The River Thames near Teddington has been designated as the first official bathing spot in London and is one of 13 proposed areas across the country.

The new spot, which is specifically located at Ham and Kingston, was shortlisted as a new river bathing water after campaigners gathered evidence to show thousands of people use the river for swimming throughout the year.

The move forms part of a nationwide programme that could see London join 464 bathing locations across the country. 

Marlene Lawrence, the founder of local swimming group Teddington Bluetits, which has more than 2,000 members, put in the bathing water application alongside her colleagues.

Local MP, Munira Wilson, says that she welcomes the news, but calls for Thames Water's sewage recycling proposals to be scrapped, saying the two proposals are "fundamentally incompatible."

 Responding to the news Munira Wilson MP said: "I am absolutely delighted that the River Thames at Ham and Kingston is being considered as one of the first-ever designated bathing spots in London, because everyone deserves to swim, paddle and row in clean, healthy water."

"With the Government acknowledging the need to improve water quality, I hope they will also heed my and campaigners' calls to scrap Thames Water's proposals to pump treated effluent into the river Thames at Teddington - plans that are fundamentally incompatible with improving water quality along our precious stretch of the River Thames."

Thames Water's Teddington Direct River Abstraction (TDRA) proposals plan to build a river abstraction shaft upstream of Teddington Weir and to replace the abstracted water with an equal amount of recycled water from new tertiary treatment facilities located in Mogden Sewage by 2033.

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Munira, residents and local campaigners are concerned about the environmental impact of these proposals, including on human health, biodiversity, wildlife and water quality.

The River Thames at Teddington, in Munira's constituency, had the sixth greatest concentration of toxic Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the UK between 2019-2022 (eleven times above safe levels set out by the EU).

Richmond Council also says it welcomes the news.

Councillor Gareth Roberts, leader of Richmond Council, added: "The Thames is one of Richmond's defining features, with communities living and working on both sides of the river. 

"While the proposed bathing site sits within Kingston's boundary, the opportunity is shared. We've already committed to improving our towpaths and riverside access - this feasibility study builds on that work and looks at how Ham can be ready for increased use of the river."

The Council will now explore options to upgrade Burnell Open Space and the adjacent towpath, improving access to the river and supporting Ham's long-term potential as a Thames-side destination.

Councillor Jim Millard, Lead Member for Finance, said: "This is about planning ahead. If Ham is to become part of London's first official Thames bathing offer, we need the right infrastructure in place. 

"By exploring improvements to Burnell Open Space and the Ham riverside now, we are positioning the borough to respond confidently and responsibly to growing interest in river swimming and recreation."

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