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Removal of Aids to Navigation in the Port of London
Consultation C04-23
Consultation Statement: C04-23
Removal of Aids to Navigation in the Port of London
This consultation ran from 17/05/2023 to 16/06/2023. The below statement has been provided to summarise the Port of London Authority’s (PLA) initial response.
This consultation, which was open to public response for 30 days, received one response - which was in favour of the proposals.
The PLA has now consulted with the General Lighthouse Authority, Trinity House, as prescribed in the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, who have agreed to the proposed changes.
The PLA will now work with berth, terminal and pier owners/operators to implement the removals. These removals will be promulgated as appropriate.
Cathryn Spain,
Senior Harbour Master
Removal of Aids to Navigation in the Port of London
Consultation C04-23
1. Introduction
1.1. Mariners and practitioners will know that the extremities of jetties, berths, piers and other river works in the tidal Thames are marked with navigation lights (pairs of vertical red or green lights) to assist and inform navigation in the Port.
1.2. The Port of London Authority, as the Local Lighthouse Authority, in conjunction with Trinity House (the General Lighthouse Authority) has undertaken a review of the need for these navigation lights in the port, as part of a wider review of all aids to navigation.
1.3. This consultation applies to all areas within the jurisdiction of the Port of London Authority1.
1.4. Over time, jetties, wharves and piers have changed use, been closed or have been demolished and new structures built. In some cases, it is apparent that the value of some of the remaining navigation lights on some of these structures is at best questionable and in some cases of no value to mariners at all. The number of pairs of these navigation lights in the port currently exceeds 800, and it is likely that some can now reasonably be discontinued.
1.5. Commercial and recreational river users are therefore asked to consider the areas of the ports with which they are familiar and to provide feedback on specific locations (pairs of lights) where they feel the current shore navigation lights are of little or no value to mariners and practitioners and could be safely discontinued.
2. The Consultation Process
Affected Parties
2.1. This consultation is directed towards commercial and recreational river users who are familiar with their area of operations.
Consultation Duration
2.2. This consultation is now open and will last for 30 days. It will close on 16th June 2023.
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) and reference the paragraph number for any specific comments.
