The Oscar winning actress is lending her support to the protest group Keep King Edward VII Memorial Park (KEMP). Other celebrities against the proposals include Annie Lennox and Sir Patrick Stewart .

The park, they say, would be under threat if the building of the tunnel goes ahead under current plans.

Ms Mirren said: “As a local resident, I am aware how little green space there is in our area.

“I hope that the beautiful King Edward VII Memorial Park Green continues to be a garden space for the many local people who have nowhere else to enjoy a garden environment.”

Tomorrow (March 16), KEMP is planning a protest march to City Hall and will be joined by MP Jim Fitzpatrick, GLA member Andrew Boff and conservative group councillors.

The group says it is not opposed to the Thames Water tunnel plan to update London’s sewage system but believe there are alternative brownsites available.

The London Assembly published its response to a consultation on the tunnel proposals in December last year, giving overall approval for the scheme.

Earlier this month, Thames Water announced they would look at possible alternatives to construction at Barn Elms Playing Fields site after a review of potential sites.

Thames Water London Tideway Tunnels head, Phil Stride, said: “As we refine the options for the tunnel, the size and potential locations for construction sites are subject to change.

“We are also listening and responding to feedback received to date.”

The company says the project is urgently needed to help tackle the 39 million tonnes of untreated sewage which overflows into the River Thames in an average year, when the Victorian sewerage network becomes overloaded.

Thames Water is due to publish its feedback report on the first phase of the public consultation by early April.

Alison Brown

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