The River Thames is an iconic part of London and its history, but how does it support London’s transport system, and could it become a key transport option for Londoners in future years with the right investment?
There are currently a number of different services available for people to travel and cross the Thames, including Thames Clippers river buses, private river tours and the Woolwich Ferry river crossing.
The number of passengers using river services fell significantly during the pandemic, but numbers are starting to recover. The majority of passenger services are run by private companies, such as Thames Clippers. The Woolwich Ferry is the only service Transport for London (TfL) finances and is responsible for.
The London Assembly Transport Committee will be carrying out an investigation into London’s river services and how they serve Londoners. The investigation will consider how river transport services could expand with investment and will examine the existing use of light freight.
TfL’s Passenger Pier Strategy (2019) set out TfL’s vision, in collaboration with the Port of London Authority (PLA), to ‘facilitate the promotion and safe sustainable growth of piers to make river services an integral part of London’s world-leading public transport network’[1]. The Passenger Pier Strategy sets out four strategic aims: safety, commercial viability, customer experience and environmental sustainability.
The Committee will meet tomorrow to discuss London’s river transport services and scrutinise the progress made on TfL’s Passenger Pier Strategy.
Guests include:
- Danny Price, General Manager Sponsored Services, TfL
- David Panayiotou, Head of London River Services, TfL
- Sean Collins, Chief Executive Officer, Thames Clippers
- James Trimmer, Director of Planning and Development, Port of London Authority
- Fiona Coull, Programme Manager, Cross River Partnership
- Chris Livett, Chairman, Livett’s
The meeting will take place on Thursday 15 June 2023 from 10am, in the Chamber, City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
Follow us @LondonAssembly.
Notes to editors
- TfL, London’s Passenger Pier Strategy, October 2019
- Full agenda papers.
- Nick Rogers AM, Chairman of the Transport Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the Transport Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Anthony Smyth on 07510 488715. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer.