Waste pumped into river again

Tonnes of raw sewage were pumped into the Thames today due to the heavy downpour overnight.

Thames Water took the action to prevent sewage flooding streets in parts of the capital. In August, thousands of fish died when 600,000 tonnes of sewage were redirected after storms.

Thames Water began similar action last night but has not confirmed the extent of the discharge after problems at plants in Mogden near Twickenham, Crossness in south-east London and Abbey Mills in east London.

A spokeswoman said: "It was very much a last resort." Oxygen would be pumped into the river, she added.