Assessment of Boatyard Facilities on the River Thames - Mayor of ...

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Table 5.1
The key boatyards in Greater London used by passenger boat operators and
waste operators
<strong>Boatyard</strong>
(4) TMP Marine, Platts Eyot,
Hampton
(11) Francis H Newham,
(Shipyards), Swan Island,
Twickenham
(14) Eel Pie Slipways, Eel Pie
Island, Twickenham
(21) Colliers Dry Dock, Isleworth
(22) B J Wood Dry Docks,
Isleworth
(34) Thames Craft Dry Docking
Services Ltd.
Greenwich
(36) Cory Barge Works,
Charlton
Comment
Terrace Hill Developments submitted a planning
application for 74 dwellings on adjoining industrial
land in February 2005.
A good quality facility that was modernised prior to
the study in 2000. Limited to vessels up to 21
metres in length and 40 tonnes in weight.
Currently can take vessels up to 42.6 metres x 5.8
metres and 100 tonnes in weight. The double
slipway could be adapted to take a single catamaran
– type vessel but the owners consider that there is
not a robust enough business case to do so.
Planning permission obtained from Hounslow
Council in 2003 to ro<strong>of</strong> this floating dry dock but not
yet implemented. Currently can take vessels up to
39.6 metres x 7.9 metres. There was objection from
residential neighbours to last increase in size <strong>of</strong> dry
dock.
No change except for neighbour objection restricting
range and timing <strong>of</strong> operations that can be carried
out. Currently can take vessels up to 26 metres x 6
metres
There is a S106 obligation in relation to development
at Lovell’s Wharf to relocate the dry dock to Bay
Wharf. Currently the maximum dimensions are 57.5
metres x 19.2 metres. There is an opportunity to
secure improvements in including a dry dock capable
<strong>of</strong> docking a 61 metres x 21 metres vessel. It is also
likely that the dry docks would be ro<strong>of</strong>ed.
Currently undertakes a significant amount <strong>of</strong> work
for third party operators because facilities are too
small for many <strong>of</strong> Cory’s own craft. Currently the dry
dock slipways are limited to 30.4 metres length x 7
metres beam. Cory has a draft scheme to rebuild
the dry dock slipways to take larger vessels that are
used for freight towage. This could reduce the
capacity that the bargeworks currently <strong>of</strong>fers for third
party owned passenger craft.
A site for a new boatyard to maintain passenger boats, support vessels and
river piers
5.5 Our view is that simply seeking to protect existing facilities will not ensure
that there is adequate additional capacity to meet the maintenance requirements <strong>of</strong>
Thames based passenger boats, tugs and barges. This is due to the combination <strong>of</strong>
the growing numbers and size <strong>of</strong> vessels and the physical constraints that existing
boatyards have that limit opportunities to expand. We recommend that the Greater
London Authority seeks to identify a site for a new boatyard to serve the
maintenance needs <strong>of</strong> larger passenger vessels, piers (principally those operated by
London River Services) and support vessels. Ideally this site should be located within
Greater London to minimise the travel time to the facility, in particular for emergency
inspection and repairs. Possible sites in Greater London include:
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Boatyard</strong> <strong>Facilities</strong> on the River Thames Adams Hendry Consulting Ltd - April 2007