​Our Events page has details of RTS meetings and other activities.
​Our Projects and Papers page gives access to the experience of many RTS Members. 

This page gives a report of recent RTS meetings and our involvement in many projects with the PLA and the Environment Agency.

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The Society, like many other organisations associated with the River Thames, depends on volunteers for most of its activities. This paper gives a brief outline about volunteering.
 

Our volunteers are active at our nature reserve at Bondig Bank, Marlow. Our River Wardens are walking their stretch of river and our volunteers will be present at any ‘River Thames’ events organised along the whole length of the river.
 

RTS Council

The RTS Council met on 5th September at Staines-upon-Thames.

Reports were given by the Chairman, Administrator, Treasurer, Web Manager ,Bargemaster and by Branches, noting that progress had been made in finding a member to take over as Middle Thames Branch Chairman and that Upper Thames  now had a Committee , with efforts underway to involve more members in events.

Following the General Election, with substantial changes in MPs from river constituencies, it was noted that they and ministers from relevant departments will receive our magazine. There was no news yet about the formation of the All-Party Parliamentary Thames Group. There had been some announcements  from the new government on policies concerning water companies and some other environmental issues. A coalition of groups was organising a “ Clean Water” demonstration, which called for measures on pollution and water supplies, that echoed issues raised by RTS over the years.

Specific items discussed included the EA’s River Thames Scheme for flood channels, Spelthorne Council’s proposal to charge boaters for access across land they own ,closure of Marsh and Temple Bridges, Wild Marlow’s vole and mink eradication project.

The need to extend the RTS presence at events as an aid to recruitment was discussed, Linda Humphreys-Evans was thanked for leading the RTS team at the Traditional Boat Festival and it was agreed to promote our River Warden scheme and seek members to undertake that role.

With the RTS cutter repaired and back in service best wishes were extended to the RTS crew in the Great River Race on 21st September

Peter Finch, Chairman

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Port of London Annual Stakeholder Meeting June 2024
RTS Chairman Peter Finch, Vice President Lady Borwick and Upper Tideway Branch Chairman Hilary Pereiara represented the Society at this event on June 11th Their report of the meeting is now available.
 

Environment Agency Consultation on River Thames Scheme 2024

Two branches of the River Thames Society have responded to the February 2024 consultation about the River Thames Scheme.​

The Teddington to Old Windsor branch. 

The Upper Tideway branch

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Thames Water Consultation on its Water Resources Management Plan 2024
The River Thames Society has prepared  a critique of the plans with outline RTS response to a consultation by Thames Water. This updated version was agreed by the RTS Council at its meeting in February 2023. This further update is dated the end of August 2023.

The Thames  Water consultation website has more information.

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Camp Sites on River Thames
In May 2023 The Environment Agency announced that all its campsites on River Thames would be closed. RTS has opposed this action and requested EA to open the sites.

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​​Hammersmith Bridge

In August 2021, RTS Upper Tideway Branch Chairman Hilary Pereira prepared a summary of the situation which was updated in October 2021. Read it here. 

 

Port of London Harbour Revision Order Consultation. RTS Response
On August 18th 2021, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) started its formal consultation on a draft Port of London Authority (PLA) Harbour Revision Order (HRO). The HRO is intended to modernise the Port of London Act 1968, under which the PLA operates. It takes into account the nature of modern operations and technology in use on the river today and the continued evolution of the PLA as a modern, transparent organisation.

The next stage in the process is going to be a public inquiry. The responses from the RTS and all associated correspondence can be found on the inquiry website

 

 

Thames Vision 2050. RTS Response

This public consultation was conducted by the Port of London Authority. In July 2021, The River Thames Society submitted this response to a series of consultation questions. In September 2022, the final version of the Vision was published on the PLA website.

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Clean Rivers

RTS has long campaigned against pollution in the river and  will continue to do so until there is an end to these totally unacceptable sewage discharges.
 

