NEWS SPLASH! Swimming pool to open - in middle of the Thames... and German purification experts promise water will be as clear 'as a mountain lake'
- £10million open-air pool will be built in middle of Thames in central London
- Water from the river will be pumped into the 82ft by 32ft main lap pool
- 4ft-high glass balustrade will protect swimmers from river traffic waves
It is barely half a century since parts of the Thames were declared ‘biologically dead’ because the river was so dirty.
But with the water now cleaner than at any time in living memory, entrepreneurs want to build a £10 million open-air swimming pool in the middle of the Thames in Central London.
Purification specialists from Germany – which has the highest water cleanliness standards in Europe – have designed a system which the scheme’s backers say will ensure that bathing is safe for visitors of all ages.
Scroll down for video
The lido will have changing rooms, a 130ft ramp leading from the shore to the water, a plunge pool and a children’s paddling area, while a 4ft-high glass barrier will protect swimmers from waves
The Thames Baths at Temple Stairs on the Embankment will be surrounded by reed beds to filter water from the river before it is pumped into the 82ft by 32ft main lap pool, with a secondary filtration device underneath the poolside decking.
Health concerns have been raised about the project because of sewage overflows during heavy rain and the experience of comedian David Walliams, who suffered a bout of ‘Thames tummy’ during a 140-mile charity swim in 2011.
Share this article
But experts from German firm Polyplan, which has built natural swimming pools all over Europe, have come up with a solution.
Tim Evans, director of British firm Gartenart, which is working on the project, said the water – unheated and chlorine-free – will be ‘as clean as anything you would find in a mountain lake’.
The Thames Baths at Temple Stairs on the Embankment will be surrounded by reed beds to filter water from the river before it is pumped into the 82ft by 32ft main lap pool
The lido will have changing rooms, a 130ft ramp leading from the shore to the water, a plunge pool and a children’s paddling area, while a 4ft-high glass balustrade will protect swimmers from waves caused by river traffic.
Chris Romer-Lee, of Studio Octopi – the London architects behind the scheme – said he hoped an initial £300,000 to cover consultancy costs and other fees would be raised by crowd-funding, where members of the public can contribute to community schemes. Details can be found at thamesbaths.com.
If planning permission is granted, the lido could open late next year.
David Walliams, above, suffered a bout of ‘Thames tummy’ during a 140-mile charity swim in 2011
Most watched News videos
- Two heart-stopping stormchaser near-misses during tornado chaos
- Protesters form human chain to stop migrant removal from London hotel
- Horror as sword-wielding man goes on rampage in east London
- Police officers taser and detain sword-wielding man in Hainault
- Moment van crashes into passerby before sword rampage in Hainault
- Police and protestors blocking migrant coach violently clash
- Terrifying moment Turkish knifeman attacks Israeli soldiers
- Police arrive in numbers to remove protesters surrounding migrant bus
- Protesters slash bus tyre to stop migrant removal from London hotel
- Police and protestors blocking migrant coach violently clash
- Hainault: Tributes including teddy and sign 'RIP Little Angel'
- Manchester's Co-op Live arena cancels ANOTHER gig while fans queue
