Mayor brings together partners to clean up London’s rivers

• Working with local communities, the Mayor will bring together companies, government agencies, charities and campaigners to develop an ambitious 10-year plan.
• Sadiq makes key pledge while visiting the Tideway project on London’s embankment at an event attended by Steve Reed, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.
• City Hall analysis shows five times more sewage recorded into London’s rivers in 2023 compared to the previous year
• A guide highlighting where Londoners can swim safely, the first of its kind, is also being unveiled by City Hall as part of plans to encourage people to spend time in and around London’s waterways. 

 

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, visited the landmark Tideway project today as he committed to bringing together partners to clean up London’s rivers in the next 10 years. 

Joined by the Rt Hon Steve Reed MP, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, Sadiq said he is determined to clean up London’s rivers just like he’s done with London’s air.

The 25km Thames Tideway tunnel, which will become fully operational in 2025, will protect the river from sewage pollution with transformational environmental benefits. Sitting above the new infrastructure, Tyburn Quay, which Sadiq and Steve Reed visited today, is one of seven new riverside public spaces, offering never-before-seen views of the city.

City Hall analysis shows that five times more sewage flowed into London’s rivers in 2023 compared to the previous year, with many species in decline. In his manifesto, Sadiq committed to working with partners to transform London’s rivers, building thriving ecosystems and delivering waterways that are clean and safe enough to swim in.  

Harnessing the power of partnerships and working with local communities, the Mayor will bring together companies, government agencies, charities and campaigners to develop and deliver an ambitious 10-year plan to clean up London’s waterways and support a diverse range of wildlife.  He will continue to push Thames Water to address damaging sewage spills, expand the installation of sustainable drainage systems, tackle sewer misconnections, and fund reedbeds and other solutions that naturally filter the water in London’s rivers. 

As part of his pledge, the Mayor is calling on a range of key stakeholders - from WWF UK and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), to Thames Water and borough leaders - to sign a commitment to work with him to increase London’s biodiversity and use a nature-first approach to clean up the city’s waterways. The last two years have seen the successful reintroduction of beavers in Ealing and Enfield – and Sadiq hopes this will be just the start of a nature revival in London. 

Sadiq will also use the opportunity of the Thames Tideway Tunnel, which as part of the London Tideway Improvements will reduce sewage discharge in the tidal Thames by around 95%, to make further progress in cleaning up all of London’s waterways, using natural solutions whenever possible. In doing so, the Mayor will prioritise increasing London’s nature and opening up new areas for Londoners to walk, paddle and swim.

This follows the Secretary of State’s announcement that funding for vital infrastructure like the Tideway project will now be ringfenced so that it can only be spent on upgrades that benefit customers and the environment - not diverted to pay bonuses, dividends or salary increases. This means that where money for investment is not spent, companies will have to refund customers.

The new Government also published this month the landmark Water (Special Measures) Bill, which will deliver a strong regulatory playing field to help improve water quality and create the conditions to attract billions of private-sector investment. 

The Mayor’s new London Open Water Swimming Guide was also launched today to help Londoners find out where they can currently swim outdoors and highlight where it might be possible in the future.

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “For far too long London’s rivers have been neglected and damaged by sewage pollution. We have made great progress in cleaning our air in London and I’m committed to doing the same with our rivers. 

“The Thames and its tributaries are the lifeblood of London and we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to restore waterways and create a future where our rivers are clean, safe and truly for everyone.  

“I’m determined to bring together communities and partners to achieve this, working hand-in-hand with the new Government. I know that together we can make our rivers something that every Londoner can be proud of as we continue to build a greener, fairer London for everyone.”

Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed said: “The Thames is a source of national pride. It attracts millions of visitors, provides opportunities for rowing, sailing and other sports, and is a home to beautiful wildlife. But like so many of our waterways, it is in an unacceptable state. 

“This Government will not tolerate water companies illegally pumping sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas and I applaud the Mayor of London for his work in bringing the issue of water pollution to the fore in the capital.  

“We will strengthen regulation, crack down on water companies and begin the work of cleaning up Britain’s waterways. As an immediate step, the Water (Special Measures) Bill will give regulators new powers to ban the payment of bonuses for polluting water bosses and bring criminal charges against persistent law breakers.”

