It’s now almost two years since Patricia Stoughton started a fortnightly blog on the Tidal Thames.

Her aim has been to try to unlock some of the stories “swirling around our beautiful, beguiling, dangerous, and ever-changing river”. Stories about people and places. And possibilities, like variations of patterns on the river’s surface, are endless.

She has photographed and written on workboats, tugs, and pleasure craft. And enjoying her contacts, she has among others, interviewed Vic Clarke, who remembers the river from his experiences on a collier in the 60s; Rob Jeffries, Hon. Curator of the Thames River Police Museum, expert on their history; and Chris Walker, Helm at the RNLI Tower station. She also learnt a lot about the river from Commercial Skipper, Wal Daly-Smith but it was her interview with Waterman and Lighterman Eric Carpenter, just before the Covid crisis took hold in March, 2019, that  helped her through the first lockdown, when of course she was unable to get around.

She explains that Eric worked for fifty years in a variety of jobs on the Thames, its tributaries and canals, which he got to know intimately: “Before I wrote about his life and career, he helped me with a series of articles on illustrations in The Thames from Chelsea to the Nore, 1907 by T.R. Way and W.G. Bell. He interpreted all kinds of details for me, such as why boats were moored in a particular way, and the direction of the tides.”

Interviewing curtailed during lockdown, Patricia photographed and wrote about its effects on the stretch of the river that she knows well between Westminster and Lambeth Bridges. She’s looking forward to going out for interviews again and to learning more about the Thames when it’s safe.

Read Patricia's blog here.

Four “angels” that keep the RNLI pontoon at Royal Terrace Pier safe ascended to the skies (10 December).

The quartet of heavy weights were lifted into the air by cranes aboard the Port of London Authority (PLA) vessel London Titan, to allow for the chains they are suspended from to be renewed.

Supervising the operation aboard London Titan was PLA skipper Keith Reynolds.

Keith said: “We were pleased to be able to help the RNLI out with this important piece of maintenance on their asset.

“Lifting each of the weights out individually took quite some time, but the operation went very smoothly.”

RNLI Gravesend’s Alan Carr said: ‘It is important Gravesend lifeboat is ready to launch at a moment’s notice, so having the pontoon working perfectly is really important in saving lives on this part of the Thames.

“We’re glad to see our four ‘angels’ will be keeping watch over us for some time to come!”

Public urged to look after one another on the river and its banks this yuletide

The combination of alcohol, drugs and activity on or by the tidal Thames is a recipe for Christmas and New Year misery.

That’s the message from the Port of London Authority (PLA), the organisation responsible for navigational safety on the river between Teddington and the coast, coinciding with the launch of the Royal Life Saving Society’s (RLSS) annual Don't Drink and Drown campaign (7 December).

RLSS research shows that over the past five years there have been over 1,400 accidental drownings across the UK. Over 30 per cent of victims were found to have alcohol or drugs in their bloodstream. Young men are one of the highest-risk groups.

Jenny Cooper, the PLA’s sports participation and community outreach manager, said: “Our reminder to everyone over the party season is please stay clear of water courses, if you’re under the influence, and make sure your friends get home safe too. Alcohol and drugs affect your decision-making ability, blur your senses, and impede the body’s ability to survive in the water."

Flowing at the speed of an Olympic swimmer, the Thames has a daily tidal rise and fall of seven metres.

The impact of ‘cold water shock’ also means that even the best swimmers can drown in the river in a matter of minutes at any time of year.

In addition, vessels, currents and hidden underwater objects endanger the lives of anyone who finds themselves in the river.

Jenny, who also chairs the multi-agency Tidal Thames Water Safety Forum, continued:

“After two lockdowns this year, many will be keen to enjoy the holiday season. The Thames is home to countless pubs and restaurants, and people may be tempted to take short-cuts home by the water’s edge. It’s important to remember, whether fast-flowing or still, cold water kills.”

Members of the public who spot people in difficulty in the river should call 999 and ask for the coastguard, rather than risk their own lives by entering the water.

#Don’tDrinkandDrown was launched in 2014, following a string of tragic drownings of young people. For more information on this year’s campaign, visit www.rlss.org.uk.

The Port of London Authority (PLA) and Thames Estuary Growth Board have welcomed the official opening of the Freeports competitive bidding process by the Government.

