The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has pledged to bring together businesses, government agencies, charities, and local communities to develop an ambitious 10-year
plan to clean up London’s rivers. During a visit to the Tideway project on the city’s embankment, Sadiq, joined by Steve Reed MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, outlined his vision for restoring the health of the city’s waterways.
City Hall analysis revealed a fivefold increase in sewage pollution in London’s rivers in 2023 compared to the previous year, posing a significant threat to aquatic wildlife. In response, the Mayor reiterated his commitment to transforming London’s rivers, much like his successful efforts to improve the city’s air quality. His goal is to create clean, thriving ecosystems and waterways that are safe for swimming.
The centerpiece of this cleanup effort is the Thames Tideway Tunnel, a 25km infrastructure project expected to be fully operational by 2025. The tunnel will drastically reduce sewage pollution in the Thames, bringing about significant environmental improvements. Alongside the tunnel, seven new riverside public spaces, including Tyburn Quay, will open up new areas for Londoners to enjoy views of the city.
The Mayor’s 10-year plan will focus on building partnerships to implement sustainable solutions for protecting and revitalizing London’s rivers. This includes pushing Thames Water to reduce sewage spills, expanding sustainable drainage systems, addressing sewer misconnections, and funding natural water filtration methods, such as reedbeds.
Sadiq is calling on key stakeholders—ranging from WWF UK, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), Thames Water, and local borough leaders—to join the effort to boost London’s biodiversity and take a nature-first approach to cleaning up the rivers. Recent successes, like the reintroduction of beavers in Ealing and Enfield, signal the beginning of a broader nature revival across the city.
Additionally, the Mayor’s new London Open Water Swimming Guide was launched to help residents safely explore outdoor swimming locations, encouraging more people to enjoy and connect with London’s waterways.
The government’s recent Water (Special Measures) Bill also aligns with the Mayor’s goals, introducing new regulations to improve water quality and attract private-sector investment. This, combined with the ringfenced funding for infrastructure projects like Tideway, ensures that money is directed solely toward environmental upgrades rather than bonuses or dividends.
Together, these initiatives aim to ensure that London’s rivers are restored to health, supporting both local wildlife and creating new opportunities for Londoners to walk, paddle, and swim in cleaner waters.
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.” Photo by U.S. Embassy London, Wikimedia commons.