Restoring the Wandle

I'm passionate about getting the river Wandle, which forms the Putney constituency's eastern boundary, cleaned up. I've written about the importance of the Wandle regularly since being selected, and when there's something to say about it, I'll continue to do so.

I grew up with the Wandle on my doorstep but when I was growing up the river was polluted and very nearly dead. Today, the news is very different, despite the Thames Water acid spillage a few months ago.

Not only is the water cleaner but The Wandle Trust has been organising cleanup events to haul the huge amount of trash that has been dumped in it over the years. This isn't just about aesthetics: rubbish in any river raises the water level - and that worsens flooding, so it's important to keep the Wandle clean AND clear.

The Wandle will never return to being the vital channel for industry it was in Victorian times: servicing 90 mills along its length, but it can once again be a proud and important river no longer buried by planners or polluted by fly-tippers. That's something I hope we can all welcome.

If you'd like to get involved with one of the cleanups call the Wandle Trust on 0845 092 0110.