The partners say that a successful Thames Freeport bid would be transformational for community opportunity and economic development.

DP World and Forth Ports are finalising proposals for a Thames Freeport, with London Gateway, the Port of Tilbury and Ford's Dagenham engine plant at its heart.

The Thames Freeport bid is set to help meet priority targets, including: opportunities for levelling up deprived communities’ chances, with a focus on skills and training fit for a growing 21st century workforce; driving new largescale investment; and technical innovation around low carbon technology. Sectors encompassed in the bid will include advanced manufacturing, automotive and aerospace.

The PLA oversees operations on the Thames out to the North Sea, one of the UK’s major cargo handling hubs. Chief executive, Robin Mortimer commented:

“The Thames Freeport proposal will build on existing skills and expertise of internationally leading advanced manufacturing and logistics operations along the river. It will act as an innovation and clean growth hub across a range of sectors. With substantial development land available and global connections through port operations, the Thames Freeport is set to be a compelling proposition.”

For the Thames Estuary Growth Board, a successful Freeport bid is part of their action plan, ‘The Green Blue’, which sets out a vision to boost the local economy and unlock the regeneration potential of the Estuary. They have set out six criteria that were key to a successful bid across factors including: economic investment, innovation, environment, regeneration and community.

“I am delighted with the pace, intent and scope of the Thames Freeport bid,” said Chair of Thames Estuary Growth Board and Estuary Envoy, Kate Willard CBE. “This draws together and builds on the strengths of the estuary. The areas where the Growth Board is already innovating, for example around hydrogen, will see the clean, green innovation embedded at its heart, something which will make a difference to communities in terms of both quality of life and employment opportunity.”

A successful Freeport bid will support the Government’s levelling up agenda. Current unemployment rates in the Thurrock area, which is home to both the Port of Tilbury and London Gateway, are above the national average at 7%, and significantly higher in some areas of the unitary authority.

London Climate Action Week (16-20 November) has opened with the launch of Thames Green Scheme, a Port of London Authority (PLA) project, encouraging vessel operators to adopt more environmentally friendly practices.

Developed in partnership with vessel operators, applicants will be ranked in one of five tiers, from bronze, silver and gold, through to the highest ratings of diamond and platinum. Rankings will be based on their performance related to air quality, carbon emissions, energy use, water quality, litter and waste.

Veronica Chan, air quality adviser at the PLA, said: “We have introduced this new scheme to help the inland waterways community do their bit in achieving national Net Zero goals, improving air quality and reducing damaging carbon emissions.

“The rankings will recognise the early adopters of new technology and enable customers to make informed choices in the battle to combat climate change.”

Under the scheme, the PLA’s own fleet is set to earn a silver rating, a ranking aided by its investment in Leader, the UK’s first hybrid pilot cutter boat, which ferries its staff round the clock to and from visiting larger ships, to ensure their safe navigation up and down the river.

Driftwood II, a PLA vessel that retrieves litter and obstructions from the river, such as tree branches, is due early next year to be fitted with a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system, to cut nitrogen oxide emissions.

The PLA is also introducing facilities enabling its vessels to plug into onshore electrical supplies, rather than running their engines when alongside piers. This is one of the major changes the PLA is currently making as it expands Barrier Gardens Pier in Woolwich.

The Thames Green Scheme was previewed at the PLA’s recent Greening Inland Shipping webinar, attracting 150 delegates from around the world, where the company’s CEO Robin Mortimer stressed the need for urgency in delivering a Net Zero port: “There is no time to delay, we need to get on with it”, he said. “The imperative now is to build back better. “

Robin Mortimer added: “Thames Green Scheme is part of a package of things we have in place to support vessel operators including the roadmap for vessel emissions reduction.

“Our aim is to share best practice, support innovation and make sure the early adopters are recognised by passengers and logistics companies using the river.”

During the webinar (5 November), the PLA committed to cut carbon emissions by more than 60% by 2025 and achieve Net Zero by 2040.

Full details of the Thames Green Scheme are available on the PLA’s website

The Port of London Authority (PLA) has announced plans to more than halve its carbon emissions within five years and achieve Net Zero by 2040, or sooner.

