Gateway’s vision for a network of piers to serve Thames towns (From Echo)
Get involved: send your pictures, video, news and views by texting ECHONEWS to 80360, or email us »
Gateway’s vision for a network of piers to serve Thames towns
6:40am Friday 5th December 2008 in FORUM
taxi boats already run on the Thames in London
WATER taxis would ferry passengers up and down the Thames if an ambitious plan becomes reality.
The vision includes creating nine piers which would double up as pick-up points, including ones at Canvey, Purfleet and Grays.
Southend and Gravesend piers would also feature in the estuary network which would run from Southend up to Greenwich.
Top London planners Terry Farrell Associates devised the plan after being commissioned to come up with ideas by Thames Gateway.
The firm produced the Parklands Vision, a 67-page document which championed using the river for transport of passengers and freight.
It also suggested the estuary’s marshes and woodlands be made more accessible to the public.
Donna Riddington, Parklands assistant co-ordinator, said: “Water transport would open up the Thames Gateway. It would allow new industry and leisure relations between either side and bring closer neighbours who at the moment seem very far away.
“It harks back to how the river used to be used.”
Nigel Holdcroft, Southend Council leader, praised the idea for its potential to cut congestion in south Essex and said it would fit in perfectly with the council’s plans for the future of the pier.
He said: “In a consultation about how the public wanted to see the pier developed they said they wanted a use that was linked to either a maritime use or was environmentally friendly. Something like this would obviously be consistent with that.”
Ray Howard, Castle Point councillor, loved the idea.
He said: “I have always advocated that the River Thames is not used enough. It’s a great asset.”
SPECIAL REPORT IN FRIDAY'S ECHO
Comments(31)
SARFENDMAN
says...
7:42am Fri 5 Dec 08
The Public has been consulted about the Pier's Future many times but their wishes have been ignored as all we hear about are Boutique Hotels and the likes. There has been over 40 years of public consultation and all we have as a result is a pier devoid of any attraction except a walkway, a railway, an RNLI Shop, one cafe, a portaloo and a sundeck with no disabled access.
The use of the pier for a water taxi has been mooted before but nothing has materialised. Councillor Ric Morgan came up with a cracking idea that the Pier should be used for this very idea for the 2012 Olympics. We all know had that his good idea had no chance with this administration of all talk and no action. This will be this inevitably be the case with this latest "good idea". Oh! I wish I could be proved so wrong.
Peter Pantsless
says...
9:08am Fri 5 Dec 08
Nigel, thats all this council ever come up with is plans (which includes your compulsory consultancy) and nothing more.
This town and its 'world famous' attraction has become a laughing stock, and you and your council is 100 percent solely responsible.
excuse after excuse, delay after delay....
Mad 'M'
says...
10:29am Fri 5 Dec 08
BD
says...
10:35am Fri 5 Dec 08
And before anyone mentions building longer piers the shipping lane is about to become full of suprtankers heading for the new port.
Mad 'M'
says...
11:06am Fri 5 Dec 08
BD wrote:The taxis need a very shallow draught and when the tide goes out it does not leave the piers out of the water.
good idea but what happens when the tide goes out..?? I think the waters are far too shallow around our coastline for this to become a regular service. And before anyone mentions building longer piers the shipping lane is about to become full of suprtankers heading for the new port.
Rick Jones
says...
11:53am Fri 5 Dec 08
BD wrote:Southend Pier is as long as it is just because of that reason, the pier head is always in the "deep water" so there is no problem there, the same with the London Piers have you ever seen the river bus fleet in London stop because of low tide I have not.
good idea but what happens when the tide goes out..?? I think the waters are far too shallow around our coastline for this to become a regular service. And before anyone mentions building longer piers the shipping lane is about to become full of suprtankers heading for the new port.
CaptGuvnor
says...
12:26pm Fri 5 Dec 08
It's total non starter and would be a waste of time and taxpayers money
briasy1
says...
12:29pm Fri 5 Dec 08
BD
says...
12:36pm Fri 5 Dec 08
Rick Jones wrote:I thought you could walk to the end of the pier at low tide??!
