Mysterious dust leaves Thames Path looking like “an explosion in a flour mill”
By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter
A riverbank was covered in so much dust that residents said it looked like an “explosion in a flour mill”.
Many people were baffled after finding dust covering the Thames Path and several trees at Morden Wharf in Greenwich.
The East Greenwich Residents Association tweeted photographs, taken last Saturday, from the Thames Path.
In their tweet, they said: “What a mess! Path, trees and riverbanks covered in a thick layer of grey dust, like an explosion in a flour mill.”
Ralph Hardwick, 70, lives on the Isle of Dogs, facing the Thames Path in Greenwich. He said dust covering trees could often be seen when walking along the Thames Path.
He said several companies operate in sites near the Thames Path, including Sivyer and Hanson.
He said: “In the middle of last year when it was dry in summer, that exacerbated the situation.
“You could see vehicles rolling out of the Hanson site, with clouds of dust billowing behind them.”
Tony Smith, operations manager for Hanson Concrete, said: “Our Victoria Deep Water Terminal ready-mixed concrete plant is a state-of-the-art facility supplying construction and infrastructure projects across London.
“As a result of our recent investment the plant has extensive mitigation measures built in, including for dust suppression.
“We believe that the material pictured – at a location at least 200m from our plant – is unlikely to have emanated from our operations.”
Mr Hardwick said building sites in the area often have piles of loose material at the site that can be “easily whipped up” by wind.
He said: “It’s kicked off again recently. Quite frequently you look outside and see dust on people’s outside tables and chairs and everything else.
“You see it when you look up. What you don’t see is microparticles that are airborne. That’s all to do with it, too, and all this stuff is getting into people’s lungs.”
The Riverlinx Silvertown Tunnel project is also nearby.
A spokesman for Transport for London (TfL) said: “We do not believe that this dust originates from any worksites relating to the construction of the Silvertown Tunnel.
“TfL and Riverlinx are committed to working considerately alongside the community and minimising the impact of the construction of the Silvertown Tunnel.
“Site-specific dust control measures, which were approved by the council, are also in place including wheel washing, water-assisted dust sweeping on access and local roads, as well as damping down and dust suppression methods for any excavated material.”
A spokeswoman for the nearby Sivyer waste management company said: “Sivyer is one of many companies along this stretch of riverside. We refute that we have any emissions from our site and do not agree that the photographs support the allegations.”
The spokeswoman said that Sivyer cleans the Thames Path daily and keeps a log on the condition of the site.
Greenwich council was approached for comment, but had not responded at the time of publication.
Pictured top: Dust shown on a collapsed tree beside the Thames Path in Greenwich (Picture: East Greenwich Residents Association)