14.11.2011

London River Park

The River Park is proposed for the busiest part of the river, which is particularly difficult to navigate as it is narrow, complicated with a series of bridges and a strong tidal flow of up to five miles an hour.

This area is used by all types of vessels from 2,000-tonne barge trains to large passenger vessels, narrow boats to kayaks.  Putting a new structure in this area would increase the difficulty of navigating safely.  It would narrow the river upstream of HMS Belfast, potentially doubling the height of waves and increasing the speed of the river flow. 

The developer's own risk assessment identifies the risk of the River Park being hit by barges, an issue that remains unresolved.  Work also remains to be done to ensure that further growth of freight and passenger traffic is not held back and that the City's waste transfer operation - which sees all of their waste moved by river - can continue efficiently.

As a result, the PLA will discuss further with the developer to see if it is possible to resolve these key issues.