Lower Thames Speed Limit now 12knts

[rads]

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

[John Kennett]

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

John

[bernithebiker]

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.

[geoff]

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

[laser]

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????

[rads]

About 09.00 today.

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

David

[Neil Harvey]

a news article here:-
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standa...ved/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

[Tim M]

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.

[Bern Hanreck]

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

[John Kennett]

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

John