Campaigners breathed a sigh of relief after learning Thames Water was considering alternative sites to a picturesque playing fields for an entrance to the super sewer.

Barn Elms, which borders Barnes and Putney, had been earmarked as the preferred site for the main drive shaft - but, following Barnes residents’ protests, the water company announced three brownfield sites in Fulham were being considered instead.

Under the revised plans, Whiffin Wharf, Hurlingham Wharf and Carnwath business park in south Fulham could become the focus of construction work.

Phil Stride, head of London Tideway Tunnels at Thames Water, said: “Unlike Barn Elms playing fields, Carnwath Road Riverside is brownfield, not greenfield, and is already designated for regeneration or industrial use. On the other hand, more residents and businesses would be directly affected. I must stress that we have not discounted Barn Elms playing fields as a possible major construction site."

Richmond Park MP Zac Goldsmith, who helped organise public meetings on the issue and raised it in the House of Commons, welcomed the news. He added: “I have long argued that Barn Elms should be the last resort.”

Residents were warned that if Barn Elms was chosen they could face construction work 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a week, for three-and-a-half years.

Hugh Samuel, of campaign group Stop the Shaft (STS), vowed to continue fighting until barn Elms was safe. He said: “We are still campaigning against the use of a greenfield site for the Thames Tunnel construction when there are brown field sites available.”

Councillor Virginia Morris, Richmond Council’s cabinet member for environment, said: “Clearly the protestations of local people, and the arguments the council has been making on behalf of residents, seem to be paying off.”