Kings Reach - Blackfriars Tideway Construction Works

This Notice supersedes and replaces M85-23, which is hereby cancelled.

Mariners are advised that contractors working on the Tideway Tunnel Project will continue works to construct the permanent embankment structure, just upriver of Blackfriars Bridge. These works are expected to continue until Summer 2025. 

The chartlet below depicts the locations of the marine plant and barges (in red) and the exclusion zone (in yellow).   

No vessels, other than those engaged in the works or who have permitted vessel status, shall enter the navigation exclusion zone. 

The works which will include dredging, diving, rock placement and back filling operations to install scour protection and will be carried out using a spudded crane barge and supply barges, tugs and multi-cat vessels. The vessels will maintain a listening watch on VHF channel 14. 

No 1 arch remains closed during construction operations and will be marked in accordance with the Port of London Authority Thames Byelaws 2012 namely:  

• By day, three red discs 0.6 metres in diameter at the points of an equilateral triangle with the apex downwards and the base horizontal 
• By night, three red lights in similar positions to the discs displayed by day. 

A smart signal light is fitted above no 2 arch of Blackfriars Rail Bridge.  

The smart signal light will be controlled remotely by London VTS and will display signals with their meanings as described below.  

At times, requests for vessels to proceed with caution or pass at slow speed will be made by London VTS on VHF ch.14, in accordance with the Port of London Authority’s Port Information Guide, under ‘London VTS’, section 4. International Code Flags ‘Romeo Yankee (RY)’ will be displayed accordingly.  

 In addition, if diving operations are underway, International Code Flag ‘Alpha (A)’ and a red flag in accordance with Byelaw 33 will be displayed as appropriate: 

Vessels are requested to be mindful of the nature of the works, to be aware of vessels proceeding to and from the works and of their wash when passing the works. 

Further details will be broadcast by London VTS on VHF Channel 14. 

This Notice should be read in conjunction with M67-24 and M75-24.