BD wrote: good idea but what happens when the tide goes out..?? I think the waters are far too shallow around our coastline for this to become a regular service. And before anyone mentions building longer piers the shipping lane is about to become full of suprtankers heading for the new port.Southend Pier is as long as it is just because of that reason, the pier head is always in the "deep water" so there is no problem there, the same with the London Piers have you ever seen the river bus fleet in London stop because of low tide I have not.
Id like to see it happen but Id imagine it would be a leisure thing rather than a business alternative.
Mad 'M'
says...
12:37pm Fri 5 Dec 08
briasy1 wrote:This article is not about Southend pier so stop whingey/whining about it. This is about a river taxi service and if the people southend/leigh dont want to take part then good, but other people living up river do.
It doesn't matter what ambitious plans come up for the pier if the council continue to use their own staff they will fail, a useless bunch of civil servants who's only interest in life is to do as little work as possible they will wreck any plans
A University of Life Sage
says...
12:46pm Fri 5 Dec 08
10:29am Fri 5 Dec 08
Fantastic idea, very feasible/viable and could probably be bought in to service very quickly as I am sure there are many little-used piers already available and would probably only need slight modifications to enable a passenger taxi service to start."
Mad by name mad by nature!!
Forget all this nonsense about a water taxi to London coz it’s anon starter
Tell me this: In the middle of winter, how many people are going to bother to travel a quarter of a mile on a rickity old pier train to the end of the pier, hop onto a cold and damp water taxi, then spend two hours bobbing and swaying up the Thames in a strong south westerly wind, avoiding huge container ships and riding their wash all for a fare that will be a lot more than if you go by train or in a nice warm and cosy car?
I’ll tell you who: very very few
thelonewhinger
says...
12:55pm Fri 5 Dec 08
As ideas go it's fine but would rely on lots of private cash to start up and run. Remember the ill fated river taxis in the City where even a thriving and regular usage barely provided a profit.
Mad 'M'
says...
1:00pm Fri 5 Dec 08
A University of Life Sage wrote:Like I said, if you can read, that is if southend people dont want it others do. I live on Canvey so I am hardly going travel to Southend am I. Der der. Miserabl old ~@*^$$ like you are always very negative about everything and as for 'A University of Life Sage' I think it sholud be 'life less'.
"Mad 'M', Canvey says... 10:29am Fri 5 Dec 08 Fantastic idea, very feasible/viable and could probably be bought in to service very quickly as I am sure there are many little-used piers already available and would probably only need slight modifications to enable a passenger taxi service to start." Mad by name mad by nature!! Forget all this nonsense about a water taxi to London coz it’s anon starter Tell me this: In the middle of winter, how many people are going to bother to travel a quarter of a mile on a rickity old pier train to the end of the pier, hop onto a cold and damp water taxi, then spend two hours bobbing and swaying up the Thames in a strong south westerly wind, avoiding huge container ships and riding their wash all for a fare that will be a lot more than if you go by train or in a nice warm and cosy car? I’ll tell you who: very very few
A University of Life Sage
says...
1:03pm Fri 5 Dec 08
thelonewhinger wrote:It's not a fine idea it's a total waste of time in todays society.
Mad M - Gold star for attention! - This is a Thames Gateway idea hijacked by the hapless Southend Council, with a few comments by consultancies and local politicians with an agenda. As ideas go it's fine but would rely on lots of private cash to start up and run. Remember the ill fated river taxis in the City where even a thriving and regular usage barely provided a profit.
Can you see some city slicker using the service to drop him off by Canary Wharf
As a leisure pursuit, some type of boat off the pier may have a market for OAPs to waste away a few lazy hours in the summer but this type of taxi will not work
A University of Life Sage
says...
1:08pm Fri 5 Dec 08
Theres no need to be like that is there?........
So if this nonsense gets past the planning stage then you'll be the first one on it up bobbing up to London eh?
I doubt it and you'll be on the train or the A13 like the rest of us
Mad 'M'
says...
