Home Forums General Discussion Information on Greenland Pier Closure

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    • #433
      imported_post
      Moderator

      I have had the following response to enquiries regarding the closure of Greenland Pier.

      Dear Simon,

      Thank you for your email (one of many we have received) about the sudden closure of Greenland Pier.

      As your local councillors we spent much of last evening on the phone to Council officers, local residents and Simon Hughes MP trying to find out what hadhappened.

      We are told that yesterday afternoon the Council called for a structural engineer to visit the pier after a loud noise was heard around the time a boat was arriving at the pier. After inspection, the engineer advised the Council that the pier was not structurally safe and would need to be repaired without delay.

      At that point, Council officers took the decision to close the pier to ensure the safety of local residents and to further ensure that the pier did not break off into the Thames. A Council officer is on watch this evening to keep an eye on the state of the pier in case it should break off at high tide, and to inform the Port of London and the Police if this does happen.

      Having contacted Council officers, they promised to have staff on duty at the pier this morning to ensure that residents are informed of any further developments which may occur overnight.

      Engineers have told the Council that repairs can be carried out over the next 48-72 hours to make the pier safe and to bring it back into service.

      In the longer term, there are ongoing issues between the Council and Thames Clippers about charges for use of the pier. To help in these discussions, we've this evening written to the company to offer our help to rectify any ongoing issues.

      We'd like to re-itterate our commitment to encouraging more use of the River as a means of transport for local people to take pressure off local bus services and the Jubilee Line – on a number of occasions we have raised with the Mayor of London the need to reduce fares on Clipper services to encourage more people to make their journeys to work, and for leisure, via the river.

      We have also campaigned for, and secured, more 381 and C10 buses in the rush hour – although we know that TfL and the Mayor still have a long way to go in providing bus and Tube services that are fit for purpose.

      As always, we'd be very happy to answer any further questions you may have on this issue so please do not hesitate to contact us.

      Best wishes,

      Paul, Lisa and David

    • #1057
      imported_post
      Moderator

      http://www.southwark.gov.uk/news/article/566/greenland_pier_renovation_works_rescheduled_to_minimise_disruption

      A number of us use the Thames Clipper Service and the Greenland Pier. The pier closure has been rescheduled to the New Year – February 2012.

      Thought of letting Rainbow Quay residents know.

      Sushmita

    • #1058
      imported_post
      Moderator

      I really don't understand this. If the pier is unsafe then of course it needs to be closed and fixed. If it is not, it does not. This apparently random delay to the dry dock inspection means it is either unnecessary or they are dangerously putting interim users of the pier (like me) at risk. Can any structural engineers shed some light ?

    • #1059
      imported_post
      Moderator

      The council have gone strangely quiet. I would like to write a letter to them saying how much this service is used by us and how important it is.
      This ought to be endorsed by as many people as possible so please add to this string if you would like your name to be on the letter too.
      Chris T

    • #1060
      imported_post
      Moderator

      Yes, they have gone quiet now, but it is surely the logical conclusion.
      I expect we will hear more in the New Year. Thames Clippers and the Council are working close together to ensure that the least number of people are inconvenienced. Or to put it another way, Thames Clippers profits are hurt the least by a February closure.

      Mu own cynical view is that December is probably the time when most people renew their season tickets, just before the price increases take effect. To make an announcement in December about closure in February, would of course put some people off renewing their season tickets and hit Thames Clippers profits. Therefore I am waiting for an announcement by mid-January.

    • #1061
      imported_post
      Moderator

      Came across the following

      http://po-ru.com/diary/the-true-story-of-the-greenland-pier-closure/

      Still waiting to hear if the Pier is going to close for repair in February. If no news by the end of next week, then I will wonder why TC said they would close it in February as it is the pier's quietest period.

    • #1062
      imported_post
      Moderator

      Just got the below email from Thames Clippers. Does anyone know who we should contact to try and ensure something is done about this. Closure of the pier would have a dramatic impact. Thanks

      Sara

      Dear Passengers,

      As many of you are aware there has been some doubt about the long-term use of Greenland pier for Thames Clippers' service. Thames Clippers have worked tirelessly with Southwark Council, the Mayor’s Office and TfL to try and influence a decision for the pier to remain in the hands of a public body and for a maintenance program to be put in place to refurbish the pier with minimal disruption. Disappointingly none of this has so far come to fruition.

      As a result of this Thames Clippers have been served notice to cease operation from the pier as of Tuesday 28th February 2012. We are very hopeful that an arrangement will be reached before this date which will allow us to keep using Greenland pier, but we cannot at present confirm that we will be able to continue operating from Greenland pier after that date.

      In the meantime, please continue to buy tickets in the normal fashion to receive the various discounts available. Season Ticket holders will be offered a choice of either a full refund on the unused period or alternative travel via the Hilton Docklands to Canary Wharf ferry should the service from Greenland pier have to cease.

      On behalf of Thames Clippers, I would like to thank you all for your unwavering commitment over many years to our riverbus service and indeed your contribution to its growth and success to date. I remain confident that a solution will be found to keep the pier and a service will continue for Greenland passengers.

      We will of course keep you continually updated of any developments through Service Alerts and Twitter as soon as confirmed.

    • #1063
      imported_post
      Moderator

      I was told by Thames Clippers to speak to Southwark Council as the situation is out of their hands

    • #1064
      imported_post
      Moderator

      According to the update, which is also on the Thames Clippers website, there is also the Mayor’s Office and TfL.  However, this is hopefully just Thames Clippers throwing their toys out; I personally doubt anyone can be interested in permanently discontinuing this probably significant source of revenue for the sake of a temporary pier closure for refurbishment – and why refurbish the pier in the first place if there were no plans for its future use?

    • #1065
      imported_post
      Moderator

      Some of us have been quite active in lobbying the council members. (especially Russell and myself).
      Attached is the latest summary reply from Lisa Rajan.
      Chris T

    • #1066
      imported_post
      Moderator

      This is the thread which ought to be used for this topic from now on.Best not to have two threads running!

    • #1067
      imported_post
      Moderator

      Latest news from the Thames Clippers website (http://www.thamesclippers.com/main/news-32.html):

      “We are pleased to let our customers know that Thames Clippers are in discussion with Southwark Council about continuing the service at Greenland Pier beyond 28 February. This will initially be on a temporary licence until the long-term plans are finalised.

      We should have confirmation of this within the next 48 hours and will keep you updated with any developments.

      Posted: 21 February 2012″

    • #1068
      imported_post
      Moderator

      Does Labour Councillor Barrie Hargrove not have anything better to do other than thinking about ways to destroy Greenland Dock/Pier and the lives of people who live here? First the temporary marina now the pier…

      Never vote for Labour

      Just checked Southwark Council's website and realised that the decision to dispose the pier was made on 22 December 2011. Can't help but wonder if Barrie Hargrove did it for revenge…

      http://moderngov.southwarksites.com/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=17407&Opt=0

    • #1069
      imported_post
      Moderator

      River pier future looking good [20 February 2012]”:

      http://www.southwark.gov.uk/news/article/666/river_pier_future_looking_good

    • #1070
      imported_post
      Moderator

      … and finally (for now):

      KPMG Thames Clippers Secure Future Of Greenland Pier“: http://www.thamesclippers.com/main/news-33.html; and

      Thames Clippers named as 'preferred bidder' for Greenland Pier“: http://www.southwark.gov.uk/news/article/676/thames_clippers_named_as_preferred_bidder_for_greenland_pier.

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