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| This could be Greenhithe |
25-Feb-13
Mayor and TfL unveil plans to double Thames passenger journeys by 2020
· £10m allocated to boost river passenger journeys to 12 million a year by 2020
· Three new piers to open, with the first at Plantation Wharf later this year
· River services already at their most popular ever, with passenger numbers up by over a quarter in the last four years
The Mayor and Transport for London (TfL) today unveiled a host of
measures to increase journeys on the Thames, with a target of doubling
the number of river passengers by 2020.
TfL’s ‘River Action Plan’ sets out the improvements that will be
made to river services over the next seven years to ensure that
Londoners and visitors are making the most of the capital’s famous
waterway and that it reaches its full potential.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “The River Thames played a
major part in the success of a momentous 2012 and I am determined to
capitalise on these achievements and safeguard the river’s central role
in the future achievements of our great city. That is why I have set a
target to increase passenger journeys on the Thames to 12 million a year
by 2020 and to maximise its potential for high quality river travel
with the building of new piers and even better facilities.”
Key improvements will include:
· Opening
three new piers, with the first at Plantation Wharf in Battersea due to
open later this year. Two more piers have planning permission at
Battersea Power Station and Enderby Wharf;
· Improving
existing pier facilities by transforming the signage, information and
ticketing facilities, rolling-out iBoat real-time arrivals information
and introducing the new contactless 'Wave and Pay' ticketing on river
services;
· Ensuring
that the river is a fully integrated part of London’s transport network
with interchange announcements on all other relevant transport services
and improved cycle parking and cycle hire facilities near piers;
· Working
with developers and planners and other stakeholders to maximise
opportunities for pier improvements in order to expand and progress the
true potential of the river.
Passengers will begin to see new improvements on river services as
soon as this spring, with real-time arrivals information being unveiled
across all existing piers and a new pier at Plantation Wharf opening in
the summer. Two other piers at Battersea Power Station and Enderby Wharf
have planning permission and work should begin on these shortly.
With river services more popular than ever, passenger numbers have
increased by over 25 per cent in the last four years. By 2031 TfL
anticipates there will be an extra 100,000 new homes and 220,000 new
jobs close to the Thames creating increased passenger demand for river
services. Therefore it’s important for TfL to start making further
improvements to facilities now.
Mike Weston, TfL’s Operations Director, Surface Transport, said:
“This is an exciting chapter for the Thames, with more and more people
already using the river to commute to work or for leisure trips. As one
of the most attractive ways to travel around the capital, we are fully
committed to ensuring that the river reaches its full potential by
creating highly visible, attractive piers with services that are easy to
find, easy to use and more frequent than ever before.”
Jim Trimmer, Head of Planning and Partnerships at the Port of
London Authority said: “The Port of London Authority welcomes this
important new initiative that brings together the different river
organisations and operators. It will be a further boost to the continued
growth in passenger movements on the Thames.”
Rita Beckwith, Chief Executive Officer for City Cruises PLC, said:
“City Cruises welcome the publication of the River Action Plan and the
importance that is being placed on the river both as a means of
transport and a wonderful tourist experience. Partnership working is
the only way we can achieve our goals and ensure that our great river
continues to sparkle as the jewel in London’s crown.”
Significant progress in boosting river passenger journeys has
already been made since the Mayor brought together over 40 organisations
including boat operators, borough councils, pier owners and TfL to form
a River Concordat in 2009. Major improvements at Tower Pier and
Greenwich Pier and the opening of new piers at Imperial Wharf near
Chelsea and St George’s Wharf in Vauxhall have already been completed.
In addition Oyster Pay As You Go has been introduced on Thames Clipper
services for added passenger convenience.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
1. TfL’s River Action Plan is available from TfL’s press office on 0845 604 4141
2. River
passenger journeys in the capital have risen from 5.3 million in
2007/08 to 6.6 million in 2011/12, an increase of 25.5 per cent
3. TfL
will lead the River Concordat Steering Group to track delivery of the
River Action Plan and discuss strategic issues affecting river passenger
services. TfL will produce an annual River Action Plan Update to track
progress
