Mayor brings together landmark coalition to deliver major new improvements to London’s rivers

 

•           Sadiq brings Government, businesses, charities, campaigners and community groups together for the first time as he secures new investment to clean up capital’s waterways

•           The Mayor, TfL, London Wildlife Trust and Thames Water announce injection of over £1.8 billion across the next five years to protect and improve river health in London

•           New £7 million funding from City Hall will help to prevent road run-off pollution from entering waterways, help reduce flood risk, deliver large scale rewilding and provide nature projects for waterways

•           New polling reveals Londoners from lower-income backgrounds or Black and Asian communities are less likely to visit natural spaces

 

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is bringing together major partners to kickstart work to reverse years of damage to London’s waterways and deliver vital new funding for the capital’s rivers.

Sadiq will host a landmark roundtable today (Thursday 13 March) involving the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), Ofwat, the Environment Agency, Thames Water, charities, business and campaigners who share the Mayor’s ambition to transform London’s rivers over the next 10 years. Sadiq’s plans are backed by multi-BAFTA-winning TV presenter and writer Steve Backshall MBE.

Today the Mayor is announcing £7.15 million of funding from City Hall and TfL [1] to help prevent road runoff pollution from entering waterways and help reduce flood risk. Runoff pollution occurs when pollutants – such as fertiliser, oil, pesticides, dirt and bacteria – are washed into rivers and streams when it rains. This is a particular issue in urban areas, where runoff pollution entering waterways can significantly degrade water quality, impact recreational activities, and kill aquatic life. The Mayor’s new funding will also support cleaner waterways through large scale rewilding, and provide funding from the Green Roots Fund for community groups, charities and others to deliver nature projects for waterways.

The roundtable will also be attended by Thames Water, who are announcing a new injection of over £1.8 billion across the next five years to protect and improve river health in London. [2]

This investment will include plans to support a new programme to tackle 26 sewage overflows on the Roding, Wandle, Lee and Brent – building on the work of the landmark Tideway project, now that the 25km tunnel is fully activated. [3]

A further commitment to the Mayor’s vision has been made by London Wildlife Trust, who are investing £800,000 over the next two years for river and nature recovery projects with local communities across the capital. London Wildlife Trust will be working closely with the Mayor to maximise the benefits of these environment enhancements for London’s people and wildlife. This is aligned with Sadiq’s Green Roots Fund which allows councils and communities to bid for funding to pay for trees, wildflower meadows, parklets and other new green spaces.

Recent years have seen the successful reintroduction of beavers in Ealing and Enfield, while a new water vole reintroduction site led by the South East Rivers Trust on the Hogsmill River is creating sustainability for the whole population of water voles along the length of the river. Sadiq hopes these projects will be just the start of a nature revival in London so that waterways in the capital are soon teeming with beavers, water voles, eels, otters, mayflies and more.

The Mayor is determined to ensure that waterways are opened up for all communities, regardless of race and socio-economic status. For many, London’s waterways offer an escape – but research published today suggests not all Londoners currently feel the benefits. Only a quarter believe rivers are very or somewhat clean and healthy, and access is unequal. [4]

While 29 per cent of  Londoners say that they visit natural spaces weekly, those from lower-income backgrounds and Black or Asian communities are far less likely to do so. The new polling also found Londoners are deeply concerned about the state of their waterways, with sewage pollution, plastic waste and wildlife decline among their top worries when it comes to issues facing waterways. [4]

The Mayor’s London Open Water Swimming Guide was launched in September to help Londoners find out where they can currently swim outdoors and highlight where it might be possible in the future. [5] There has been recent progress in areas such as Southwark, where swimmers can now try open water swimming sessions at Greenland Dock, near Canada Water. [6]

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “London’s rivers have been neglected and damaged for far too long, with shameful levels of pollution entering our rivers in recent years. I’m pleased to be working with a coalition of partners across the sector on a major plan to turn things around.

“We have made great progress in cleaning our air in London, and I’m committed to doing the same with our rivers. Together we can make our rivers something that every Londoner can be proud of as we continue to build a greener, fairer, better London for everyone.”

Baroness Sue Hayman, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said: “London’s rivers are vital for people and wildlife, and I welcome the Mayor’s efforts to clean them up. This supports the Government’s commitment to improving waterways nationwide for the environment and communities.

“This work will build on the decisive action already taken by this government through our landmark Water Act – placing water companies under tough special measures, banning bonuses for polluting water bosses, and enforcing tougher criminal charges for those who break the law.

“This is alongside securing £104 billion in private sector investment to upgrade our infrastructure, drive economic growth, and create thousands of jobs.”

Explorer, TV presenter and author Steve Backshall MBE said: “I’ve enjoyed kayaking on the Thames for more than 25 years but the scale of river pollution, especially in recent years, is nothing short of shocking. 

