Now in its fourth year, Active Thames, the partnership programme that promotes the development of water sports on the tidal Thames and inland waterways in London, Kent and Essex, has opened applications for its next round of funding.
Now in its fourth year, Active Thames, the partnership programme that promotes the development of water sports on the tidal Thames and inland waterways in London, Kent and Essex, has opened applications for its next round of funding.
So far, the Fund has awarded £430,000 to 56 different clubs, each encouraging sport and physical activity on the region’s blue spaces and the Thames Path National Trail. In 2023 alone, Active Thames funding supported over 2,300 individuals to participate in more than 850 activity sessions, with over 230 additional people developing key coaching skills and qualifications.
This year, grants of up to £5,000 are available, and larger grants may be considered for projects that meet multiple objectives and demonstrate a strong track record of successful delivery. The deadline for applications is the 27 October 2024.
Tilbury on the Thames Trust in partnership with The Port of Tilbury has secured over £4 million in funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. This funding will enable the Trust to fully refurbish Tilbury’s Grade II listed historic Riverside Railway Station.
Paul Dale, Chair of Tilbury on the Thames Trust and COO of Forth Ports, said:
"The Port of Tilbury is a gateway to the world along the River Thames, and we are proud of our maritime heritage and trade. Tilbury on the Thames Trust have had a vision for the Tilbury Riverside Station in partnership with the Port for many years, and now this funding will bring the station back to life ensuring the local stories are told and preserving the rich history of the Riverside Station for generations to come."
The restored Riverside Station will form part of the redevelopment of the Tilbury waterfront, complementing Tilbury Town Fund developments, providing a new community hub, with a café and event space. The former railway station will also include artist studios to support local business, education and investment, as well as permanent exhibition space that showcases the history of Tilbury and its role in major national and international events.
DP World Doubles Rail
Photo: DP World
DP World has doubled its rail links by launching a second weekly London Gateway to Southampton rail service, expanding its rail capacity between two of the UK’s largest container ports and reducing carbon emissions by cutting more than one million truck miles a year.
The first weekly service between London Gateway and Southampton was launched in 2022 to boost the resilience of customer supply chains, enabling swift and reliable freight transit between the two UK ports.
With a financial incentive to customers through its Modal Shift Programme, customers can move import-laden containers via rail to railheads within 140 miles of the Southampton logistics hub. The programme has already boosted the share of rail freight at Southampton from 21% to more than 30%.
The new mid-week train will be operated by Freightliner from 1 October. It augments the existing weekend service, providing customers with increased access to extensive storage and handling, freight forwarding and delivery services at London Gateway Logistics Park – the largest port-adjacent logistics park in the UK, with 9.25 million sq. ft. of gross floor area.
Inspiring Sustainable Futures
Every September, Thames Skills Academy organises an event to showcase the extensive career opportunities that there are on the Thames. This year, the Careers on the Thames event (17 September) was held aboard City Cruises’ The Millennium of London. The focus of this year’s event was on sustainability and so two PLA colleagues from our Environment team, Emily McLean and Grace Staines went along to support and inspire the students.
This year's event was in partnership with Harris Garrard Academy, Thamesmead, one of the federation’s 52 Harris academies across London, the event was well-attended by students from Thamesmead with 120 16-17 year olds, who enjoyed the captivating experience of a careers event on the river.
Head of Academy, Kristen Gringeri, said:
“We are deeply grateful to the Thames Skills Academy for their generous support and hosting our students during their recent careers event. Your commitment to nurturing young talent and providing them with valuable insights into the professional world is truly inspiring. This experience has made a significant impact on our students' future aspirations and career development. Thank you for being an invaluable partner in their journey."
Thousands of rowers took part in The Great River Race this year (21 September), from Millwall in East London to Richmond in West London this year.
Dubbed ‘London’s River Marathon’, the rowers, with a wide range of experience from amateurs to athletes, enthusiastically took on the 21.6 miles, travelling under 28 bridges along the tidal Thames.
In an exciting, and fast paced Great River Race, the Cornish Pilot Gig, Amazon, crewed by the Caradon Pilot Gig Club posted the fastest overall time (on handicap), 2:02:21, to win the Challenge Trophy of the Company of Watermen and Lightermen of the River Thames.
Inspired by the visits by the world’s last sea-going paddle steamer, The Waverley, the historic Gravesend Town Pier is opening its doors to visitors every Thursday to Sunday until 20 October 2024 with an autumn pop-up featuring Heavenly Crepes Café, an art day with Duncan Grant, Stories of Blooms sustainable wreath making workshop, live riverscape painting and an exhibition by internationally-renowned photographer Vince Bevan, 'Landscapes of fishing'.
As well as watching The Waverley arrive and leave the pier, it is possible to book a voyage. There are also some special Thames Clippers cruises at 8.45 returning at 17.50 on 28 and 29 September.
The PLA convened the third meeting of the Thames Net Zero Coalition on Thursday 19 September, attended by 30 operator representatives and led by the joint Heads of Sustainability, Julia Makin and Alice Hall.
The full-day event featured presentations from Industry, Academia and Regulators to help set the context for decarbonisation of the river and the transition to future fuels and technology. Mark Simmonds, Director of Policy and External Affairs, British Ports Association, spoke about clean maritime policy priorities for ports, Rene Banares, Oxford University, explained the role of ‘Green Ammonia’ in the decarbonisation of global shipping, and PLA’s Grace Staines presented on evidence-based decision-making through RightShip’s Marine Emissions Portal.
PLA representatives updated on progress on actions in the Net Zero River Plan to be delivered in 2024, including a Green Shipping Corridor Feasibility Study, and showcased insights from its Maritime Emissions Portal which uses AIS (Automatic Identification System) and vessel specific data to give a view of a port’s emissions inventory. The feedback on the day was positive, with operators keen to continue engaging on achieving the energy transition.
The PLA has appointed James Palmer, to the role of Director of Marine Operations, taking the reins from Steven Clapperton.
Having joined the PLA in 2021 as Head of Civil Engineering, with an experienced background in a wide range of engineering and consultancy roles across the maritime sector, James is well-respected throughout the organisation.
Leading the Marine Operations team, James oversees Marine Services, Civil and Marine Engineering, and Hydrographic Service departments, which includes managing the authority’s significant vessel fleet and marine infrastructure, surveying, construction, and salvage operations.
Annual Draw Off Walk
Every year at Richmond Lock and Weir, the weirs are held up across the low tide period so that essential maintenance works on Richmond Lock can be carried out.
The draw off period (28 October to 22 November) means that the riverbed is exposed at low water, and so this year, the annual draw off walk, with a chance to walk across the riverbed at low tide, will be on Friday 8 November.
To celebrate World Rivers Day (23 September), OXO Tower invited the PLA’s Technical Advisor for Water Quality, Emily McLean, to their annual panel discussion on issues concerning the tidal Thames and other waterways.
As in previous years, the panel discussion was followed by a group foreshore clean up, putting words into action.
Thames Day
There was a brilliant turnout at the Thames Day festival (22 September). This event was produced by the Thames Festival Trust, in partnership with Destination City, a City of London Corporation programme, as part of the Totally Thames Festival.
At the PLA stand, managed by PLA staff Joey Innes-Hopkins, Theo Albanis, Patricia Nyongo and Shannon White, people came by to find out more about the river and take part in activities.
Lower District Public Meeting
Every year, the PLA hosts public meetings in the three districts of the tidal Thames. On Thursday 7 November 2024, the lower district public meeting will be held at our head office, London River House, in Gravesend. Registration is required.
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