Speeches and letters

THAMES FUTURE: THE PROSPECTS FOR AN IMPORTANT RIVER

Can I firstly thank you for inviting me to speak to you this afternoon on what is an issue of fundamental importance to the London Mayor. The Thames we see today owes almost as much to human endeavor as it does to the forces of nature. And most of the beneficial human effort has been the great engineering work - the embankment, flood protection, drainage works and of course the bridges.

Over many decades, the use of the Thames was in decline as industry and employment moved and dereliction spread along the banks of the river. People hoped for something better. A small minority kept up the effort to revitalise the river.

Recently, things have begun to change. The banks of the Thames are fashionable again and so life is returning to the river itself. Instead of just dividing London, the river and its banks are now a centre of attention.

The challenge for the London Mayor is to keep it that way and make sure its not just a passing phase. Labour created the London Mayor and the London Assembly not out of some grand political design, but because London needs a strategic authority to tackle important issues like the future of the Thames. London and Londoners will look to the Mayor for practical help - not presidential posturing.

The Thames has a number of key functions that will be of interest to the Mayor.
* For drainage and water supply;
* As a catalyst for development;
* As an ecological resource and open space;
* As a crucial transport artery for our city;
* And as an important recreational, leisure and tourist facility.

In terms of the Mayor's powers there are a number of key issues:
* Firstly through transport for London, the Mayor will have responsibility for transport services in London - including on the Thames.
* In planning powers, as part of the Spatial Development Strategy, the Mayor will be required by legislation to "promote and encourage use of the Thames" including the identification of a "Thames Policy Area" and a mechanism for coordinating Borough's planning policies within this area.
* In terms of leadership, there are a range of organisations who make a crucial contribution to the future of the river - the 17 riparian Boroughs, the Environment Agency, the Port of London Authority, London Transport, to name just a few.

The Mayor will have an important role in bringing people together, getting the various groups around the same table, knocking heads together, to bring about change. For many years the Thames was neglected, particularly during the 1980's where its only role was seen largely as a location for major luxury housing developments. London was seen as "turning its back on the river".

Thankfully, in more recent times, the Thames has been rightly seen as a key asset for our city and has been subject to a range of regeneration initiatives promoted by both Government and local partnerships. Notably I would point to:
* The Cross River Partnership (involving Westminster, City of London, Lambeth and Southwark, Railtrack, London Transport and the Port of London Authority).
* The Pool of London Partnership
* The Thames Gateway Partnership (and assorted partnerships within this on both sides of the river).

The river is and will be the location of a number of new major initiatives:
* Thames 2000 I know is supported by the Government and in particular John Prescott and being driven forward through the Cross River Partnership. This has seen the re-introduction of passenger services on the Thames, a central London Fast Ferry Service and a Millennium Express Service to the Dome. This will also involve the refurbishment or development of four piers - at Waterloo, Westminster, Tower and Blackfriars.
* There is also the development of new footbridges - at Hungerford Bridge and the Millennium Bridge from St Paul's stairs to the new Tate at Bankside.
* Major new developments, notably the Dome, the Wheel and the Bankside Tate, have all been major new initiatives on the river.

What we are seeing is a transformation of the Thames through the vision, drive and determination of the current partners.

And I know that this has not been an easy process because of the lack of a strategic overview and the sheer number of agencies involved. I think the current partners deserve our congratulations for what has been achieved so far. The London Mayor should be there to lend his or her support - ironing out any hitches, providing that strategic overview, making the delivery of these projects easier.

Practical help, bringing people together, will be the job of the Mayor. And no more so than in the future of the Thames. But as well as the high profile developments, there are more mundane - though nonetheless important - issues that are essential to the future of London and to the Londoners who rely on the Thames. They include recognising the ecological importance of the river. That means working with the Environment Agency, planning authorities and project promoters to ensure the long term future and safety of the Thames.

And safety is absolutely critical. The Marchioness Disaster must never be forgotten. Safety must remain paramount and the PLA and the Boroughs must be supported in ensuring that all the lessons from the disaster are learnt.

Another important issue is the Thames Path, the subject of major extensions in the past few years - due to the co-operation of local authorities and landowners - but the final parts of the path need to be completed. Also we have to remember that the Thames is still a working river, particularly for the movement of aggregates and waste and essential sites for piers and boatyards should be retained. Strategic Planning Guidance must ensure that some of the poor developments of the past are not repeated. The Thames affords some of the best views in London and forms a key part of the identity for Londoners. That's why we must work to protect and improve the Thames and the London Mayor can have a massive role in that.

The Thames must also never be allowed to become the preserve of luxury developments for a few people at the top. The Mayor will be the Mayor for all of London - and for all Londoners. Throughout this campaign I've said I want to see a cleaner, safer, more prosperous London. But also a fairer London. Planning agreements for affordable housing should seek to ensure that this is "on site" rather than involving "commuted payments" for developments away from the river. Coin Street has shown how creative planning can ensure affordable housing and mixed use development right in the centre of London.

The River Thames runs right through the heart of our great city. London was built on the Thames. For a thousand years or more the river has been the basis of our prosperity and growth. The London Mayor marks a new era for our city. It will mean new opportunities to bring people together. The Mayor alone can achieve very little. But by working with others - the people who have the expertise to make our river the focal point for our success - the Mayor can bring a new political will.

A new vision, based on the practical needs of our economy and the people in our city, that can take our city forward. The Thames has an important future - important to all Londoners. I look forward to playing my part in a successful future for our river and our city and I look forward to hearing your points of view and hopefully answering your questions.

Thank you.

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