Lower Thames Speed Limit now 12knts

Was alerted by a mate who had seen a news article stating that a 12 knt speed limit has now been introduced effectively from the barrier to Wandsworth.

Spoke to the PLA who confirmed.

Thames River Trips less fun from now.

:@

David

Tower to the barrier is certainly going to be tedious. I wonder if the PLA will grant any waivers?

John

Presumably prompted by Jeremy Clarkson thrashing past the houses of parliament at 45 knots with a big grin on his face........

.....a loophole like that was bound to be closed sooner or later.

I remember when I worked in oil being ferried from Waterloo to Docklands in Texaco's company hovercraft at 30 knots...that was quite a laugh.

Another victory for the funsucker. Why not just ban all outboards over 10hp and be done with it.:@

when did this come in to force?? as we were out on the lower Thames on new years day, and there are no signs about speed limits until you get to wandsworth bridge, and the police boats didn't tell us to slow down. All the other commercial operators where still going about their trips and were going over 12 knots.

Had a look on the PLA website as well, and there is nothing publicised on there either. I cant believe that they have not advertised it and just brought it in to force!!!

When did you speak to the PLA rads????

About 09.00 today.

Got the impression it was a bit new to them too.

David

a news article here:-
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23430370-details/Commuters+angry+as+river+speed+limit+is+halved/article.do
It reads to me like amybe it is a guideline only, because the article suggests the old limit was 24 knots, but there used to be no limit below Wandsworth bridge, and I was not stopped for doing 40knots on the few occasions I have had the pleasure to cruise down the Thames

We were doing a good 40 knots past the houses of Parliament the other day and as laser said the police didn't batt an eyelid.

Thank you for your recent query regarding a new speed limit on the tidal Thames.

I can confirm that recent media reports relate to a temporary requirement for certain high-speed passenger vessels to adhere to a 12 knot speed limit in central London.

In the wider context, the PLA has, with the active involvement of vessel operators, recently undertaken a comprehensive formal risk assessment to identify what additional risk control measures we need to consider to ensure that the risks to public safety and general navigation posed by the operation of increasing numbers of high-speed vessels in central London are managed to 'as low as reasonably practicable'.

One such identified risk control measure is the implementation of a mandatory speed limit in central London.
As such, the PLA is currently drafting revisions to its Byelaws, which include such a mandatory speed limit.
In line with long established procedures, the PLA will be consulting widely among the port and River community on its draft Byelaw proposals. We hope to start the informal consultation process in the next month or so.

Details of the consultation and our proposals will be published on the PLA website in due course.



Julian Parkes
Harbour Master (Safety Management System)
Port of London Authority

Tel: 01474 562266

OK, that sounds a bit more reasonable. We need to make sure that we respond when this goes out to consultation . . .

John

I can confirm that recent media reports relate to a temporary requirement for certain high-speed passenger vessels to adhere to a 12 knot speed limit in central London.


So by the time they've finished the consultation, the commuter traffic on the river will be dead. More people back on the tube and roads.

And how many accidents on the river have been caused by speed? Probably same as the roads...bugger all.

We're back to the "Speed kills" idiocy again. Sheer genius, PLA. :mad:

at least it is only passenger vessels at the moment, so welcome news to some extent (why do the press mis-report it???) and they do not say what the limit will be for pleasure craft if they bring in the new byelaws, it could be something more reasonable than 12 knots. I prefer no limit at all, but if you ahev to have a limit, make it sensible, 12 knots will not allow most pleasure boats to even stay on the plane.

GRRR SEETH FUME!!! When will this bloody government leave anything alone??? What about the people operating the Quinquari RIBs as a viable business on the Thames? It actually attracts tourists to London. A RIB at 12 kts isn't exactly the most esciting way to see London is it???

Sorry if I am being political JK but politics does seem to have an impact on our lives from time to time................

And I wonder what the wake will be like from a large planing craft forced to travel at 12kts...................

We would normally advise the River community of changes to our regulations by Notices to Mariners and via the website.
Unfortunately, I cannot say with any certainty when the revised byelaws will be confirmed by the Secretary of State, but it is likely to be the autumn at least.

GRRR SEETH FUME!!! When will this bloody government leave anything alone???
Which government? the PLA (and the majority of its board) are not elected and not funded by either local or national government.

Which government? the PLA (and the majority of its board) are not elected and not funded by either local or national government.


It is the Government who have created this whole ethos of meddling and interfering that is know as the "Nanny State"!!!

Also when the LAW is passed you will find it's the government who are responsible.........

This was covered on the local Thames news last night lots of unhappy people on the river bus who have had there travel time doubled but i missed the whole report.

Hi
Yes terrible news -
we have done a Thames/london run for the past 3 years. It is one of the very best trips to do.

The important thing that JK Noted is that there is a consultation. If John can coordinate at imput from RibNet. I will speak to BIBOA the Rib Club and see if they are prepared to get involved and also add their weight to this.

Paul

This was covered on the local Thames news last night lots of unhappy people on the river bus who have had there travel time doubled but i missed the whole report.

