The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has launched a landmark 10-year Clean Rivers and Waterways Plan designed to transform London’s rivers, tackle pollution and create healthier blue and green spaces for communities across the capital.
The ambitious strategy will focus on ten priority river catchments and waterways where investment can deliver the greatest environmental, social and economic benefits. More than 50 organisations, including local authorities, water companies, charities and community groups, have helped shape what City Hall describes as one of the world's most ambitious urban river restoration programmes.
London’s waterways extend for more than 600 kilometres, but years of pollution, sewage discharges and underinvestment have left every river in the capital falling below ‘good’ ecological status. The challenge has become increasingly urgent, with sewage spills into London’s rivers increasing significantly in recent years and daily pollution continuing to enter waterways from incorrectly connected properties.
The new plan supports the Mayor’s wider environmental agenda and his commitment to improve access to nature, particularly in communities that experience the greatest levels of environmental inequality. It also aligns with the recently published Heat Ready London strategy, which highlights the growing importance of blue spaces in helping the city adapt to rising temperatures and more frequent heatwaves.
The Clean Rivers and Waterways Plan aims to:
- Stop sewage and pollution entering rivers and waterways.
- Improve river health through regular monitoring and testing.
- Create and restore 550 hectares of waterway habitat.
- Restore 80 kilometres of rivers across London.
- Enhance habitats for fish and other wildlife.
- Reintroduce beavers and water voles where suitable.
- Develop a new long-distance river walking route.
- Deliver waterways that are clean and safe enough for swimming where possible.
To accelerate delivery, the Mayor has pledged an additional £2.7 million for river restoration projects over the next three years. This funding comes on top of the £13.55 million already committed to improving London’s waterways.
The latest funding package includes:
- £1.25 million to support projects along the River Wandle, Grand Union Canal, Lower Lea, Royal Docks and Lower Roding.
- £1.48 million for large-scale urban rewilding schemes in Redbridge and Hillingdon, helping create more resilient landscapes, support biodiversity and improve climate resilience.
The wider programme is backed by £1.8 billion of partner investment over the next five years.
The plan targets ten locations where improvements can be delivered most quickly and benefit the largest number of residents:
- River Brent Catchment
- Yeading Brook
- Upper Lea Valley
- Lower Lea Valley and Royal Docks
- Grand Union Canal
- Salmons Brook and Pymmes Brook
- River Roding
- Ravensbourne Catchment
- Wandle Catchment
- Lower Crane Valley
Projects will include habitat restoration, pollution reduction, flood prevention measures, riverside improvements, upgraded towpaths, wetland creation, water sports facilities and expanded public access.
One of the most significant proposals is a new 40km riverside trail through the Lower Crane Valley, while plans for the Wandle Catchment include restoring rare chalk stream habitats, creating fish migration routes and enhancing community access.
Since taking office, the Mayor has funded more than 31 river and waterway projects, helping restore or create 3.7km of river habitat and more than 55 hectares of priority waterway landscapes.
The new strategy also builds on the Mayor’s £12 million Green Roots Fund, which has already helped support community-led projects across London, including the creation of 40km of accessible riverside paths along the River Crane.
The Clean Rivers and Waterways Plan was officially launched at West Reservoir in Hackney, a popular venue for open-water swimming, sailing and kayaking. The site previously received £700,000 from the Mayor to improve swimming facilities, create new wildlife reedbeds and expand public access to waterside green space.
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.”
Image credit: iStock
