 Sign the Government petition:
Ensure new sewage treatment infrastructure meets higher standards as in the EU – Petitions
And please share it with everyone you know. Every signature counts.
Thank you
Fiona & the SOLAR team