On this page: http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/tv/television/latest_stories/index.shtml

On the same page... apparently I now live in Barnét.. :D :D

Thats a shame, we had planned to do a trip from the solent up to the thames this spring, sort of takes the edge off it, Mr Clacksons wave across to the harbour master on TV didnt help i am sure, wonder if you can make an application and what criteria they may have to get any dispensation?

apparently I now live in Barnét.. :D :D

Are so its you whos been out on the town with the spray cans :)

<snip>
I can confirm that recent media reports relate to a temporary requirement for certain high-speed passenger vessels to adhere to a 12 knot speed limit in central London.
<snip>
Julian Parkes
Harbour Master (Safety Management System)
Port of London Authority

Tel: 01474 562266

Not us then? Only some of the commercial boats. Jolly good.

David

New speed limits in central London04-Jan-08


The Port of London Authority (PLA) has introduced a speed limit for fast passenger craft operating in central London. Such vessels are now restricted to a maximum speed of 12 knots in central London and also in the area near Greenwich Pier.

This measure is to help ensure continued high safety standards on the River. We have made this precautionary move, after a thorough risk assessment, because of a significant increase in the number of fast passenger vessels on the Thames. In recent months new vessels have started operating new services on new routes and leisure operators have introduced new tourist related high speed trips.

In addition, we will shortly propose the introduction of a strict speed limit of 12 knots in central London for all types of craft. This will support the existing 8 knot speed limit above Wandsworth. We will shortly begin consulting on this new mandatory speed limit which will apply to all privately owned recreational and leisure craft and all commercial vessels.

Subject to a full consultation, we anticipate this new, permanent speed limit will come into force during 2008. Details of the consultation and our proposals will be published on the PLA website soon.


Unfortunately, it sounds like it will encompass everyone, (Well done Clarkson!). I hope that it is merely between the bridges (where I can kind of see the safety issue) and not all the way downriver to Greenwich (where I cannot).

t

This has been under consideration for quite a time and had absolutely nothing to do with the recent Top Gear programme.

The operations of London Rib Voyages and it's more recent offshoot Flying Fish jet boat tours have focused the minds of the authorities about the wisdom of not having a speed limit downstream of Wandsworth Bridge.

It was always inevitable and of no surprise to those of us based on the river.

The class 5 passenger vesssel speed limitations was probably accelerated after a muppet helming a jet boat dropped the wrong bucket and rammed one of arches on Albert Bridge whilst carrying passengers.

This has been under consideration for quite a time and had absolutely nothing to do with the recent Top Gear programme.

The operations of London Rib Voyages and it's more recent offshoot Flying Fish jet boat tours have focused the minds of the authorities about the wisdom of not having a speed limit downstream of Wandsworth Bridge.

It was always inevitable and of no surprise to those of us based on the river.

The class 5 passenger vesssel speed limitations was probably accelerated after a muppet helming a jet boat dropped the wrong bucket and rammed one of arches on Albert Bridge whilst carrying passengers.

Just got back from london and used the clipper from the dome to tower bridge, and it was definetly going faster than 12k


Mark

This sounds like Windemere all over again. A very tiny minority trust dictating to the majority wether they like it or not. yes there will be a consulatation period etc etc but their minds are already made up.

As with Windemere it will cut tourism and endanger people's livelihoods but they aren't going to care about that.............

Well....

The Thames run will certainly be made a lot less fun by these new rules. I hate to think how London Rib Voyages willl be affected; they currently run 4 twin engine ribs on the upper Thames, and as Codders says no-one is going to want to pay loads of money to go out on a rib when its going along at jogging pace!

IMHO a massive blow to boating on the Thames. :mad:

This has been under consideration for quite a time and had absolutely nothing to do with the recent Top Gear programme.

The operations of London Rib Voyages and it's more recent offshoot Flying Fish jet boat tours have focused the minds of the authorities about the wisdom of not having a speed limit downstream of Wandsworth Bridge.

It was always inevitable and of no surprise to those of us based on the river.

The class 5 passenger vesssel speed limitations was probably accelerated after a muppet helming a jet boat dropped the wrong bucket and rammed one of arches on Albert Bridge whilst carrying passengers.

My understanding that this has very little to do with the Rib companies and is down to a poor safety record from the larger passenger vessels, that i will not name!
My contact on the inside, ;last night, made it clear that this was the reason.
Whilst it will have an impact on all passanger vessels it is aimed at the larger boats as they, by all accounts, are not very good!
Whilst ramming a ache is one thing, turning off your moaring and running over a police rib will do nothing for your safety record!!!! Even more so if you claim to not have seen it!

So why not just legislate against the company concerned - they could make it a condition of their operators licence. Why should we ALL suffer???

turning off your moaring and running over a police rib will do nothing for your safety record

What speed were they doing if they were just off the mooring?

Anyway, whatever the speed, failing to keep a proper lookout is an offence anyway, so just do them for that and leave the skilled alone...

From what I have heard, the PLA arn't very keen on Ribs and the use of large fast ribs on the Thames has been a bit of a thorn in the side of their power as the MCA rules let them be used without thames watermen!


From personal work on the thames certain boats on the Thames have been causing huge wake that claim to be wake free and the PLA want to stamp this out!