“I strongly believe that our waterways should be something that our country is proud of, so I’m delighted that the Mayor of London is taking ambitious action to improve the capital’s waterways. Sadiq’s investment and dedication will help unlock the full potential of London’s rivers for people of all backgrounds to enjoy, and support wildlife too.”

David Mooney, CEO of London Wildlife Trust, said: “London Wildlife Trust is proud to stand alongside the Mayor in a coalition dedicated to improving London's waterways.

“For too long, our rivers have been treated like open sewers, and this roundtable presents a crucial opportunity to change that. With an initial commitment of over £800,000, we will be working closely with the Mayor over the next three years to support nature’s recovery along our precious waterways.”

Andy Lord, TfL’s Commissioner, said: “Protecting the environment is fundamental to everything we do. Being part of this roundtable signals our clear support and commitment to fulfil the Mayor’s ambition to clean up the capital’s waterways. Any pollution into London’s waterways is completely unacceptable and one of the biggest ways we’re making a difference is to reduce road run-offs. We are reducing polluting vehicles on roads and encouraging greener, more sustainable journeys by walking, cycling or using public transport.

“At the same time, we remain committed to preventing pollution from our operations and construction activity. Delivering sustainable drainage systems is key to reducing run-off on London’s roads into rivers and lower the capital’s flooding risks. Our proposed funding and this collaboration between partners will only amplify the work that we do to tackle river pollution, improve river quality, protect the ecosystem and boost London’s biodiversity.”

Chris Weston, CEO of Thames Water, said: “Like our customers, we care deeply about our rivers.  Our sewage works upgrades, the Lee Tunnel and Thames Tideway Tunnel are already protecting the tidal Thames and reducing sewage discharges by 95%.

“Today marks the start of the next phase of improvements with a £1.8bn investment programme that shifts the focus from the Thames to its tributaries and includes a major new programme to reduce sewage overflows on the Roding, Wandle, Lee and Brent. 

“We’re committed to the Mayor’s ambition for partnership working and I’m delighted to announce the launch of a new £20m fund for environment and community groups, whose work and insights are having such a positive impact on the health of our rivers.”

Danielle Obe, Chair and co-founder of the Black Swimming Association (BSA), said: “We are delighted that this coalition is coming together to clean the capital’s rivers and bring Londoners closer to nature.

“Despite the fact that in London people from lower socio-economic backgrounds, as well as people in Black and Asian communities are less likely to visit the city’s natural spaces, 19% of people across the country living within 10-15 minutes’ walk (1km) from a blue space or waterway are from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

“Cleaning up these bodies of water is the first major step towards safely introducing these communities to outdoor water based activities and ultimately practicing water safety.”

Andy Mitchell, CEO of Tideway, said: “We’re delighted to see the legacy of the Tideway project being built upon as part of this ambitious plan for London’s rivers. The Thames is already seeing a remarkable transformation thanks to the super sewer, which has now captured more than six million tonnes of sewage that would have previously polluted the river.

“Now, with this new investment, the future of the Thames – and all of London’s waterways – is looking even brighter. By protecting and improving river health, we are ensuring a cleaner, healthier environment for both people and wildlife for generations to come.”        

Navdeep Deol, Chair of the National Park City Foundation and London National Park City, said: “Whether through litter picking and clean ups, citizen science research, nature walks, sports, new beavers and voles, arts and crafts - more people across London are working together to make our blue spaces cleaner, healthier and wilder.

“London's many waterways touch all of us and connect communities and neighbourhoods across the capital providing invaluable corridors for wildlife. 

“Our collective work to protect, restore and celebrate these waterways is an urgent priority.”

Tony Burton CBE, Acting Chair of Wandle Valley Regional Park Trust, said: “London owes so much to its rivers and the Clean and Healthy Waterways Plan provides the opportunity to recognise this and invest in their future.

“We are committed to bringing local councils, government agencies, charities, community groups and others together to help the wonderful Wandle, celebrate public access along the Wandle Trail, and realise the potential of this green corridor for the benefit of all Londoners.”

Lars Weiss, Lord Mayor of Copenhagen, said: “Copenhagen knows the power of investing in clean water. Transforming our harbor from industrial use to a vibrant recreational area has revitalized the city, offering immense benefits for citizens’ communities, leisure, and economic growth.

“Mayor Khan’s initiative to transform London’s rivers will not only enhance biodiversity and public health but will also strengthen resilience in the face of the climate crisis.”

Michelle Wu, Mayor of Boston, said: “I commend Mayor Khan for this ambitious and necessary investment to restore London’s rivers and ensure all residents can connect with and benefit from healthy waterways. In Boston, we’ve seen firsthand the power of collaboration in our own environmental work, turning Boston Harbor and the Charles River, historically some of the most polluted waterways in the country, into clean and thriving areas."