New safety guide for Thames-side residents

A new water safety guide for residents living close to the tidal Thames has been issued to mark the Royal Life Saving Society’s Drowning Prevention Week (19-26 June).

Produced by the by the Tidal Thames Water Safety Forum (TTWSF), the Riverside Community Water Safety Guide provides comprehensive advice on enjoying the river safely for all those living or working in properties near the river, as well as recreational users of the 95-mile length of the Thames, from Teddington to the coast.

It includes tips on what to do in an emergency, along with practical steps to help everyone enjoy the river safely.

Chaired by the Port of London Authority (PLA), the TTWSF’s other members are: the City of London Police, the City of London Corporation, HM Coastguard, the London Ambulance Service, the London Fire Brigade, the Metropolitan Police, the RNLI, and Transport for London.

Lucy Owen, PLA deputy director of planning & environment, said: “This guide is essential reading for everyone who lives and works on or near the river, as well as visitors to the capital’s waterway this summer.

“It’s full of practical advice on ensuring that we prevent drownings and injuries on the river.

“Following the recent rapid expansion of river-side dwellings in London, we hope it will prove particularly useful for people living near the Thames in the capital for the first time.”

The TTWSF was established four years ago, to co-ordinate and promote safety on the river. Each year, an estimated 30 people lose their lives in the waters of the tidal Thames.

HRH the Duke of Cambridge launched the TTWSF’s Drowning Prevention Strategy in May 2019.