New arch width restriction signage for bridges

1. Introduction

1.1. The purpose of this consultation is to seek views on a Port of London Authority (PLA) proposal for the introduction of new signage to indicate reduced widths in bridge arches. These signs are intended for use on bridges undergoing works that temporarily narrow the navigable width of an arch; while keeping it open to navigation. The signs will mark the area that remains safe for vessels to pass through. Although new to tidal Thames, these signs effectively used throughout Europe’s inland waterways and detailed in Annex 7, A.10 of the European Code for Inland Waterways (CEVNI).

1.2. The signage in this consultation will apply to all bridges within the Port of London Authority.
1.3. The full proposal is contained in ANNEX A of this consultation notice. 

2. The Consultation Process

Affected Parties
2.1. This consultation is directed towards river stakeholders and may be of particular interest to:
A. Masters and Pilots that regularly navigate the tidal Thames, particularly upriver of Tower Bridge.
B. Bridge owners and contractors that regularly undertake bridgeworks.

Consultation Duration
2.2. This consultation is now open and will last for 30 days. It will close on 09th October 2025.

Conclusion
2.3. The information you submit may be made available to other parties. If you do not consent to this, you must clearly request that your response be treated as confidential. Any confidentiality disclaimer generated by your IT system in e-mail responses will not be treated as such a request. If you make such a request, you will not receive a response.
2.4. We appreciate all responses to our consultations, and we may contact you to reply to your feedback, however we do not respond to everyone. Replies are provided when required – such as a request for more information.

3. Responses to this Consultation

3.1. Reponses to the consultation should be sent so that they are received no later than the closing date detailed in 2.2.
3.2. Responses may be submitted in the following two methods:

A. By post: 
Marine Compliance Department
Port of London Authority 
London River House, Royal Pier Road, 
Gravesend, Kent DA12 2BG

B. By email:
[email protected]
(Please include the Consultation Notice number in the subject line (located on the top right of the first page of this document – eg. CXX-2X).

4. Proposal

4.1. The PLA propose new signage to indicate reduced widths in bridge arches.
4.2. The new width restriction signage matches the provisions of: 
A. Signage information - Annex 7, A.10 of the European Code for Inland Waterways (CEVNI).
B. Technical specifications, including size and illumination - SIGNI European Code for Signs and Signals on Inland Waterways, Resolution 90.
4.3. The new width restriction signage would provide additional visual indication of where navigation is permitted. 
4.4. This signage would replace the unofficial tiger stripe/chevron boards that have been used in recent years.

APPENDIX A

NEW BRIDGE ARCH WIDTH RESTRICTION SIGNAGE 
The Port of London Authority (PLA) propose the introduction of new signage to indicate reduced widths in bridge arches. The signs are intended for use on bridges undergoing works that temporarily narrow the navigable width of an arch; while keeping it open to navigation. The signs will mark the area that remains safe for vessels to pass through. Although new to tidal Thames, these signs are based on those described in Annex 7, A.10 of the European Code for Inland Waterways (CEVNI).

The proposed signs are illustrated below, an apply only within the arch they are displayed.

By night, these signs would be illuminated by a white light, in line with the provisions set in SIGNI European Code for Signs and Signals on Inland Waterways, Resolution 90.

Vessels should only navigate in the area between the white markers (where two signs are displayed) or the area between the white marker and the furthest abutment (where one sign is displayed). Vessels must not navigate in the area between the red sector and the nearest bridge abutment, as indicated in the image below:

It should be noted that these signs will only be used where it has been assessed by the harbourmaster that works can be safely carried out with an arch remaining open to navigation. The signs would replace the tiger stipes that have been used over recent years. 

These new signs will offer mariners clearer visual guidance on the direction of width restrictions, marking an improvement over the previously used tiger stripe system. This initiative does not signal a reduction in the use of arch closures, which will continue to be implemented when necessary. All bridge works will remain subject to individual assessment, ensuring decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.

The PLA will seek to incorporate the new width restriction signs into the relevant port regulations