The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has spearheaded a coalition to deliver major new improvements to London’s rivers.
A landmark roundtable, convening key stakeholders from government agencies, environmental organisations, and utility companies, has marked a pivotal moment in the city's approach to waterway management.
Central to the discussion was the pressing need to mitigate flood risk, a concern amplified by climate change and urban development. The roundtable served as a platform for the Mayor to unveil a comprehensive strategy, underpinned by substantial funding commitments.
Notably, significant funding of £7 million has been pledged from City Hall and Transport for London, to help prevent road run-off pollution from entering waterways, this run off pollution is a large factor in increased flood risk. Furthermore, Thames Water has also pledged large investment into their infrastructure, to reduce sewage overflows, which also contributes to flooding.
A new £20m Thames Water rivers and community fund will also boost partnership working with environment and community groups, building on the success of the Smarter Water Catchments programme on the River Crane in Ealing, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow and Richmond, where more than 150 projects have improved water quality, reduced flood risk and increased access and community engagement. Thames Water will also clean up more than 45 streams and rivers in the capital experiencing pollution from household drains being wrongly connected to rainwater sewers, including the following priority areas across North and South London:
A further commitment to the Mayor’s vision has been made by London Wildlife Trust, who are investing £800,000 over the next two years for river and nature recovery projects with local communities across the capital. London Wildlife Trust will be working closely with the Mayor to maximise the benefits of these environment enhancements for London’s people and wildlife. This is aligned with Sadiq’s Green Roots Fund which allows councils and communities to bid for funding to pay for trees, wildflower meadows, parklets and other new green spaces.
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The focus of the collaborative work is multifaceted, but a core element is the implementation of measures to enhance the natural flood resilience of London's rivers and tributaries. This includes projects aimed at:
- Reducing road run-off: Addressing the issue of pollutants washing into waterways, which not only degrades water quality but also exacerbates flood risk by impeding drainage.
- Sewage overflow reduction: Investments in infrastructure upgrades to minimise the discharge of sewage into rivers during periods of heavy rainfall, a key contributor to flooding.
- Rewilding and habitat restoration: Implementing projects that restore natural river functions, such as floodplains, which can absorb excess water and reduce the impact of flooding.
- Community engagement: the funding also provides for community groups to work on nature projects related to the waterways.
The partnership recognises that a holistic approach is essential. By addressing both the immediate threats and the underlying causes of flooding, the Mayor of London and its partners aim to create a more resilient and sustainable future for the city's waterways. This collaborative effort signifies a crucial step towards safeguarding London from the escalating challenges posed by flooding.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “London’s rivers have been neglected and damaged for far too long, with shameful levels of pollution entering our rivers in recent years. I’m pleased to be working with a coalition of partners across the sector on a major plan to turn things around.
“We have made great progress in cleaning our air in London, and I’m committed to doing the same with our rivers. Together we can make our rivers something that every Londoner can be proud of as we continue to build a greener, fairer, better London for everyone.”
Chris Weston, CEO of Thames Water, said: “Like our customers, we care deeply about our rivers. Our sewage works upgrades, the Lee Tunnel and Thames Tideway Tunnel are already protecting the tidal Thames and reducing sewage discharges by 95%.
“Today marks the start of the next phase of improvements with a £1.8bn investment programme that shifts the focus from the Thames to its tributaries and includes a major new programme to reduce sewage overflows on the Roding, Wandle, Lee and Brent.
“We’re committed to the Mayor’s ambition for partnership working and I’m delighted to announce the launch of a new £20m fund for environment and community groups, whose work and insights are having such a positive impact on the health of our rivers.”
[Main image credit: Pandora Pictures / shutterstock.com]