PLA director of planning and environment, James Trimmer revealed the plans to more than 150 delegates who joined the PLA’s Greening Inland Shipping webinar today (Thursday, 5 November). Last year over 1,916 tonnes of carbon were generated by PLA operations, the vast majority from vessels performing essential duties including pilot transfers, river patrols, channel and mooring maintenance. The comprehensive plans for reducing and ultimately eliminating them were developed by a cross company team over the last ten months; the plans are part of a wider PLA strategy to improve environmental performance across air quality, climate change, biodiversity and resource use.

The initial phase of the plan will see emission cuts projected to exceed 60% by 2025, compared to the baseline year of 2014, when 2,054 tonnes of carbon were emitted. This will be centred on a programme of investment in the PLA vessel fleet including: the adoption of biofuel across the fleet, and – over the next five years – replacing two vessels with low emission alternatives. In addition, the PLA will switch its road vehicles to electric and all pilot taxis will be lower emission vehicles. Plans for a new sub-station at Denton will be developed, to cope with increased electrical demand. The fitting of Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) to four vessels, subject to successful completion of a trial, will further reduce nitrogen oxide emissions as part of the PLA Air Quality Strategy.

Work has already started. A successful trial using biofuel on one of the PLA river patrol vessels started late last year. The marine engineering team is now preparing for the fuel switch, installing biofuel tanks at PLA riverside bases. The PLA is adopting different engine technology too, with one of its Driftwood vessels set to be retrofitted with exhaust scrubbing equipment in a trial supported by the Mayor of London’s Clean Air Fund. Once this work is complete, the vessel is expected to be the cleanest on the river.

“Climate change, and the need for a swift energy transition in response, are pressing long-term issues facing us today,” commented James Trimmer. “This is about building long-term energy resilience – investment to ‘build back better’ from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Achieving Net Zero is a challenge to which organisations, including many of our industrial and maritime partners, customers and stakeholders are rising. Today we’re proud to share our outlook and comprehensive plans for achieving Net Zero by 2040 or earlier, if we can.

“We have developed a comprehensive plan, which delivers a major difference within the first five years, but the reductions will become harder after that. This is where innovation will need to step up a further gear, with options including: replacing the vessel fleet with zero emission alternatives as technology develops; renewable energy installations; saltmarsh restoration; biodiversity enhancement and carbon sequestration; and wildflower planting for biodiversity.”

Denise Rowley, senior advisor (environment & sustainability governance) at the PLA, added:

“Our goal is to achieve Net Zero by eliminating emissions through adopting and supporting the development of new technology and its applications. Offsetting is for us very much a last resort, although beneficial improvements to the marine environment, which have an offsetting benefit, are part of our wider agenda.”

Accelerated Net Zero commitments were found to be one of the key areas Great River Cities are actioning as they respond to the coronavirus, according to a snapshot survey of 16 global cities the PLA released last week.

In developing their longer-term Net Zero plans, the PLA will be looking at feasibility studies in a range of areas, including: aquaculture for carbon sequestration and green roofs. Studies which produce viable results will be taken forward for implementation.

The PLA is an environmental leader in the UK ports industry. First to develop and publish an evidence-based Air Quality Strategy in 2017, this summer they published the first roadmap for inland vessels emissions reduction.

As part of the latest Greening Inland Shipping webinar, the PLA also launched the new Thames Green Scheme, an initiative to help vessel operators on the river to benchmark performance and plan for its improvement over the long term. A ‘Thames Operators Scheme’ for the river, it will include five tiers of environmental endorsement, reflecting the performance of each vessel. More information on the Green Scheme can be found here.

PLA chief executive, Robin Mortimer, concluded:

“We are making our Net Zero commitment while we have the immediate challenge of working through the pandemic in front us. Our Net Zero plan, Thames Green Scheme and Air Quality Strategy are about supporting recovery and building back better for the long term.”

In 2019, the PLA was one of the first organisations to sign up to the Society for the Environment #PledgetoNetZero – a commitment requiring signatories to adopt science-based targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To sign the pledge the PLA had to demonstrate: commitment to a science-based carbon reduction target (SBT); include emissions from buildings and travel as a minimum; achieve the target reduction without the use of offsets; report the carbon footprint against the target year-on-year; and plan an active role in advancing industry progress towards a Net Zero carbon economy.

Engineer Bernard Watson is leading a new Port of London Authority (PLA) in-house team focussed on maintaining the southern river wall of the Thames between Kew and Putney.

