Volunteers from Thames Water tidied up and painted centre

An Acton community centre has been transformed by a team of Thames Water volunteers.

Under the stewardship of Don Tanswell, chairman of the Southfield Park Triangle Residents’ Association, the group gave the popular scout centre in Rugby Road a new lick of paint, cleared overgrown pathways, did some gardening and cleaned the decking to get the centre ready for summer.

Don said: “All the guys and girls helped create a huge transformation for all the children using the hut; they just swooped in and went for it.” 

Randa Ahmad Hassan, Thames Water project manager, added: “Given how many community groups use the scout centre, I’m delighted that we’ve been able to spruce it up, giving it a new lease of life. I’d like to thank Don for helping to organise the day, and to the whole Thames Water team for rolling up their sleeves and getting stuck in!”

The volunteering day coincided with Thames Water starting work on its Acton pumping station site, between Warple Way and Greenend Road.

The UK’s largest water and wastewater provider is due to cover two of the six storm tanks that occupy the site over the next few months. The tanks play a crucial role in giving the sewer network greater capacity so it can cope with heavy rain and prevent sewer flooding.

As part of the project, the team is also altering the way the tanks fill. This work will mean that the two tanks that are covered will fill first to help manage odour levels.

The volunteering session was so successful that a Thames Water team will return in August.

24th May 2017