Promise of ‘swimmable rivers’ must not encourage swimming in dangerous tides, officials warn

London: So, there’s been a bit of a stir in the city about swimming in the Thames. Mayor Sadiq Khan has this big plan to make the rivers swimmable by 2034. Sounds great, right? But officials are worried that people might take this as a green light to dive into the Thames, which can be super dangerous.

At a recent meeting, a top official from the Port of London Authority pointed out that the headlines about “swimmable rivers” might give folks the wrong idea. They’ve been working hard to keep people safe, and last year, there were quite a few accidents in the tidal Thames. It’s not just about wanting to swim; it’s about knowing when and where it’s safe.

The Thames is tidal almost everywhere in London, and swimming is only allowed in certain spots. Even then, it’s not encouraged. The currents can be really strong, and they can sweep away even the best swimmers. The Port of London Authority is clear: swimming in the tidal Thames is a no-go.

The mayor’s office is all about cleaning up the Thames and making it safer for everyone. They’ve even put out a map showing safer swimming spots, like Hampstead Ponds and the Serpentine in Hyde Park. But they also remind people that the tidal Thames isn’t safe for swimming right now.

Khan’s team is focused on improving water quality and protecting wildlife. They’re pushing Thames Water to fix sewage spills and looking into ways to make the rivers cleaner. So, while the idea of swimmable rivers is exciting, it’s crucial to stay safe and know where you can actually swim.