Thames tube line proposed as London's answer

Thursday 7th January 2010

A speed boat service on the river Thames could carry nearly as many people as the Waterloo and City London Underground line, according to a new report.

The report, published today by Policy Exchange, which features contributions from Zac Goldsmith and Justine Greening MP, outlines plans for a "waterborne tube line" which would run from Putney to Woolwich stopping at 20 piers.

It goes on to propose a possible map for the service as well as a timetable for rolling out the scheme which it suggests could carry 12 million people for an initial investment of £30 million.

It does though criticise the lack of leadership and investment in river transport currently displayed by Transport for London (TfL).

Were the plans to reach fruition they would see river transport integrated with the underground system and ticket prices as low as a tenth of other TfL projects such as the Dockland Light Railway (DLR) and the East London line.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: "Throughout history the Thames has played an integral role in the development of our city, and travelling on it is one of the great pleasures of London. We are working hard to maximise its use - Oysterising the payment system, increasing signage, and investing in piers and other infrastructure."

Kulveer Ranger, the mayor's adviser on transport, was one the contributors for the report put together by the right-leaning thinktank.

Robert McIlveen, editor of the report, said: "Creating a new Thames line on the Tube map, with a frequent service from Putney to the Thames Gateway, would relieve some of the worst pinch-points on the tube network."

He added: "The river is like a huge motorway running through the heart of the city, but until now it has been left nearly empty. Brisbane, Hamburg, Bangkok and a dozen other cities have successful transport systems on water."

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