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

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• Newham College occupies the former Thames House that was used by the PLA
to service buoys and other marine equipment; and
• the site is in public ownership.
5.10 There are, however, a number <strong>of</strong> significant constraints:
• the 6 metre building height would constrain the usefulness <strong>of</strong> buildings;
• there would be restrictions on the use <strong>of</strong> cranes;
• the LDA is proposing residential development on the southwest side <strong>of</strong> Gallions
Marina creating a waterfront view into the marine employment site (see Figure
5.2). The SPG also proposes a bridge that would sever the existing basin in the
marina that could provide a useful covered wet dock; and
• the LDA has advised that it is unlikely to be possible to find a relocation site for
Newham College.
5.11 It is beyond the scope <strong>of</strong> this study to do much more than identify the
opportunities on this site and to make some very general indications as to what could
be provided here. In the course <strong>of</strong> our research we have obtained the following
observations about the site.
• It would be possible to create a facility large enough for the longest Thames
Clipper (38 metres length x 9.6 metres beam) but not the Silver Sturgeon <strong>of</strong>
Woods River Cruises (61 metres x 13.4 metres).
• Sean Collins <strong>of</strong> Thames Clippers has advised that UKAE, the designers <strong>of</strong> the
Thames Clippers, has looked at Gallions Point Marina with a view to establishing
modern marine repair facilities there. However, the firm appears to have been
unaware <strong>of</strong> the possible availability <strong>of</strong> land fronting the Thames that forms part
<strong>of</strong> the Newham College site.
• One way <strong>of</strong> overcoming the height restriction may be to create a covered
slipway dry dock that is partly dug into the ground.
• The PLA has endorsed the concept <strong>of</strong> improved facilities in this location
suggesting that a hoist dock and travel hoist rather than a dry dock slipway
would provide better flexibility in the use <strong>of</strong> the site.
Eric Miller <strong>of</strong> Gallions Point Marina has said that he would have no objection to
the reconfiguration <strong>of</strong> the land-based facilities on the marina site that includes
an existing maintenance workshop. Generally London City Airport seeks to
restrict height <strong>of</strong> cranes to 15 metres but can go up to 17 metres. Relationships
with London City Airport are very good. The Marina always contacts LCR before
the use <strong>of</strong> cranes and LCR always gives approval. (See Appendix 5).
• the East London Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has advised that the Newham
College site provides construction training through John Laing Training, a third
party provider. This is not the preferred method <strong>of</strong> provision as far as the LSC is
concerned. Such contracts are generally reviewed on a regular basis. Barking
College opened a new building for construction training in 2002. The LSC could
organise marine skills training through Newham College subject to funding.
5.12 Two options are set out to indicate how the site could be used. Figure 5.3
shows an arrangement comprising a draw dock slipway, wet dock and floating dry
dock. Figure 5.4 shows an arrangement comprising a hoist dock, hardstanding and
wet dock. Neither option strictly conforms to the Royal Albert Basin SPG because
that document seeks to use the waterfront areas on the south west side <strong>of</strong> Gallions
Point Marina to add value to residential development by providing a water frontage.
However, for the allocation <strong>of</strong> 8.600 square metres <strong>of</strong> marine industry to be a viable
proposition it would be necessary to have facilities to enable vessels to be moved
into the proposed workshops.
<strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Boatyard</strong> <strong>Facilities</strong> on the River Thames Adams Hendry Consulting Ltd - April 2007