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Thames Vision Action Plan

2030 Action Plan

Delivering on the comprehensive Thames Vision 2050 demands short, medium and long term actions

We are regularly capturing the principal goals in our dynamic and evolving action plan, and will update to reflect progress. We work with multiple partners across the port, river and wider stakeholder community.

Trading Thames

PLA, with partner support

ACTION / TIMELINE

Provide cost effective services to port and river uses / Ongoing

Continue investment in pilotage to provide consistent service reliability +98% / Ongoing

Dredge main shipping channel to enhance port access and operational windows / Ongoing

Reactivate three safeguarded wharves and intensify use of already operational sites / By 2030

Lead development of the light freight market on the Thames / New services established by 2025

Secure Thames boatyard development at Albert Island, Newham / Operational by 2024

Partners, with PLA support

ACTION / PARTNERS / TIMELINE

Leverage Thames Freeport status to grow trade and level up local communities / Thames Freeport partners / In full operation

Invest in cargo handling facilities to serve UK and export markets / Port and terminal operators /London Gateway Berth 4 construction underway as of October 2022; Completion set for 2024; First phase of Tilbury 3 operational 2026

Keep main port approach channels depth under review, ensuring port remains competitive/ Terminal operators; if dredge advanced, regulators including Marine Management Organisation and Environment Agency / 2025

Construction of Lower Thames Crossing / National Highways / Development programme updated

Secure additional railfreight infrastructure, through Network Rail Control Period 7 (2024-29) and secure more intensive use of existing infrastructure to support low carbon, multi modal operations / Network Rail, Department for Transport, Port operators / Active advocacy through to 2024

Develop and implement pier adaptation plans, where appropriate, to support the development of light freight operations / Transport for London, Thames Estuary Growth Board, Cross River Partnership, pier owners / Study to inform developments

Destination Thames

Port of London Authority

ACTION / TIMELINE

Enable safe and appropriate public use of the tidal Thames foreshore / Improved foreshore access guidance programme by end 2023

Commission and publish study on the business and public benefit case for electric ferry river crossings / Report during 2023

Partners, with PLA support

ACTION / PARTNERS / TIMELINE

Expand passenger pier/route network / Vessel operators, riverside property developers, GLA, Transport for London / Agree a target number for new piers by early 2023

Develop and stage a major, maritime event on the Thames to drawing people to the river and its banks and to help attract inward investment / London & Partners, GLA, key Thames side boroughs, river operators, Thames Estuary Growth Board / 
Event in 2025, to coincide with Tideway Tunnel opening

Active Thames partnership focus supporting improved access, diversity and inclusion / 
London Sport, Active Essex, Active Kent & Medway, Canal & River Trust, Thames Path National Trail and National Governing Bodies / Active Thames funding awarded; secure a new riverside multi-sport location by 2025

Develop and promote a series of Thames-based walks, across the city, Essex and Kent / Thames Path National Trail, Ramblers Association, Thames Estuary Growth Board, Thames Estuary Partnership and community groups / Five new walks delivered by end of 2023

Natural Thames

Port of London Authority

ACTION / TIMELINE

Stop all releases of sewage from all commercial passenger vessels into the river / By mid-2024

Facilitate access to environmental data in relation to vessel emissions, biodiversity and foreshore litter / Proposal due end of 2023, with implementation to follow in 2024.

Leverage the opportunity for Biodiversity Net Gain to improve status and quantum of high quality, resilient Thames habitats / Initial Defra-funded assessment project to complete by end 2023

Partners, with PLA support

ACTION / PARTNERS / TIMELINE

Complete Tideway Tunnel and bring it into operation / Tideway, Thames Water / 
2025

Advocate for further reduction in untreated sewage releases in Thames including upstream of Teddington / Ofwat, Environment Agency, Thames Water, Thames 21, other civil society groups / Ongoing

Increase percentage of the foreshore in good condition, assessed by rapid litter appraisals / Thames21, other community groups / 75% graded B or above (predominately free of litter) end by 2022; long-term target to be agreed with Litter Forum partners

Joint advocacy to reduce the flow of plastics, micro plastics and non-biodegradables into the Thames / Thames Litter Forum, Keep Britain Tidy, Thames21 / Ongoing

Cross Cutting Actions

PLA, with partner support

ACTIONS / TIMELINE

Develop Thames masterplan, matching Vision actions and goals to wider planning and other policy guidance / Bexley plan published; Tower Hamlets and Newham in process

Set up Thames Vision delivery Board of key partners, to track and review progress / December 2022

Invest in new Marine Control Centre at Gravesend, with flexible new port control technology / Operational by 2026

Ensure growth in river traffic is managed safely for all river users, including recreational vessels / Ongoing

Convene the Thames Net Zero Coalition, to accelerate low carbon development on the Thames / Established in 2022

Achieve Net Zero for PLA operations / 2040, or earlier

Invest in first electric charging point operation on the Thames / Complete summer 2022

Develop and maintain a clear and robust regulatory framework for the safe transportation, bunkering and use of alternative fuels on the Thames / Working group with MCA, HSE and TEGB to report by 2023, see also Hydrogen Highway

Establish scope for zero emission berth development / Subject to internal review

Improve diversity of PLA workforce / Annual reporting in PLA Report & Accounts

Establish Thames engagement benchmark and target outreach activities to less connected communities / 2023

Partners, with PLA support

ACTIONS / PARTNERS / TIMELINE

Regulations to limit the operation of Class V historic passenger vessels, in line with Maritime & Coastguard Agency proposals / Maritime & Coastguard Agency / Statutory Instrument to introduce the regulations passed by Commons committee, October 2022

Continuous Professional Development for masters and unsupervised watchkeepers on intra port vessels / Company of Watermen & Lightermen, Thames Skills Academy and all Thames operators / Implementation from 2023 (voluntary); mandatory from January 2024

Deliver actions in the Tidal Thames Water Safety Forum Drowning Prevention Strategy / Maritime & Coastguard Agency, RNLI, London Fire Brigade, Metropolitan Police (Marine Policing Unit), London Ambulance Service, City of London Corporation, City of London Police and Transport for London / Deliver all six objectives of the Drowning Prevention Strategy by 2024

Invest in clean maritime fuels, zero-emission vessels, alternative propulsion systems, and landside infrastructure, including shore power / Thames Estuary Growth Board, vessel and terminal operators / Ongoing

Champion and facilitate the development of a Thames Estuary-centred hydrogen ecosystem / Thames Estuary Growth Board and partners / Ongoing; see Hydrogen Route Map

Establish the Thames as a centre for carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology use / Cory / 2030

Thames Estuary 2100 programme review and delivery / Environment Agency/TE2100 team / Latest consultation closed November 2022

Completed clean maritime demonstrator projects, including self-propelled autonomous barge feasibility assessment / Thames Clippers, Cory, plus BAE Systems / Completed and findings reported

Recruitment and retention of employees from diverse backgrounds / River operators, working with Thames Skills Academy and Maritime UK / Ongoing

Active Thames partnership focus supporting improved access and opportunity / PLA, London Sport, Active Essex, Active Kent & Medway, British Canoeing, British Rowing, Canal & River Trust and Thames Path National Trail / Annual grant programme to support projects improving access; See Active Thames for more information.

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