Lower Thames Speed Limit now 12knts

[philb]

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?

[Neal]

Originally Posted by Rich L

apparently I now live in Barnét..

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

[rads]

Originally Posted by Bern Hanreck

<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

[Tideway]

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

[timw]

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.

[mark-f]

Originally Posted by timw

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

[codprawn]

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.............

[Tim M]

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.

[Jon Brooks]

Originally Posted by timw

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!

[codprawn]

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

[havener]

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...

[hurricane]

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!