Thames public space opens on sewer building site

A former construction site for London's "super sewer" has been transformed into a large new public space on the bank of the River Thames.

The 1.5 acre site next to Blackfriars Bridge, which was closed off for nine years during the Thames Tideway Tunnel project, has been landscaped with thousands of trees and shrubs, along with gathering spots and sculptural artworks.

Named after Victorian civil engineer Sir Joseph Bazalgette, the Bazalgette Embankment offers new vistas of the Thames, and level access, varied seating, smooth paths and ramps make most viewing platforms accessible.

Roger Bailey, Tideway's chief technical officer, said reopening this space marked a "major milestone for London".

"What began as a vital construction site for the super sewer has been transformed into a remarkable public space – a place to pause, explore and enjoy the river in a way that hasn't been possible for generations," he said.

"Bazalgette Embankment stands as a celebration of what thoughtful engineering and long-term investment can deliver for the capital and for everyone who calls it home."

Improvements have also been made to the Thames Path, with the narrow paths and ramps made more accessible.

Underneath the site below ground, new culverts, pipes and vortexes intercept sewage flows and channel them into a 15-mile (25 km) long super sewer that runs beneath London.

The sewer, designed to protect the Thames from sewage spills, took 10 years to build and has been operating since early 2025.

The site at Blackfriars was among several in London needed for construction works.

The artwork on site is from Glasgow-based Nathan Coley and includes Waterwall - a 28ft (8.8m) high sculpture with a cascading water feature.

The Bazalgette Embankment is the sixth of seven new public riverside spots created in London as part of the super sewer project to open, following those in Putney, Chelsea, Vauxhall, Nine Elms and along Victoria Embankment.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, external, X, external and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to [email protected], external