Putney foreshore is 'cleanest in London'

More than 300 volunteers took part in Sunday's litter clean-up, organised by London’s leading waterways charity Thames21.

Wearing thick gloves and carry bin bags, the group collected rubbish and identified specific waste problems.

They were helped by one of the lowest daytime tides of 2011, revealing more of the riverbed than usual.

Debbie Leach, chief executive of Thames21, said full survey results were currently being compiled by the charity, but Putney could well be at the top of the river foreshore league table.

"The community has taken responsibility for the proper disposal of litter,” she said.

”However there are other significant water quality issues at this point in the river. A lot of the plastic litter we did find had clearly entered the Thames through the sewage system. There are a huge amount of cotton bud sticks, which only end up in London’s river due to combined sewer overflows.

“39 million tonnes of sewage enters the Thames each year, with a significant impact on the river wildlife and on recreational activities. This is a difficult and complicated issue, but it is absolutely vital for the health of Londoners and the environment that we solve it.”

Metal work, a bicycle, traffic cones, tyres and a shopping trolley were among items hauled from the riverbed.

The Deep Clean continues in Chiswick today at Dukes Meadows, Chiswick.

Pictures of the Deep Clean on Flickr:

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