The water companies have a basic responsibility to prevent the spills and the Environment Agency needs more teeth and resources, which must be provided by the Government.
 

RTS supported the concept of the Tideway Tunnel from the outset and is now pleased that it is nearing completion, which will mean the vast majority of combined sewage overflows will go into it for storage pending treatment, ending the scandal of discharges into the tidal Thames.
 

However, some sources of pollution will remain on the tideway as they still do on the non-tidal river as recent well-publicised incidents have demonstrated.
 

We will continue to press for action by Government and the companies responsible to prioritise investment in sewage works, improve monitoring procedures and set targets for the eradication of sewage spills.
 

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RTS River Wardens

The volunteer wardens undertake to walk beside the river at intervals throughout the year, and to report on any problems that they see.

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Problems with the condition of the Thames Path (signs, potholes, broken gates, etc) are reported to the National Trails Office or other responsible authorities. Fallen trees that might be blocking the river and sources of pollution to the river are reported to the Environment Agency or the Port of London Authority.

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Most wardens take a plastic bag with them to pick up litter on their walks.  Some of the reaches are trouble free and stay in good repair - so the warden's report is simply to say that all is well.  Some wardens like to tell us about the good things that they see on their reaches e.g. interesting birds or plants, improvements to the Thames Path, facilities for visitors or boats.

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The warden duties are entirely voluntary, so we all act in our own ways. A few who live beside the river combine the wardenship with a daily walk. Others live at a distance from the river and being a warden is an additional reason for a riverside walk.

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The wardens on the non-tidal reaches work in partnership with National Trails volunteers and there is always a need for additional volunteers to help tackle some of the tasks involved in keeping the Thames path safe and enjoyable.  If you would be interested in assisting with this work or finding out more about practical conservation activities please contact the Thames National Trails office, 01865 810224, thames.path@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

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The Thames Path

The River Thames Society has played an important role in the development of the Thames Path. In 2021, the 25th anniversary of creation of the Thames Path was celebrated. This short document summarises the development.

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River Thames Society Grants
RTS is able to consider applications for funding from river-related organisations . Resources will restrict amounts available but , as can be seen from this list, we are sometimes able to help with a wide range of projects connected to the Thames.
In the first iinstance, contact our Administrator, Helen Batten.

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River Warden Co-ordinators: (non-tidal Thames)

Chairmen of the Upper Thames, Middle Thames and Teddington to Old Windsor RTS Branches.

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River Warden Co-ordinator (Tidal Thames)

Peter Finch:  email Sailor1057@aol.com
Phone: 0208 969 9941/ 07711 419772

 

RTS Cutter

RTS owns a waterman's cutter Thames Guardian built by our Vice President Mark Edwards MBE at Richmond Bridge Boathouses. Bought in 2000 as a Millennium project the boat takes part in the  annual Great River Race, other races and ceremonial events on the river. The cutter is available for use by other organisations and we are especially keen to see young people introduced to fixed-seat rowing. Further information from Barge Master Roy Miller.

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Events along the River Thames

RTS volunteers regularly participate in events held along the whole length of the Thames. This gives us an opportunity to publicise our activities and to recruit new members.

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Monitoring and responding to Planning Applications
The Chairman of each of our five branches is responsible for reviewing and responding to planning applications in close proximity to their section of the River Thames.
South Bank Planning Application
In August 2022, RTS Chairman Peter Finch wrote to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up requesting that a planning application for the former TV building on London's South Bank be 'called in'. Lambeth Council has approved the planning application. In the request Mr Finch stated :
'We regret that the London Borough of Lambeth has given planning permission for such a massive building that will dominate its neighbours and seriously affect the riverscape, both from nearby and from across the river.

A high - standard building much more in keeping with current surroundings is required and we do hope you will agree to look at the plans and object as they stand'.

On September 1st, it was announced that a full public inquiry into the planning application rewill be held. Details are here.