Thames River Leisure Craft (Hansard, 25 February 2002)

§ Lord Falconer of Thoroton

The Government are keen to encourage leisure usage of the Thames by ensuring that guidance and advice through the Maritime and Coastguard Agency is made freely available to all users/operators to improve personal safety, safety of craft and safety aspects throughout the Thames. This is in addition to regulatory measures in place.

The Port of London Authority (PLA), the statutory port authority for the tidal Thames, plays an active role in promoting the safe pursuit of recreational activities on the Thames. It has well developed safety and navigational information aimed at the recreational river user both on its website and in leaflet and booklet form. The PLA also supports a number of events on the river, including local youth events. Leisure users are represented on the PLA's three river users' consultative forums.

The Millennium Commission has committed over £7 million towards the development of piers. Transport for London is responsible for river passenger services using its own piers. The Mayor for London's transport stategy states that river passenger services will be encouraged.