Mayor launches £1.8bn plan for London's rivers

A 10-year plan to clean up London's rivers and waterways has been announced by the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan. He stated that the city's waterways have suffered from "decades of neglect and pollution".

The initiative has secured a total of £1.8bn in pledges from water companies, local boroughs, and various charities. The Mayor is contributing an additional £2.7m over three years, building on £13.6m previously committed.

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The River Thames alone has experienced at least 72 billion litres of sewage discharges since 2020, according to figures reported by BBC News in 2023. This figure is understood to be a conservative estimate.

Harrow areas included in funding

Ten specific locations across London have been identified to receive funding under the new plan. These include areas within the River Brent catchment, which covers parts of Barnet, Brent, Harrow, Ealing, and Hounslow. The Yeading Brook, affecting Harrow and Hillingdon, is also listed.

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Other earmarked locations are the Upper Lea Valley, Lower Lea Valley and Royal Docks, the Grand Union Canal, Salmons Brook and Pymmes Brook, the River Roding, the Ravensbourne catchment, the Wandle catchment, and the Lower Crane Valley.

Goals of the clean-up plan

The primary objectives of the plan are to halt sewage and other pollution entering rivers, enhance river health through regular monitoring, and facilitate the return of fish and wildlife to their natural habitats. A further aim is to create clean, safe areas for swimming.

Sir Sadiq Khan commented that habitats supporting wildlife such as otters, kingfishers, and water voles have been damaged by sewage, road run-off, litter, and prolonged underinvestment. He added that the impact has affected both nature and Londoners, particularly those in communities facing greater environmental inequality, stating, "I firmly believe access to nature is an issue of social justice."

Thames Water, responsible for water supply and sewage treatment in much of London, reported nearly 600 storm overflows into watercourses last year, according to its own website data.