Andy Mitchell, Tideway CEO, said: “It was a great pleasure to host the Secretary of State and the Mayor of London at our Victoria Embankment site today.

 “This is a key site for the super sewer project, which will transform the health of the River Thames. Our teams are working hard across the capital to bring this vital new infrastructure into full operation and give London the clean, healthy river it deserves.” 

Matthew Gould, CEO of ZSL said: “ZSL is delighted to be working with The Mayor of London to clean London’s rivers.  We want to see them safe for both people and wildlife. The Thames was once declared biologically dead.  Now it is a home for a host of British species. ZSL has been part of this journey, from monitoring Critically Endangered eels to working with communities to help remove sources of pollution from our rivers.  We’ve spent the last 20 years boosting biodiversity in the city’s waterways, and are excited to be part of the city’s next chapter.”

Lucy Siegle - Author, Broadcaster, WWF Ambassador & Surfers Against Sewage Trustee, said:  “London rivers are the arteries of our city. They hold much of our wildlife and are the backbone of our ecosystem. Without major economic and environmental reforms they will further decline. So it’s a big relief to see so much action on our city’s precious waterways launched today. As someone who spent a lot of time on or in the Thames, I feel we need to rebuild Londoners confidence in a healthy, regenerated river system. This will really help.” 

David Mooney, Chief Executive Officer, London Wildlife Trust "London Wildlife Trust is proud to be supporting the Mayor of London in his ambition to clean the capital’s waterways for people and wildlife. We have partnered with the Mayor on some great rewilding projects and his continued commitment to making London cleaner and more nature rich should be an inspiration for others. In the face of a climate and ecological emergency it is vital we show collective ambition and I’m excited to join the Mayor in a partnership to find a route to nature rich waterways within this decade.” 

Mayor of Boston, Michelle Wu, said: "Boston stands with London and Mayor Khan in this critical effort to restore and protect our world's 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 nation's most polluted waterways, into clean and thriving areas for recreation and biodiversity. These efforts to clean the riverways will also secure a legacy of sustainability and resilience for future generations, and I'm happy to see our partners in London working toward a healthier, greener planet." 

Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, said: “The health of our rivers is vital to the wellbeing of our cities and residents, which is why in Paris, under my leadership, we have been spearheading a number of clean initiatives, including making the Seine swimmable in time for the Olympics. I am thrilled that Mayor Khan is taking bold action to clean up the River Thames - he has shown a deep commitment to both clean air and now clean water, showcasing the integral role cities play in creating a healthy urban environment for all. Our cities share a responsibility to protect the environment for future generations and I fully support Mayor Khan's efforts and look forward to the positive impact on London's communities and wildlife."

Alice Dearing, Team GB Olympian (Open Water Marathon) and founder of Black Swimming Association, said: “It is so exciting that the Mayor of London is striving to create more accessible and clean waterways as open water swimming continues to gain popularity.

“The London Open Water Swimming Guide is a useful resource which will help people swim safely across the capital. The capital has many beautiful open water swimming venues and it’s great to see there is a desire to clean up more waterways so they can be enjoyed by swimmers and nature alike.” 

Tayshan Hayden-Smith, Founder and Creative Director, Grow to Know, said: "Waterways are the veins of our nation and are at the heart of a healthy ecosystem. London's waterways have the potential to benefit all socio-environmental causes - and so we must continue to see this as an opportunity to pioneer, innovate and inspire much-needed change. Through action, we can widen access - and through access, we can shift cultural and collective thought around society and the environment. I hold onto the hope that my children will be able to experience a London with clean air, healthy rivers and waterways." 

Ros Daniels, Canal & River Trust director for London & South East said: “More than two million Londoners live less than a kilometre from one of the waterways our charity looks after. They are a precious green and blue space to spend time in, but they are also a superhighway for the capital’s wildlife under, on and beside the water. From the installation of floating ecosystems on canals in built-up areas to the clearance of invasive weed on the River Lea, we are improving biodiversity and life on our waterways and look forward to working with the Mayor of London to redouble these efforts."