Request ID: FOI-0900-2324 Date published: 06 July 2023
You asked
I have been reviewing the Transport Committee meeting transmission from Thursday last week.
Please can you advise which piers are owned and operated by TfL; I think you advised that there are eight?
Do any of the TfL piers have electrical connections, such as a 3 phase supply which visiting vessels could hook up to?
Do any of the TfL piers have any black water pump out facilities?
Are any of the TfL piers used to berth visiting vessels? Do you impose time limits for visiting vessels?
The EU is putting forward plans that require vessels at berth to be zero emission. Bearing in mind the Mayors air quality desires, does TfL have any plans to implement a similar requirement?
We answered
Our ref: FOI-0900-2324/GH
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 21 June 2023 asking for information about TfL piers.
Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require.
Please can you advise which piers are owned and operated by TfL; I think you advised that there are eight? TfL own the following piers; Greenwich, Tower, Bankside, Festival, Embankment, Westminster, Blackfriars and Millbank.
Do any of the TfL piers have electrical connections, such as a 3 phase supply which visiting vessels could hook up to? TfL’s piers do not have 3 phase power supplies for vessels to connect to. All vessels using our piers operate under their own power supply.
Do any of the TfL piers have any black water pump out facilities? We do have a facility for black water pump out located at Tower Pier. However it is currently not in service given the lack of demand for the facility in recent years. Are any of the TfL piers used to berth visiting vessels? Do you impose time limits for visiting vessels? Any river operator may request a Charter Licence with TfL to use a TfL pier to board and alight passengers. Should a charter licence be granted, operators may book a slot to stop at a pier using an online booking system. Booking slots are generally 15 minutes although larger vessels may require longer to board or alight passengers.
The EU is putting forward plans that require vessels at berth to be zero emission. Bearing in mind the Mayors air quality desires, does TfL have any plans to implement a similar requirement? The Mayor and TfL have no powers to control emissions on the Thames. However, in 2019 TfL published the London Passenger Piers Strategy which commits to environmentally sustainable piers which generate their own energy and facilitate low-emission vessels. In recent years TfL has led by example, introducing two new hybrid powered vessels into the Woolwich Ferry service in line with the Mayor’s drive to improve air quality. The vessels are designed to reduce emissions by providing 90% less Particulate Matter and 70% less NOx than legal standards. They are powered by hybrid propulsion engines providing greater fuel efficiency and low noise. TfL will continue to work with key stakeholders such as the Port of London Authority and Maritime and Coastguard Agency to encourage the decarbonisation of river transport. If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Graham Hurt FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
