Responding to the start of Thames Water’s hosepipe ban in the capital, Nick Bowes, Chief Executive of the think tank Centre for London said:

“This should be a wake-up call that we need to build London’s resilience to extreme weather.

London is not as wet a city as people might believe – it’s actually one of the driest parts of the UK. Hotter, drier spells are likely to become more common as a result of climate change.

But we are stuck in a pattern of reactive measures. Now is the time to get on the front foot by investing in new infrastructure, like new reservoirs and proactive public campaigns educating people on why it’s important to use less water every day.

We must face the fact that London’s natural water supply is low and think long-term.”

ENDS 

Notes to editors      

• Centre for London is dedicated to researching the city’s critical issues. We bring together London’s citizens, experts and leaders to discuss, develop and implement the policy solutions to tackle them. We can make London a safe, open, well connected and dynamic city, where everyone thrives.