construction aggregates further up the river, thus reducing pressure on the congested road network. The MPA therefore generally supports the Emerging Goals that are identified in the Thames Vision document. In particular we support the Goal 2.1 for the Port of London to be ‘the busiest ever Port of London, handling 60 – 80 million tonnes of cargo each year, on the doorstep of Europe’s biggest metropolitan consumer market.’ The minerals industry will be one of the sectors which provides the ‘sustained private sector investment’ that is sought, and will require the PLA to provide support in enabling it to maintain and expand operations and safeguard existing sites from direct loss and encroachment, and also from operational constraints resulting from inappropriate development taking place nearby. We also generally support the Goal 2.2 for inland freight and to have ‘more goods and materials moved between wharves on the river’. However, we are disappointed at the apparent lack of ambition in this Goal, particularly compared to the overall one for the growth of the Port, as it only seeks to maintain the status quo of the tonnage carried by water in 2014. The goal should be to increase this amount, in line with the wider Goal for the Port, and be reflected in the target proposed to be included in the Concordat. The actions to deliver the Goals obviously are critical. Again, a lack of ambition is demonstrated in only seeking the re-activation of three wharves over the next 10 years. The Vision should be seeking to reactivate as many wharves as possible, and some in a shorter timescale, in conjunction with industry including the minerals companies, to enable delivery of a more ambitious goal. Our members are experiencing significant growth in demand and are looking for opportunities to expand operations significantly. Additional actions are also required to deliver these Goals. Some BMAPA members have highlighted difficulties in securing Pilotage Exemption Certificates following the widened scope under the Marine Navigation Act 2013, which extends the eligibility to hold a PEC to any deck officer. Unfortunately, the examination process PLA (as the competent harbour authority) have introduced makes it more difficult to secure these. In the absence of sufficient PECs, vessels are required to take a pilot to navigate up to their berth. However, with insufficient pilots available to support the number of vessel movements required on each tide (6 pilots for 26 vessel movements on one occasion), there is evidence that aggregate dredgers are increasingly being overlooked in favour of larger vessels. This
support sustainable measures to reduce congestion. LBN would therefore like to raise these points and to ensure sustainable development is achieved and for LBN to be kept informed on this progress. London Borough of Tower Hamlets Tower Hamlets Council is keen to cooperate with the Port of London Authority and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that the River Thames is valued as an important asset and being promoted for its passenger, recreational tourism and freight uses. It’s also important that consideration is given for the natural environment, water quality and restoration of water spaces. Tower Hamlets Council supports the overall approach set out in the consultation document. Tower Hamlets Council has commenced work to prepare a new Local Plan since 2015. The emerging 20-year Development Framework for the river will be a key evidence to support development of the Local Plan policies. In order that the new Local Plan is effective and compliant with national planning policy and guidance, the Council will seek assistance form your organisation during the preparation of the draft Plan in 2016. Therefore, we would welcome the opportunity to be more closely involved in any discussions around the emerging Framework. In particular, we would like to have better understanding of the commissioned evidence studies and the implications to Tower Hamlets and its neighbouring boroughs. Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea The four main issues covered within the Context section are: the population growth of London, the Thames Tideway Tunnel project which will clean the Thames, the effects of climate change and the fact that growing river use has to be achieved with high levels of safety. These are all very relevant issues which will affect Londoners now and in the future. However, the Council considers that the document has not addressed all these issues fully for the reasons given later on in this response. The Port of London trade forecasts, to the year 2035 paper (referred to in pages 5 and 11 of the consultation document) show different results for different types of cargo. It seems that trade will grow for export/import of vehicles, aggregates and cement, intra and inter port trade. Petroleum products and other cargoes (combination of individual forecasts of a number of dry bulk, liquid bulks and general cargoes) show variations between increased
Probably Other Goals and Priority Actions Needed? More user friendly mooring facilities for private leisure boaters. Response No.36 On Monday I spoke to a group of primary school children doing some work on the Thames Path in Fulham - many questions and a lot of interest, but when I asked how many had sailed on the river,only a few hands went up. This led me to think about the educational/learning aspect relating to the river and I couldn't find any reference in the Vision consultation papers. There is a section on Community and Culture, but the emphasis is on adult visitors - no mention of children or education. Are we missing an opportunity here? We want Londoners to appreciate the river and what it offers, we encourage participation in water sports and visitors to ""cultural sites"", but I would argue that it's important to start doing this at an early age - through education. There are a number of bodies with educational remits, some supported by the PLA - eg. Thames Learning Group, Thames Explorer Trust, Thames 21, Ahoy Centre, River Thames Boat Project. As far as I'm aware only the last two groups offer trips for young people but with a limit of 12 passengers, not really of benefit to schools, who also generally can't afford to hire one of the commercial trip boats. Suggestions - That the importance of education concerning the river is recognised in the Vision, with the PLA doing what it can to mentor/ facilitate existing and new providers and That the importance of organised river trips for schoolchildren is recognised, again with the PLA seeking to facilitate new vessels and facilities for this purpose.