The Mayor of London has launched the capital's first ever Clean Rivers and Waterways plan to transform London’s blue spaces over next decade.
The goal is transform London’s rivers, ridding them of pollution, making them safe and accessible for Londoners and ensuring nature and wildlife can thrive.
The plan will focus on ten areas where the restoration of blue and green spaces can deliver the fastest and widest benefits for Londoners.
Rivers and waterways cover more than 600 kilometres of the capital. Five times more sewage flowed into London’s rivers in 2023 than the year before and none of London's rivers are considered to be in "good" condition.
The Mayor has said that access to nature is an issue of social justice and made a manifesto commitment to halt the decline of London’s rivers.
Expanding access to blue spaces including for swimming and other water-based recreation activities is also part of the recently published Heat Ready London report.
Over the next decade, the aim is to stop sewage and pollution flowing into rivers; improve river health with regular testing; create and restore 550 hectares of waterway habitat and 80 kilometres of river, enabling nature to return and thrive; and improve habitats for fish and other wildlife. Other goals include reintroducing beavers and water voles; developing a new river walking route and where possible delivering waterways that are clean and safe enough to swim in.
The plan is backed by £1.8 billion from partners over five years, alongside an additional £2.7million from the Mayor to support new blue and green restoration projects in the city over the next three years.
£1.25m funding will support two interconnected areas of green and blue spaces along the River Wandle and Grand Union Canal, and improve rivers in the Lower Lea, Royal Docks and Lower Roding. £1.48m is set aside for two world-leading, large-scale urban rewilding projects in Redbridge and Hillingdon, creating and restoring richer, nature-led landscapes that support wildlife, bring greener space closer to local communities, and help protect neighbourhoods from the impacts of climate change.
In the River Brent catchment, sewage pollution will be reduced by resolving incorrectly plumbed pipes, alongside new opportunities for walking and a better environment for wildlife in West London Regional Park and a new marathon-length park spanning four London boroughs.
Along the River Roding, access to the riverside will be improved and the local community will be engaged in habitat restoration and water quality monitoring.
A major rewilding programme will be delivered along Yeading Brook to restore the brook to a more natural state, creating a more biodiverse and resilient riverbank.
Other projects will be carried out at Upper Lea Valley, Lower Lea Valley and Royal Docks, Grand Union Canal, Salmons Brook and Pymmes Brook, Ravensbourne catchment, Wandle catchment, Lower Crane Valley.
The 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.”
Mete Coban, Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy said: “Being able to access and enjoy our city’s waterways and green spaces is a matter of social justice - that is why we are working closely with a wide range of partners to ensure that inclusion is at the heart of this new plan.
“London has amazing blue and green spaces all around the city, and we want to ensure as many people as possible can enjoy them. This plan will transform our rivers and waterways, supporting nature to thrive and enabling wildlife to return to their natural habitats. It is also a key part of us building a city that is more resilient to climate change. Together, we can build a greener, fairer London for everyone.”
