Hundreds of Londoners have once again shown support for a campaign against proposals which could see Barn Elms playing fields become the site of a the super sewer entrance.

Campaigners, neighbours and users of the site turned out on Saturday, July 17, to take part in a Barn Elms rally and voice concern over the potential use of the greenfield site as part of Thames Water’s London-wide sewer project.

Richmond Park MP Zac Goldsmith said: “The conditions couldn’t have been more miserable, and yet hundreds of people still turned up in the pouring rain to let Thames Water know how valuable Barn Elms is to the wider community.

“The message was very clear, and I know Thames Water is listening.”

And the water company, which is constructing the 20-mile city-wide sewage system, assured residents they had taken note of the strong public opposition.

A spokeswoman said: “Locals’ passion for Barn Elms has come across to us loud and clear throughout all the consultation activities we have undertaken to date.

“We respect the organised, professional way in which Stop the Shaft has conducted its campaign [and] we have listened closely to all the feedback we have received – it’s part of the reason we are now considering a possible alternative brownfield site in south Fulham.”

The suggestion that one of the drive shaft entrances needed to construct the Thames Tunnel sewage system could be built on the Barnes and Putney border caused uproar among neighbours of the site when it was first mooted in September 2010. If chosen, residents could face construction work 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week, for more than three years.

Following a public consultation into potential sites, the Barn Elms proposal attracted more comments than any other London site and the campaign group Stop the Shaft (StS) was set up. Celebrity supporters Anneka Rice and Alistair McGowan signed up to fight against plans.

Saturday’s rally was arranged by MPs Zac Goldsmith and Justine Greening, Richmond and Wandsworth councils and StS. The groups joined to form the Save Barn Elms Alliance group and campaigners were then joined rugby legend Lawrence Dallaglio in their bid to make Thames Water take notice of their objections.

Councillor Virginia Morris, Richmond’s cabinet member for environment, planning, parks and highways, urged Thames Water to rethink proposals.

She said: “The attendance at the rally on Saturday, coupled with a 13,000 strong petition, should be a clear sign to Thames Water that selecting Barn Elms for this super sewer is a big mistake.

“Not only would these proposals be severely disruptive to local people, but they would also result in an unacceptable loss of green space.”

To sign the Save Barn Elms petition, visit wandsworth.gov.uk/savebarnelms.