He was appointed as general foreman in April, to lead the recruitment of the PLA’s upriver maintenance team, which will ensure all the company’s assets along the 5.5 mile stretch of the river’s Surrey bank are kept in good order.

For many years previous, the repair works have been contracted out on an ad-hoc basis.

One of the new team’s first tasks has been to fill in gaps in the riverside revetment by the towpath at the Stag Brewery in Mortlake, recycling fallen stonework retrieved from the river, wherever possible.

Over the summer, Bernard has worked with Wandsworth and Richmond councils to establish a new base for the team at Barn Elms Sports Centre.

Derek Maynard, who leads the PLA’s civil engineering team, said: “It makes sense for us to have a locally-based team with local knowledge doing this important work for us, as was the case in 1950s and 60s.

Cllr Julia Neden-Watts, Chair of Richmond Council’s Environment and Sustainability Committee, said: “Richmond upon Thames is famously the only London borough situated on both banks of the Thames and as such the river plays a huge part in our lives. It is very important to protect and maintain river walls in the borough and it is great to see a dedicated team set up by the PLA.”

Tree roots and general wear and tear are the main causes of damage to the revetments.

Bernard explained: “Sometimes it’s a challenge to get at the revetments through the vegetation, but it’s a job with the best views in the world.”

All the revetment repairs will respect Environment Agency and Marine Management Organisation requirements, including measures to maintain the existing river line.

The team’s remit does not include the towpath itself, which is managed by Richmond Council, as the highways authority.

The UK Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has confirmed the continued protection of strategic sites for port use on the banks of the Thames in London, after an extensive review process conducted by the Greater London Authority (GLA) and supported by the Port of London Authority (PLA).

Wharves on the Thames were first protected in 1997. Since then the initiative has become a well-established feature of planning in the capital and many millions of tonnes of materials have been handled through the sites, keeping countless heavy goods vehicles off London’s congested roads.

The deputy mayor for planning, regeneration and skills at City Hall, Jules Pipe CBE, received confirmation of the MHCLG secretary of state’s agreement with all of the recommendations included in the Implementation Report – Safeguarded Wharves Review 2018-2019 last month.

The review included a consolidation of wharf capacity in Thameside West that had been the subject of work between the GLA, PLA and the London Borough of Newham, an area that is set to see significant development in the next few years. The consolidation results in the creation of a new safeguarded wharf, Royal Primrose Wharf, located immediately downstream of Peruvian Wharf and an increase in the area’s capacity to handle waterborne freight.

Commenting, deputy mayor, Jules Pipe, said:

“This is very welcome news. The Thames is a key part of London’s strategic transport infrastructure. Protecting the wharves ensures that the essential ‘slip roads’ on and off this uncongested marine superhighway are retained. As we continue building a more resilient and sustainable city for the future, it’s essential that we make better use of the river on which London was founded.”

MHCLG officials are continuing to work with officers from the GLA and will be producing updated Directions for the wharves on the basis of the Implementation Report’s recommendations.

The PLA has advised the Mayor of London on the safeguarding of wharves since planning powers were transferred to City Hall in 2000. In recent years they have invested more than £10 million in the acquisition and reactivation of wharves in London. Peruvian Wharf bought in 2016 is now back in use for the movement of building materials after more than 17 years of legal wrangles and the adjacent Royal Primrose Wharf, bought in 2019 is set to come back into use in the next 18 months.

PLA director of planning & environment, James Trimmer, said:

“Safeguarding wharves is a key policy for London. The Thames offers an unfettered, low carbon route to move goods and materials in and out of the capital. Confirmation of the continued safeguarding of these sites comes at a time when the river renaissance is stepping up another gear. The established movement of bulk materials is now complemented by the first river parcel service, being operated by DHL, and the planned consolidation of the City markets to Barking will provide a generational opportunity to make more use of the river for light freight. Innovation will continue as we transition to a zero-carbon future.”

The PLA is working with partners including the GLA to secure greater use of the river for moving freight, as set out in Thames Vision development framework launched in July 2016.

In 2019, 4.769 million tonnes of freight were moved between terminals on the Thames, equivalent to more than 200,000 HGV loads. River operations were resilient through the COVID-19 lockdown, with Cory Riverside Energy continuing to move London’s waste to their energy from waste facility at Belvedere. River operations serving the construction of the Thames Tideway Tunnel were among the first to resume.

