Mayor launches first ever Clean Rivers and Waterways plan to transform London’s blue spaces over next decade

• A first for London, it is one of the world’s most ambitious urban plans to transform a city’s waterways
• Ten year plan will expand on the Mayor’s current work to improve river health, restore wildlife habitats and make waterways swimmable where it is safe to do so 
• Sadiq announces additional £2.7m to boost existing £13.55m funding already pledged for these improvements
• Plan includes ten new locations across the city that will deliver the fastest benefits for millions of Londoners 
• The Mayor convened more than 50 groups and organisations to develop the plan to reduce pollution, revive nature and revitalise public access

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan today launched his 10-year Clean Rivers and Waterways plan to transform London’s rivers, ridding them of pollution, making them safe and accessible for Londoners and ensuring nature and wildlife can thrive. The plan will focus on ten key locations across London where the restoration of blue and green spaces can deliver the fastest and widest benefits for Londoners.

London’s rivers and waterways stretch across more than 600 kilometres of the city but have suffered decades of neglect and pollution.  Five times more sewage flowed into London’s rivers in 2023 than the year before, with devastating consequences for wildlife [1]. Today, none of London’s rivers are assessed as being in “good” condition [2] and the equivalent of 1.8 Olympic-sized swimming pools of sewage-polluted water is discharged into London’s rivers from misconnected properties every day.   

The Mayor believes access to nature is an issue of social justice and made a manifesto commitment to halt the decline of London’s rivers. He is committed to ensuring that all Londoners - no matter their background or where they live - should be able to enjoy clean, thriving rivers and waterways. Expanding access to blue spaces, such as swimming and other water-based recreation activities, is also a key area in the Mayor’s recently launched Heat Ready London report: a new city-wide vision that sets out how London needs to adapt to increasingly frequent and severe hot weather.

More than 50 partners including boroughs, water companies, charities and community groups were brought together by the Mayor to develop the Clean Rivers and Waterways plan for London - one of the world's most ambitious programmes to transform urban waterways.

Over the next decade, the Mayor and partners aim to:  

• Stop sewage and pollution flowing into rivers 
• Improve river health with regular testing 
• Create and restore 550 hectares of waterway habitat and 80 kilometres of river, enabling nature to return and thrive 
• Improve habitats for fish and other wildlife
• Reintroduce beavers and water voles in suitable locations
• Develop a new river walking route in London 
• Where possible, deliver waterways that are clean and safe enough to swim in.  

To help kick start the 10-year plan, which is backed by £1.8 billion from partners over five years, the Mayor has pledged an additional £2.7million to support new blue and green restoration projects in the city over the next three years. This boosts the existing £13.55m he has already pledged to transform the capital’s waterways. 

• £1.25m funding will support two interconnected areas of green and blue spaces along the River Wandle and Grand Union Canal, and improve rivers in the Lower Lea, Royal Docks and Lower Roding.   
• £1.48m for two world-leading, large-scale urban rewilding projects in Redbridge and Hillingdon, creating and restoring richer, nature-led landscapes that support wildlife, bring greener space closer to local communities, and help protect neighbourhoods from the impacts of climate change. 

Ten locations across the city have been chosen to deliver fast, transformational change for millions of Londoners: 

• River Brent catchment (Barnet, Brent, Harrow, Ealing, Hounslow): Reducing sewage pollution by resolving incorrectly plumbed pipes, alongside new opportunities for walking and a better environment for wildlife in West London Regional Park and a new marathon-length park spanning four London boroughs.  
• Yeading Brook (Harrow, Hillingdon): delivering a major rewilding programme to restore the brook to a more natural state, creating a more biodiverse and resilient riverbank.  
• Upper Lea Valley (Enfield, Haringey, Waltham Forest): creating natural sustainable drainage systems to reduce river pollution and flood risk, alongside opportunities to restore sections of lost rivers.  
• Lower Lea Valley and Royal Docks (Newham, Tower Hamlets): transforming the waterfront and improving access to inclusive water-based activities, including delivering safe open-water safety sessions.   
• Grand Union Canal (Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham): upgrading the canal towpaths and regenerating the waterside to enable better access to the canal and more water based activities.
• Salmons Brook and Pymmes Brook (Enfield): restoring the landscape and creating wetlands to reduce pollution and risk of flooding. 
• River Roding (Newham, Barking and Dagenham): improving access to the riverside, alongside engaging the local community in habitat restoration and water quality monitoring.  
• Ravensbourne catchment (Croydon, Bromley, Lewisham): restoring habitats and improving access along the river, restoring sections of the river to its natural state, to reduce flood risk and improve biodiversity.  
• Wandle catchment (Croydon, Wandsworth, Sutton, Merton): restoring the rare chalk stream and enhancing the riverbank through a new vision for Wandle Valley Regional Park, restoring habitats, creating fish superhighways, improving public access and community engagement and exploring opportunities to restore lost rivers.  
• Lower Crane Valley (Hounslow, Richmond): creating a new 40km riverside trail, restoring the river to its natural state and improving habitats for wildlife.

