Mayor Launches £1.8bn Plan to Clean London's Rivers
Hackney's West Reservoir hosts launch of 10-year initiative to make waterways swimmable and wildlife-friendly.
News London evidence indexOpen analysis ▾
Trust high (90) due to named sources, specific figures, and two independent outlets confirming the mayor's plan.
Higher is stronger
Critic strong (95) as article explains relevance, quotes stakeholders, provides specific data and outlines next steps.
Higher is stronger
Hype moderate (28) with mild emphasis but no clickbait or unsupported urgency.
Lower is better
Sir Sadiq Khan launched his £1.8 billion Clean Rivers and Waterways Plan at Hackney’s West Reservoir on 30 July 2026. The 10-year initiative aims to make London’s 600 kilometres of rivers and waterways swimmable and support thriving wildlife. The Mayor attributed the current state of the capital’s rivers to decades of neglect by water companies.
The West Reservoir, located at Woodberry Down, has undergone upgrades and now offers open water swimming, sailing, and kayaking. This transformation serves as a model for the wider plan. City Hall has committed an additional £2.7 million, supplementing £13.5 million already allocated. Partners, including Thames Water, will provide the remaining funding.
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Water Company Investment
Thames Water has agreed to invest £1.7 billion over the next five years to address sewage pollution. Sir Sadiq Khan stated that this commitment acknowledges the consequences of the company's past actions. He highlighted that sewage discharge in 2023 was five times higher than in 2022, a situation he described as unacceptable. The plan also incorporates the Thames Tideway Tunnel project, which is expected to reduce storm overflow into sewers by approximately 95%.
The Mayor described the plan as the most ambitious of its kind globally. He emphasised the need to reverse the decline in river quality, reduce pollution, revive nature, and restore public access. The plan targets 10 strategic locations, including the Upper Lea Valley and Lower Lea Valley bordering Hackney.
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Local Context and Behaviour
The launch event was attended by Mete Coban, the Mayor’s deputy mayor for environment and energy, who previously served as Hackney Council’s cabinet member for climate change, environment and transport. The Mayor also suggested that human behaviour contributes to river pollution, urging Londoners to adopt a more responsible attitude towards the city’s blue spaces. He stressed the importance of good design, adequate facilities, and clear signage to encourage public ownership and care for these areas.
Sir Sadiq Khan explained that accountability for the 10 strategic locations will be managed through a system of shared responsibility among different councils and community organisations, ensuring checks and balances are in place.
Questions this report answers
+How much will the scheme cost?
The Clean Rivers and Waterways Plan will cost £1.8 billion over 10 years. This funding will be used to make London’s 600km of rivers swimmable and restore wildlife habitats across the capital.
+What is Thames Water contributing?
Thames Water is contributing £1.7 billion towards the plan to tackle sewage pollution over the next five years. This investment follows criticism of the company’s past failures, including a fivefold increase in sewage discharges in 2023 compared to 2022.
+Which areas will benefit from the plan?
Ten strategic locations across London will benefit, including the Upper Lea Valley and Lower Lea Valley bordering Hackney. The West Reservoir in Hackney serves as a model for the wider initiative.
+How will the plan be managed?
Accountability for the 10 strategic locations will be shared among councils and community organisations. This system ensures checks and balances are in place to oversee progress and maintain transparency.
News London Desk
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