Robin Mortimer, chief executive of the Port of London Authority (PLA), heralds the role a resurgent Thames can play in restoring prosperity, post the COVID pandemic.

Bankside Pier, in the shadow of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, this morning provides a welcome reason to be positive in these uncertain times.

It’s the terminal for an innovative daily service, launched today by DHL Express, ferrying parcels into the centre of town by boat for ‘final-mile’ delivery by pedal bikes.

It’s a double dose of good news, boosting both the economy and the environment.

Following a DHL model successfully rolled out in Venice, packages will be loaded on to the river at Wandsworth from electric vehicles and sped into town along the Thames, reducing congestion and pollution.

"Ever since Roman times, the river has been fundamental to the city’s global economic success. Over the centuries, use of the river has regularly adapted to changing circumstances.

It’s no different today.

Happily, a raft of other initiatives is set to accelerate the river’s latest resurgence.

The fast-approaching completion of the Thames Tideway Tunnel (aka London’s “super sewer”) will restore water quality in the river to levels not seen since before the Industrial Revolution. Along with its first phase, the Lee Tunnel, already in operation, and Crossrail, the Tideway project has clearly demonstrated the feasibility of using the river for the transportation of construction materials. It’s a template all future infrastructure projects on the river should replicate.

None of this has happened by chance. It’s taken years of planning.

I am particularly proud of the PLA’s work over more than two decades to safeguard piers on the tidal Thames.

Close liaison with central government and the GLA means they are now integral to the long-term London Plan.

Recent PLA investment has re-activated both Peruvian Wharf and Primrose Wharf in Newham, part of a strategy which has already taken more than 200,000 HGVs off the capital’s roads.

Discussion are in hand to repeat this success elsewhere along the river. They include opportunities to establish west London’s first inland container terminal.

Another welcome catalyst will be the City of London Corporation’s relocation eastwards of Smithfield, Billingsgate and New Spitalfields markets.

The planned creation by Forth Ports and DP World of a freeport in the estuary would be a further significant catalyst.

From Barnes and Bankside, all the way to Barking and beyond, the renaissance of the river is real.

Through close collaboration with all our partners, including the newly-established Thames Estuary Growth Board, we are determined to maximise the potential benefits for all.

The Port of London Authority (PLA) is helping people find out where they can make a difference to the condition of the Thames foreshore with a new website, Cleaning the Thames, showing planned clean-ups.

The new website’s interactive map aims to encourage more litter removal across the tidal Thames foreshore. It will connect people keen to volunteer with upcoming clean-up events and provide a central hub for the storage of data about the rubbish collected. Individuals collecting litter can also record their picks on the website’s homepage.

The website has been launched after communities along the Thames sought out the river as a place to relax during the COVID-19 lockdown and wanted to do something about the accumulations of litter they encountered.

Event organisers can create an account on the website and set up litter pick events along the Thames. All events on the foreshore need a permit from the PLA. The website allows organisers to enter their event details online so the PLA can review and approve them from a safety perspective. Members of the public can view events on the interactive river map, book onto them and, most importantly, start litter picking and cleaning up the foreshore of the Thames safely.

Organisations such as Thames 21 will list their litter picking events on the site.

Emily McLean, the PLA’s technical advisor on water quality said:

“The River Thames is home to an abundance of thriving wildlife; however, the last half century has also seen the river become filled with ever increasing quantities of litter. A recent study carried out in partnership with Durham University found that single-use items constitute approximately 60% of the debris accumulating in the PLA’s passive driftwood collectors.

“People are working hard to ensure their riverside beauty spots are clear of litter. This website will help co-ordinate and target litter picking and improve the environment for everyone.”

The Cleaning the Thames website will help event organisers see where clean-ups are being planned, meaning clean-ups can be undertaken in areas not cleared previously and maximising the impact of these efforts. Having a clear overall picture will enable the PLA to support litter clean-up efforts in some locations by providing cages into which the rubbish collected can be put and collected for disposal.

You can visit the new website via this link: cleaningthethames.pla.co.uk

The website launch complements the PLA’s wider work cleaning the river. Their driftwood service recovers more than 200 tonnes of rubbish from the Thames every year – including last year a record 71 trolleys from a single site. The PLA is also the principal backer of the Cleaner Thames campaign which encourages people to bin their rubbish to help keep it out of the Thames.