Proposed Submission: Gravesham Local Plan Core Strategy

Embankment and Swanscombe Peninsula East Opportunity Area) indicatesthat there are opportunities for providing multi-modal alternatives to roadtransport for the movement of freight in the Borough. The Borough Councilsupports the transfer of freight from roads to waterways and railways.5.5.22 Gravesham's location on the River Thames means that river transporthas historically been important. There are a number of deep water wharveson the riverside at Gravesend and Northfleet. The emerging Kent Mineralsand Waste Development Plan proposes that a number of strategic wharves inGravesham are safeguarded, protecting them from development which couldprejudice their future use for minerals importation. There are also a number ofsmaller wharves in the Borough. The safeguarding of wharves is supported bythe Borough Council in general terms to enable river freight handling and toreduce dependence on road and rail freight transport. However, the BoroughCouncil considers that a more flexible approach to Red Lion Wharf is requiredto enable the key regeneration objectives for Northfleet Embankment EastRegeneration Area to be achieved. The policy on Northfleet Embankment andSwanscombe Peninsula East Opportunity Area gives priority to theregeneration of Northfleet Embankment East Regeneration Area over theexisting use.5.5.23 Gravesend's Town Pier has been restored and a pontoon has recentlybeen installed. The regular passenger ferry service across the river fromGravesend to Tilbury now operates from the new pontoon. It is recognisedthat there may be opportunities to further develop river based transport toprovide longer distance passenger services to the Docklands and centralLondon and to provide greater opportunities for leisure trips. The Council willsupport such proposals.5.5.24 The Council's Tourism Strategy (2009) indicates that there is potentialfor cruise liner provision on the Gravesham stretch of the Thames to helpbring visitors into the area which would further improve the local economy.The Council will support provision for cruise liners in the Borough.147