Since Sadiq took office, he has already funded more than 31 rivers and waterways projects, to restore or create habitat for 3.7km of rivers and over 55 hectares of priority waterways. The Clean Rivers and Waterways plan builds on the work the Mayor has already started through his £12m Green Roots fund to improve blue and green spaces in London. This fund has supported community projects across the city including opening up 40km of new accessible riverside path along the River Crane. 

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “London’s rivers and waterways are the lifeblood of the city but for too long, they have been neglected, polluted or cut off from the communities around them. Habitats that should support otters, kingfishers, water voles, fish and other wildlife have been damaged by sewage, road runoff, litter and decades of underinvestment. The impact has been felt by nature and by Londoners, particularly those communities that already experience the greatest environmental inequality.

“I firmly believe access to nature is an issue of social justice. Through this ambitious plan we will work with partners to tackle pollution, restore nature and open up new swimming and recreation opportunities, improving access to help Londoners enjoy and reconnect with their waterways. We will clean up London’s rivers in the same way we cleaned up our toxic air, bringing about lasting change as we work to build a greener, fairer city for everyone.” 

The Mayor announced the Clean Rivers and Waterways plan at the West Reservoir in Hackney. The reservoir, which offers open water swimming, sailing and kayaking, was awarded £700,000 from the Mayor to create new reedbeds for wildlife, improve the outdoor swimming facilities and open up waterside green space for the public.

Mete Coban, Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy said: “Being able to access and enjoy our city’s waterways and green spaces is a matter of social justice - that is why we are working closely with a wide range of partners to ensure that inclusion is at the heart of this new plan.  

“London has amazing blue and green spaces all around the city, and we want to ensure as many people as possible can enjoy them. This plan will transform our rivers and waterways, supporting nature to thrive and enabling wildlife to return to their natural habitats. It is also a key part of us building a city that is more resilient to climate change. Together, we can build a greener, fairer London for everyone.”

Explorer, TV presenter and author Steve Backshall MBE said: “Having enjoyed kayaking on the Thames for more than 25 years, I love spending time on the river and think it should be something we all celebrate – but unfortunately, our waterways have suffered decades of neglect and pollution. 

“I joined the Mayor of London when he first announced his ambitious 10-year plan to clean up London’s rivers. It’s a big goal, but this plan, investment and collective action by partners will improve our blue spaces in the next decade. Together we can help bring wildlife back to the city and transform the capital’s rivers and waterways, so that everyone can enjoy London’s outdoor spaces.”

Tessa Fayers, Director of Wastewater and Bioresources at Thames Water, said: "We are committed to helping waterways thrive and we are proud to support the Mayor's Clean Rivers and Waterways plan as it builds on the improvements we have already seen in London. 

"The £7bn London Tideway Tunnel, made up of the Thames Tideway and Lee tunnels, has now diverted more than 21 million tonnes of sewage away from the tidal Thames in less than two years, and ZSL's recent State of the Thames report spoke about a continued recovery of the tidal river. 

"But there is so much more to do for the health of our waterways and no one organisation can do it alone, which is why the Mayor's plan is crucial and why Thames Water is delivering the biggest upgrade of its network in 150 years." 

Hackney Councillor Sam Mathys, Cabinet Member for Culture, Nightlife, Resilience and Business standards said: “We’re proud to be investing, along with the Mayor of London, to provide even better facilities at the reservoir, helping improve accessibility and biodiversity and supporting our commitment to make Hackney’s first-class green and blue spaces available to all our residents.”