1:11pm Fri 5 Dec 08
A University of Life Sage wrote:Can you imagine, some long haired, whispy beard, old do do who probably gets sea sick walking thru a puddle. Get a life. And whats 'a city slicker', dont think I heard that expression used in many years !!!
thelonewhinger wrote: Mad M - Gold star for attention! - This is a Thames Gateway idea hijacked by the hapless Southend Council, with a few comments by consultancies and local politicians with an agenda. As ideas go it's fine but would rely on lots of private cash to start up and run. Remember the ill fated river taxis in the City where even a thriving and regular usage barely provided a profit.It's not a fine idea it's a total waste of time in todays society. Can you see some city slicker using the service to drop him off by Canary Wharf As a leisure pursuit, some type of boat off the pier may have a market for OAPs to waste away a few lazy hours in the summer but this type of taxi will not work
thelonewhinger
says...
1:13pm Fri 5 Dec 08
If you want to escape up river from Canvey - and who would blame you? I am sure you could raise the cash to develop the scheme... PS How de yer know I am not a cheerful young xx++@$$ then! - Takes one to know one.
Mad 'M'
says...
1:15pm Fri 5 Dec 08
A University of Life Sage wrote:If it gets me away from the types of you then most definately, but then when was the last time you travelled to London, in particular tvia the A13.
Mad M Canvey: Theres no need to be like that is there?........ So if this nonsense gets past the planning stage then you'll be the first one on it up bobbing up to London eh? I doubt it and you'll be on the train or the A13 like the rest of us
Mad 'M'
says...
1:19pm Fri 5 Dec 08
thelonewhinger wrote:I think you are a little muddled my insults go entirely to the 'Life Less Sage'. Lets not start trying to slag off Canvey now just because you cant read !!
Mad M - Derrrr, I was in fact agreeing with you - because the whole debate was revolving around (or under!) Southend Pier. If you want to escape up river from Canvey - and who would blame you? I am sure you could raise the cash to develop the scheme... PS How de yer know I am not a cheerful young xx++@$$ then! - Takes one to know one.
A University of Lifeless Sage
says...
1:20pm Fri 5 Dec 08
Changed the name for you - happy now?
My business proposition for this pie in the sky scheme is to call it "Mad M's Taxi".
We'd even let you drive and wear a sailors cap!
LOL
Mad 'M'
says...
1:31pm Fri 5 Dec 08
A University of Lifeless Sage wrote:Now, now, mind that puddle. You've definately got some weird stereotypic misconceptions about people haven't. When was the last time you ventured outside?
Mad M: Changed the name for you - happy now? My business proposition for this pie in the sky scheme is to call it "Mad M's Taxi". We'd even let you drive and wear a sailors cap! LOL
Bosniavet
says...
3:18pm Fri 5 Dec 08
However, haven't we all been here before?????
southendreb
says...
4:44pm Fri 5 Dec 08
There is potential for pleasure trips but you would not employ a bunch of consultants to come up with a viable idea./
A University of Life Sage
says...
5:55pm Fri 5 Dec 08
I've just been for a walk down by the seafront near Thorney Bay and looked out to where your beloved taxi is proposed to run. It's pitch black out there, pi**ing with rain and freezing cold.
Do you still think people will be queueing up to use it? If so you truly are mad
Sorry my son, but yo've lost this one
Fred26
says...
6:04pm Fri 5 Dec 08
I can't see the point in a boat running all the way to London, when the railways would be able to do it much more quickly.
SARFENDMAN
says...
6:50pm Fri 5 Dec 08
ant/Renaissance/Rene
wal/Thames Gateway/Echo type wind up. It'll never happen just like all the other Pier Wonder Ideas but it gets us writing, so DO NOT TAKE SERIOUSLY. Southend United have a better chance of thrashing Chelsea 8-0 away from home in the Cup than this becoming a reality.
Thames Gateway
says...
10:58am Sat 6 Dec 08
A nice idea for a leisure route, but no-one would go all the way into London on it for business purposes.
APR
says...
10:07am Sun 7 Dec 08
Mad 'M'
says...
10:43am Sun 7 Dec 08
APR
says...
10:14pm Sun 7 Dec 08
Many have tried and failed.
Mad 'M'
says...
12:24pm Mon 8 Dec 08
APR wrote:When ???
A great idea ? Many have tried and failed.
I have nver heard of anyone running a river boat service from Canvey !!
Comment now! Register or sign in below.
Log in with us
Fields marked with * are mandatory.
Or
Log in with