The Port of London Authority has today issued invitations to the first 200 people on the waiting list to receive a new foreshore permit, enabling them to mudlark along the River Thames in central London. This follows our announcement of new measures to protect the foreshore of the Thames, having worked with London Museum, Historic England and the Crown Estate to develop a fair, sustainable approach.
The interest in mudlarking and the increase in outdoor activities that grew during the pandemic led to the number of applications for foreshore permits to rise from around 200 in 2019 to over 5,000 in 2022. As a result of this growth, and to protect the river and people using the river, the PLA paused the scheme and undertook a substantive review.
Since announcing the new scheme, the PLA has received almost 10,000 applications for a new permit.
James Trimmer, the PLA’s Director of Planning and Development, said:
“In so many ways the River Thames is a treasure and we have an obligation to protect its history and heritage. Part of that means safely managing the access mudlarkers have to the river. In the last five years we have seen interest soar to almost 10,000 people wanting to take to the Thames’ foreshore to mudlark. This highlights the importance of our new approach to control access in a fair and open way so a wider group of people have the opportunity to mudlark, while protecting the river and those who use it.”
The next release of foreshore permits will be made in early 2025. Foreshore permits will be valid for one year from the date of issue, with the intention of being more equitable and allowing a greater number of people having the opportunity to mudlark safely.
Those without a permit can still search for official guided tours, from companies such as Thames Explorer Trust. The PLA also supports London Museum’s Secrets of the Thames exhibition, which will open in April 2025.
Applications for this year's Active Thames fund close this Sunday, 27 October 2024.
The Active Thames partnership programme promotes the development of watersports on the tidal Thames and inland waterways in London, Kent and Essex. To date, Active Thames has supported 56 community and sports groups with £430,000 of funding.
Following the conclusion of the PLA's first ever Clean Thames Challenge, we have compiled the results from the 154 people who participated in the month-long event.
As PLA’s Water Quality Technical Advisor, Emily McLean said:
“Our volunteers have worked tirelessly over the course of September, with over 100 free litter kits provided to help them in their mission. This collective effort highlights the vital role community action plays in protecting our waterways and creating a cleaner, healthier Thames for all.”
Earlier this month, DP World mapped out plans for a £1bn expansion of the London Gateway and to increase capacity by building two new shipping berths, which would bring the total to six berths. The plans will see it become Britain’s largest container port within five years, capable of receiving the world’s largest container ships.
DP World have said the plans will create 400 permanent new jobs, on top of the 1,200 currently employed at the site.
Electric Thames
The Electric Thames project, a partnership with Marine Zero, UK Power Networks, LCP Delta, ev.energy and the PLA has been awarded funding for the second stage in the Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) Round 3 competition.
This phase of Electric Thames, which will run to March 2025, involves:
Understanding vessel archetypes, power requirements and viable adjustments.
Defining present and future power demands.
Developing planning solutions, in line with London Borough Planning Strategies.
Identifying funding models and methodologies to facilitate a Net Zero Thames operation in line with PLA-defined timescales.
Defining adoption pathways across PLA area and wider UK market.
The PLA are excited to be part of this ground-breaking project to explore how a new generation of electric and clean fuel vessels could help to power London’s electricity network, generating income for vessel operators and reducing emissions.
Four New Trainee Pilots welcomed onboard at the PLA
Photo: Michail Kapellos, Neil Topping, Jake Bryan, Gavin Trotter
Earlier this month, the PLA announced the addition of four new Trainee Pilots to its team, reinforcing the commitment to ensuring the safe and efficient navigation of vessels on the iconic River Thames. This intake is part of our ongoing efforts to bolster pilotage services, which are critical to supporting trade and maintaining the Thames as a vital commercial waterway.
The new recruits, Gavin Trotter, Neil Topping, Jake Bryan and Michail Kapellos bring a wealth of maritime experience from diverse backgrounds within the shipping industry. Over the course of their rigorous training, they will develop the expertise required to safely guide vessels through the river’s busy and sometimes challenging waters.
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