Thames21’s response to Mayor of London’s plan to clean up rivers

Published

“We welcome the news that the Mayor of London is standing up for the River Thames and its tributaries and will implement a ten-year plan to clean up our water.  

“Thames21 has been a dedicated advocate for the River Thames, the lifeblood of London, for many years. Working alongside communities and partners, we strive to celebrate, enjoy, and safeguard this remarkable natural environment. 

“However, the water quality and overall health of our rivers must improve. Achieving this requires a united effort from all of us—government bodies, regulators, environmental organisations, investors, and industry leaders. Only by working together can we clean up our water and secure a healthier future for the River Thames. 

“It is great to see the Mayor launching a new open water swimming guide also. As more people look to England’s rivers for recreation, we all need to up our game. So, we will hold the Mayor to account on his promise to make London’s rivers clean enough to swim safely in within the next decade. The latter is a monumental undertaking and will require significant investment and huge amounts of cross-partner work to make the goal achievable.  

“We help to play our part through the delivery of innovative nature-based solutions, collecting data to hold polluters to account and through leveraging funding for catchment improvements. 

“We will also aim to work alongside our partners from the River Partnerships in London (RiPL) network to support these ambitions. 

“Elsewhere, we urge water companies to accelerate investment in sewerage infrastructure and call on the government to swiftly enact its Water (Special Measures) Bill. 

“In addition to this, London-based NGOs, including ourselves, are urging Thames Water to expedite the implementation of 357,000 rain gardens across London by 2040, rather than the proposed timeline of 2050 outlined in Thames Water’s current business plan. 

“This accelerated action is imperative to protect and restore London’s rivers from the ravages of sewage pollution as well as preventing the effects climate chaos on Londoners, as rain gardens help to prevent sewage pollution by holding flood water and helping to reduce the speed of it entering the sewerage systems. 

“We urge them to significantly upscale their ambition and effectiveness to protect and restore London’s rivers for people and wildlife.”