L to R: Allison Ogden-Newton OBE (Keep Britain Tidy), Fazilette Khan (GreenSeas Trust), Alex Robinson (Hubbub), Paul Hyman (Active360/ In the Drink), Jackie Doyle-Price MP (UK Parliament / MP for Thurrock), Grace Rawnsley (PLA), Alex McGoran (CEFAS), Chris Coode (Thames21), Rachel Dulai (British Rowing), Alison Debney (ZSL), Robin Mortimer (PLA), Emily McLean (PLA)
We launched the PLA’s Clean Thames Plan in Parliament yesterday (22 April), in collaboration with river users, riparian councils and stakeholders, to lay out achievable actions towards a clean river, free of sewage, waste and pollution, supporting greater biodiversity and recreation.
To date, we have made progress to reduce pollution in the tidal Thames through actions such as convening the Thames Litter Forum, removing up to 200 tonnes of rubbish each year from the river through our driftwood service, running public awareness campaigns and funding projects through our Thames Environment Fund.
Dame Jackie Doyle-Price MP, who hosted a roundtable at UK Parliament to launch the plan, commented: “Improving water quality is a pressing concern for everyone. I welcome the PLA’s efforts to draw attention to these important issues; injecting greater focus on key actions to remedy the situation, while shining a light on best practice up-and-down the tidal Thames.”
Our Clean Thames Plan sets out the ten clear actions that we need to deliver to achieve our ambitions before the end of the decade.
Environmental charity Thames 21 welcomed the news of the Government’s plan to ban the sale of wet wipes containing plastic yesterday (22 April), calling it ‘a monumental victory for the health of the River Thames, people and wildlife’.
Commenting on the plan, our Chief Executive, Robin Mortimer, said: “This is a brilliant achievement and step forward in our shared vision of a cleaner river with a healthy eco-system in which rich biodiversity can thrive.
“Tackling micro-plastics at source is a key part of our Clean Thames Manifesto, launched last year, and we’d like to thank Thames 21 and all the supporters involved in helping make this ban on plastic wet wipes a reality.”
Stuart Rivers (MNWB), Ruth Campbell, Alexander Campbell OBE, Joel Holt (MNWB)
QVSR (Queen Victoria Seamen’s Rest) Seafarers Centres officially opened a comfortable, well-equipped lounge in the Cruise Terminal at the Port of Tilbury (3 April).
Port Chaplin, Ruth Campbell, along with volunteers, recognised a need for the cruise crew to have a place to relax and spend time away from the ship, as well as have easier access to the pastoral care that she and her team provides for the 8,000 seafarers who arrive at the port every year.
Having successfully approached Tilbury to secure empty office space, they raised funding from The Seafarers’ Charity, the Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB) and a private donor, to transform the space into a series of attractive seafarers’ lounges, with a newly formed kitchen area and attractive seating.
Alexander Campbell, CEO QVSR & QVSR Seafarers Centres commented:
“It is a great privilege to serve seafarers; often those working on cruise ships can be forgotten. Their day to day duties can be hectic with little time to stop and switch off. The QVSR Cruise Crew Lounge allows them space to be themselves, chat with loved ones and switch off from their day to day duties.”
The MaRi-UK Hydrogen Highway project, led by the PLA, has reached a pivotal milestone, with the University of Strathclyde demonstrating the feasibility of adopting hydrogen-fuelled container ships for transporting containerized hydrogen between offshore green hydrogen platforms and ports.
Championing the adoption of clean fuels and smart technologies within offshore hydrogen platform networks, the university’s initiative highlighted the viability of autonomous berthing as a solution for offshore hydrogen transport.
Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal took the first official step on Chelsea Quay, a brand-new area of riverside land built by Tideway above London’s super sewer.
Sir Neville Simms, Tideway's Chair, said: "It was an honour to welcome Her Royal Highness to this amazing new space at Chelsea Quay. Not only does it give incredible views of the city, it's also been carefully designed and crafted to pay tribute to its local environment and offers a beautiful addition to the city."
Tideway engineers are currently completing the final pieces of work on the site at Chelsea where the super sewer connects to an old overflow gate in the river, before removing the hoardings and opening it to the public in the next few weeks.
Testing of the new tunnel is also due to start soon and is expected to be fully operational by 2025.
Bridgewatch is a programme that aims to help reduce suicide and harm on the river Thames by providing a physical presence of trained volunteers, who patrol the areas on and around the bridges in central London. As attendee, Charlie McKnight, said, “London is the best city in the world, but it can be an incredibly lonely place.”
This event (10 April) was held to thank existing volunteers and encourage new support. Speeches were given from The Ascension Trust, the Tidal Thames Water Safety Forum (TTTWSF), the Samaritans’ Chair Keith Leslie, and people who have had personal experience of suicide.
Volunteer Ryan Pollock said: “I feel empowered to make a positive difference… I’m filled with a profound sense of purpose and optimism.”
DP World marked another milestone for its soon-to-open £350m London Gateway fourth berth with the arrival of eight fully electric straddle carriers, forming part of the world's first all-electric fleet at any port.
The £12m investment in these 62-tonne machines, which are zero-emission and require just 45 minutes of charging for up to four hours of operation, underscores the company's commitment to an environmentally friendly future for the Port of London.
Manufactured by Kalmar, these straddle carriers are pivotal to DP World's strategy to electrify all its port and terminals equipment globally by 2050. The new fourth berth will cater to the largest container ships.
River Thames apprentices with Rt Hon Mark Harper MP, February 2024
The Thames Skills Academy is inviting employers and people interested in taking apprenticeships to a River Thames Apprenticeship Open Day on Thursday 2 May to learn about working on the River Thames.
They will showcase two apprenticeships: Government-funded Maritime Engineering and Boatmaster Apprenticeships, as well as show the opportunities to be gained as an apprentice joining the river community.
Simon Lofting CMI, Head of Maritime Engineering at South Essex College and Simon Jinks, SeaRegs will talk about their track record teaching the apprenticeships.
Refreshments will be served from 10.00am for a 10.30am start, followed by a sandwich lunch from 1pm. There is the opportunity of a tour of Watermen’s Hall during lunchtime.
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