Mark Cridge, Executive Director, National Park City said: "Through our participation on the Task Force and the amazing efforts of the hundreds of London National Park City Rangers, volunteers and groups across London, we have been delighted to support this initiative to encourage greater participation and engagement with London's amazing river network.  

“London's' rivers connect and link communities right across the city so it's only right that we work together to make these environments more accessible, inclusive, and beneficial to Londoners.  

“The Mayor and the teams supporting this project have recognised and built upon the important work that many grassroots organisations are already doing in this space, which we have been proud to support with funding from the Green Roots Fund, to deliver hundreds of small grants for community led projects. Together we can make London greener (and bluer), healthier, and wilder".  

Joe Pecorelli, Freshwater Conservation Programme Manager at ZSL said: “With more than two decades of experience helping communities to restore the Thames and other rivers across London, we’re delighted to have worked with the Mayor’s team and partners on this ambitious plan to level up action for cleaner, more accessible waterways.  

“From the reintroduction of water voles to the creation of a city-wide River Health Map, the Plan will propel us towards a more resilient capital – one where rivers, wetlands and canals throughout the city teem with native wildlife, protect communities from climate change and provide beautiful, restorative spaces for everyone to enjoy.” 

Kerry Downes, CEO, the Black Swimming Association said: “The Black Swimming Association is pleased to support a plan that puts safety and inclusion at its heart. The Plan aims to amplify water safety campaigns, work that’s essential to keeping all communities safer in, on and around water.  

“We’re particularly encouraged by its focus on safer access to aquatic activities for communities that have historically faced barriers, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to take part safely.” 

Ros Daniels, Canal & River Trust director for London & South East said: "Our charity's 100km of waterways in the capital are vital urban wildlife corridors, connecting millions of Londoners with blue and green space as well as providing traffic-free active travel routes. 

"The Southall Grand Union Canal Wellbeing Way, supported by the Mayor of London's Green Roots Fund, demonstrates the social value of our canals and rivers, and their potential to improve the health and wellbeing of those who live or work near them. 

"But it’s critical that those canals thrive as living ecosystems as well as transport routes, and we share the Mayor's ambitions for cleaner waterways. We look forward to a renewed focus on restoring wildlife habitat and tackling pollution, and in playing our part as custodian of some of London's best loved canals and rivers." 

Jo Dimitri, Senior Programme Manager, National Trust said:  “The River Wandle is one of London’s most remarkable rivers, connecting people with nature and heritage right through the heart of the city. 

“As part of the Wandle Valley Regional Park Trust and custodians of Morden Hall Park, the National Trust is proud to be working with the Mayor of London, the Walk Wheel and Cycle Trust, Living Proof and local volunteers and communities across the catchment to help create a healthier river, richer wildlife habitats and better access to nature. 

“This plan gives us an exciting opportunity to build on more than a decade of partnership working and brings together the ambition, investment and collaboration needed to make a lasting difference, so more people can enjoy and care for the Wandle for years to come.” 

Rute Robalo, Vice Chair and Trustee, Women in Tri said: "Access to clean, safe open water is transformative for physical and mental wellbeing, yet many women, particularly those from ethnically diverse and low-income communities, face real barriers to accessing London's blue spaces.  

“The Mayor’s Clean Rivers and Waterways plan is a vital step forward in removing these obstacles. At Women in Tri UK, we are proud to champion safe, inclusive access so that women of all backgrounds feel confident, safe, and welcome to enjoy our capital's waterways." 

Charlie Wood, Environment Agency Director for London, said:  "We welcome the collaborative approach set out in the Clean Rivers and Waterways Plan, which is taking action to improve river health, restore wildlife habitats and create cleaner, healthier waterways for Londoners. 

“Together with partners, we have improved more than 38km of river habitat over the last 10 years, regulated the delivery of treatment works and tunnel infrastructure, and supported nature-based solutions to reduce sewage pollution and improve water quality.  

“Restoring London's rivers will take continued collective and decisive action. We must build on this momentum to deliver the transformational changes set out in the Plan for the benefit of people, nature and future generations."