In response to Mr Robert Lyon's letter published in the News Shopper on June 24, 1998, entitled `Residents Don't Want The Pagoda'.

Mr Lyon states that a pagoda was only acceptable to residents if they "were going to be railroaded into accepting a planned structure that nobody wanted anyway", that "comments had gone largely unheeded" and that other local sites suggested by residents had not been taken seriously.

This is not correct. Thames Water carried out a detailed review of the scheme, considering suggestions and comments made by residents. This included a detailed investigation of alternative sites.

Locating a pumping station below Eltham Green, however, is the practical and practicable location and when asked to express a preference at the public exhibition, residents indicated that a pagoda structure, rather than landscaping of the green, was preferable to house the necessary ventilation and access.

We have, therefore, considered other available options and consulted with the local community, taking into account the feedback we received from residents.

Ed Pemberton

Project Manager

Thames Water Utilities

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