Plans to create London's first official bathing site on the River Thames have been welcomed by Richmond Council, which has announced a feasibility study to improve riverside access on the Ham side of the river.

The Government has proposed designating "Riverside at Ham and Kingston" as one of England's newest recognised bathing sites, potentially making it the first of its kind in the capital and joining 464 sites nationwide.

Although the proposed bathing water sits within the Royal Borough of Kingston's boundary, Richmond Council says the opportunity is shared, given the close links between communities on both sides of the river.

Council leader Gareth Roberts said: "The Thames is one of Richmond's defining features, with communities living and working on both sides of the river.

"While the proposed bathing site sits within Kingston's boundary, the opportunity is shared. We've already committed to improving our towpaths and riverside access — this feasibility study builds on that work and looks at how Ham can be ready for increased use of the river."

The Council will now explore options to upgrade Burnell Open Space and the neighbouring towpath to improve access to the river and support Ham's longer-term development as a Thames-side destination.

Jim Millard, Richmond's Lead Member for Finance, added: "This is about planning ahead. If Ham is to become part of London's first official Thames bathing offer, we need the right infrastructure in place.

"By exploring improvements to Burnell Open Space and the Ham riverside now, we are positioning the borough to respond confidently and responsibly to growing interest in river swimming and recreation."

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Reacting to the announcement, Twickenham MP Munira Wilson said: "I am absolutely delighted that the River Thames at Ham and Kingston is being considered as one the first-ever designated bathing spots in London, because everyone deserves to swim, paddle and row in clean, healthy water." 

"With the Government acknowledging the need to improve water quality, I hope they will also heed my and campaigners' calls to scrap Thames Water's proposals to pump treated effluent into the river Thames at Teddington - plans that are fundamentally incompatible with improving water quality along our precious stretch of the River Thames."

Detailed feasibility work is now set to begin, with further updates expected later this year.