Thames21’s response to London Assembly Committee’s ‘Swimmable Rivers’ report

Thames21 welcomes this report, which has 12 recommendations for creating clean and healthy rivers in London. These proposals strongly reflect our long-standing calls for action on water quality, biodiversity, and public access. 

The Mayor of London must now integrate these recommendations into the ongoing work to develop his ‘Clean and Healthy Waterways’ plan. 

Thames21 is actively involved in this process, ensuring that community voices and catchment-based expertise help shape this ambitious plan for London’s rivers. 

We especially welcome the first recommendation focusing on ‘properly funded’ partnership-based working, catchment partnerships and the call for the Mayor to work with them and other stakeholders on his plan.  

We were also delighted to see the topics of road run off pollution, misconnections, sustainable urban drainage systems and proposals for new bathing water sites covered in the recommendations. 

Rivers across London and the Thames Basin need protecting from the damage caused by sewage, road runoff and agricultural pollution. 

As an independent environmental charity, Thames21 has been a dedicated advocate for the River Thames, the lifeblood of London, for many years and has long called for action on pollution to protect our waterways. 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.   

Read full report here: https://tinyurl.com/cpb9dd6a