Sadiq Khan hosts roundtable to create ‘swimmable rivers’ by 2034

Transcript

00:00Well I think the reason why it's important that we try is because often we're told things can't

00:05be done. I remember being told nine years ago we could clean up the air and we'll do it this year

00:12but when I see and read stories about swimmers being discharged right off from the roads into

00:17the drains and then to the rivers and streams, when I hear stories about the number of species

00:22in the River Thames whether it's fish or the birds that rely upon the habitat in the Thames

00:27being reduced over the decades, but also I'm told that there are certain communities in

00:31London whether they're black, Asian, marginally ethnic, whether they're poor Londoners who haven't

00:35got access to the wildlife and river, I think it's an issue of social justice and environmental

00:41justice. So what you've got today is a coming together of all the key individuals and groups

00:47will be working towards a clean and healthy waterways plan but also we've had today

00:52announcements of significant funds such as from City Hall and TfL, from Thames Water and London

00:57Wildlife Task Force which will begin the process of cleaning up the river and waters in London.

01:01Well I think we're going to see what the causes are of the pollution in the river, sometimes they

01:05are you know canal boats or other boats that are diesel and so forth as part of the round table

01:11is representing of the canals downstairs and so we'll be keen to get from them a feel of what

01:16the causes are because we have seen a huge increase in pollution, combination of neglect

01:22and intentional or you know unintentional damage and we're going to reverse that and so look at

01:29all sorts of policies. I don't want to be prescriptive about what the plan is going to say

01:32but this plan will take some months to come together because it will need to take on board

01:38the views of a lot of people what's realistic and doable. I've got no control of the rivers in London

01:43whether it's the River Thames, the canals or the 41 tributaries and stuff so I've got to be

01:48cognizant of that, I do have control of the roads. So it's a grand goal aiming for the rivers in

01:53London to be swimmable in 10 years time but I think the exciting thing about it is that once

01:57you start on that path you are creating day by day, week by week, month by month better waterways

02:04and that starts up with better waterways for wildlife and for people you know it's a massive

02:09part of our well-being particularly in a big city like London. So for me you know I've spent the

02:13last five or six years you know just rampaging against Thames water and against you know the

02:20outages of sewage into our waterways to see this as a positive first step to a better future is a

02:26big deal. It's massive you know they've been such a pariah for really good reason in recent years

02:32but they're here, they're here sat around the table with all the people who can make a difference

02:36all the conservation organisations and you know it can't be done without them so yes they have to be

02:42here and the fact they are is a really good thing. There are massive massive goals and you know it

02:48involves not just Thames but 41 other London waterways and were we to actually achieve the

02:54goals that are being set right now it would put London right at the top of the list for big capital

02:58cities around the world in terms of waterway health and you know give Mayor Sadiq Khan his credit

03:05he set out to clean up the air and he's done an amazing job of that and his campaign promises

03:13to get re-elected were very much centred around waterways and we're here today on

03:17you know the start of that path and you know to see a politician who is

03:22willing to you know walk the walk and talk the talk is in this day and age a massive thing.