TfL Ref: 3003-1819

Thank you for your email received by us on 9 February 2019 asking for information about the Woolwich Ferry service.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. You asked for:

a timeline of all the work/tasks that have gone in the upgrade of the Woolwich ferry from 1/1/18 until 9/2/19. I would also like to know the exact reason for it's delayed re-opening, and information about any plans to remedy the problems.

The new ferry service has meant substantial changes to the previous ferry infrastructure, with the introduction of new technologies and systems that will future proof the service for many years to come and bring significant improvements to its environmental, customer experience and safety. These new technologies include:

• Two vessels powered by diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system (meeting London's Low Emission Zone standards).
• Intelligent dock locking system - magnetic technology, making them more stable to board and alight.

Please see attached schedule of works.

I can advise that there were some delays relating to the fixed terminal infrastructure, vessels and integration of systems; the service opened on 31 January 2019.

I would like to know when the Woolwich ferry is likely to be back to a full service.

We’re operating a limited Woolwich Ferry service following the completion of our improvement work. This has allowed us to steadily increase the frequency of the service as staff and passengers increase their experience of the boats. There has been a steady increase in the level of reliability and frequency of the service and we expect this to continue into a normal service in the coming weeks. We are operating both vessels as normal on weekdays.

I would like to request information on reasons for any closures or distribution to the ferry service (including one boat services) between 9/2/18 and 9/2/19.

This was due to vessel/infrastructure reliability, tidal or weather restrictions, staff shortage and planned closures such as the London Marathon and upgrade works, as well as customer action.

I would also like to know how many staff were employed by Briggs Marine to work on the ferry in 2018 and how many staff were rostered to work per shift, in comparison to how many will be employed when the new ferry's are in operation and how many will be rostered to work per shift.

As mentioned previously, the service opened on 31 January 2019. Please see the following table for further information:

                                          Total Staff Numbers:
Until October 2018                       87
From October 2018                      68
 
                                                Per Shift:
Until October 2018                      23
From October 2018 
Monday -Friday                   24-AM 25-PM
Weekends                                    10

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely

Jasmine Howard
FOI Case Officer
Information Governance
Transport For London

Attachments