London’s rivers
There’s an interesting suggestion in the Times today that Boris Johnson may revive some of London’s lost rivers.
The Westbourne already surfaces in the Serpentine, but the Fleet (which gives its name to Fleet Street) is completely buried. Other rivers that might resurface are mainly suburban – the Ravensbourne in Lewisham, for instance, or the Wandle in Croydon.
It’s difficult to tell from the Times article whether this idea has got past the kite-flying stage. It would certainly take years to put into practice.
But I do know of one city where a river has been rediscovered – Mechelen, in Belgium. It was once a city built on little islands in the marshy environs of the river Dijle. Later on, the canals and streams were blocked up, and only a tiny stub of one left open to view, the ‘Green Water’, a duckweed-filled inlet behind a couple of monastic refuges.
But a few years ago, Mechelen decided to reclaim its water heritage, and opened up the channel of the Melaan right in the middle of the city. It’s transformed the space – and that’s made a real impact on the quality of life.
My personal choice of a London river to revive? The Walbrook. Just imagine the Walbrook running down from St Stephen’s church towards Cannon Street – what a lovely lunchtime spot that would make in the middle of the City!
Photo credit – Jude Holland on flickr. The photo shows the current route of the Fleet river.
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