§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has held with private sector operators about commercial passenger river services in London; and if he will make a statement on the future of such services.
§ Mr. NorrisI have today announced the establishent of a River Thames working group which I will chair to undertake a thorough study of the use of the river for transport. The terms of reference for the study are:
- 1. Establish what present use is made of the tidal part of the River Thames upstream of Southend and Sheerness for transport purposes and by whom.
- 2. Establish what constraints presently deter or inhibit transport operators from developing those uses.
- 3. Establish the likely potential for the development of transport use of the river, taking into consideration the interests of other river users, the views of riparian boroughs, its linkage to the existing transport network and all relevant safety issues raised in the Hayes report on river safety.
- 4. Consider how far it is in the overall interest to develop the transport usage of the river taking into account the environmental, leisure, amenity and planning aspects of any such development.
- 5. Identify the scope for private sector development which would assist the achievement of the river's transport potential for freight and passenger traffic.
I have invited the Port of London Authority, London First, the London Docklands development corporation, the London planning advisory committee and London Transport to be members.
I will also be consulting a broad range of bodies with responsibility for or interests in the river. I would also like to hear from other people who have proposals for increased use of the river.