Public perceptions of the environmental changes to the Thames Estuary in London, UK

This paper compares the ways in which managers and members of the public vi ewed one example of coastal and estuarine resources in the U.K, the tidal R iver Thames in London. It is based on semi-structured interviews with 14 ma nagers, eight focus group discussions with members of the public and a mail questionnaire survey completed by 110 representatives of tenants and resid ents associations in Thames-side Boroughs. Members of the public were well aware of the reduction in flood risk achiev ed through the implementation of a comprehensive flood defense strategy for London. However public awareness of improvements in water quality, habitat s and fisheries and understanding of the ecological importance of the inter tidal zone remained generally low. In London, there is a need to promote pu blic awareness and appreciation of estuarine and coastal resources, particu larly estuarine ecology. This is essential if members of the public are to be enabled to take an informed part in environmental decision making on iss ues such as land claim, development and conservation and if estuarine resou rces are not to be undervalued in benefit assessments involving public valu ations.