The Mayor's Ambient Noise Strategy - Greater London Authority

152 Mayor of London
The Mayor’s Ambient Noise Strategy
terms of freight access to and from wharves. The Government announced
in November 2000 that it would sponsor an inland waterways freight
study group 1 . National policy on inland waterways is set out in
‘Waterways for Tomorrow’ 2 . The Mayor’s Transport Strategy seeks
examination of measures to make better use of the River Thames and
other navigable waterways for freight as well as passengers.
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The Mayor will, and Boroughs, the Port of London Authority, British
Waterways, the Environment Agency and others with responsibilities for
London’s Blue Ribbon Network should, seek to minimise the adverse
impacts of noise on, from, within or in the vicinity of water spaces, while
promoting sustainable uses, including for passenger services, freight,
leisure, and as eco-systems.
4D.4 Issues involved in noise management on London’s navigable waterways
include powering of craft; tourist and party boats, piers and moorings;
wharves, boatyards and waterside planning; and water and waterside
tranquillity. The scale and nature of issues and solutions can vary widely,
particularly between the Thames and other waterways. Competing
objectives, such as leisure and recreation, heritage, freight transport, and
regeneration, need to be balanced.
Powering of craft
4D.5 Many of the Port of London Authority’s freight facilities are now outside
the administrative boundary of London. However, the River Thames still
has an important role in carrying freight to and from the city. Three
million people travel on the Thames each year. The propulsion systems of
modern passenger and leisure craft have generally become quieter. Large
marine engines generate noise at low frequencies which can be difficult
fully to contain. Modern hull designs are generally more efficient than in
the past, offering less drag, and creating less wash. The four miles per
hour speed limit on London’s canals means wash is rarely an issue there.
Electric charging points have been provided by British Waterways, the
Environment Agency and others to encourage the use of electric boats.
River craft may be early users of new, quiet technologies such as fuel
cells. Small fast craft, such as jet skis, mini-hovercraft and leisure
powerboats, can be disproportionately noisy. Noise management criteria
will need to vary for different water spaces.
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The Mayor will encourage the development and use of quiet propulsion
and power systems for vessels using London’s rivers and canals. This will
include promoting fuel cells for water craft through the London Hydrogen
Partnership, and wider availability of electric boats and charging points.