They're still having problems with docking. The drawbridge took ages to engage with the boat and then one of the gates decided not to open for a while.
The boat looks good. There are separate ways on for cyclists and pedestrians.
I think it was slower crossing but as it's so big I suppose the wait, for cars anyway, will be shorter.
And now I can say I'm one of the first to ride Vera Lynn.
;-)
They're still having problems with docking. The drawbridge took ages to engage with the boat and then one of the gates decided not to open for a while.
The boat looks good. There are separate ways on for cyclists and pedestrians.
I think it was slower crossing but as it's so big I suppose the wait, for cars anyway, will be shorter.
And now I can say I'm one of the first to ride Vera Lynn.
;-)
They should have left it well alone. All in the name of progress....
Having read that try clicking onto the pop up news item regarding the raid on a brothel. There is a 30 sec videos showing about a dozen police officers in riot gear steaming into a flat above a shop. A bit OTT ???
Having read that try clicking onto the pop up news item regarding the raid on a brothel. There is a 30 sec videos showing about a dozen police officers in riot gear steaming into a flat above a shop. A bit OTT ???
Has taken me 50 minutes to get across on the past two crossings, South to north. Single boat operating on both occasions, one a Thursday, and the other Saturday. 50 minutes is too long but I wasn't in a rush.
A few observations; 1. People not pulling up to the vehicle in front. So a few more cars could always get onboard. It takes 30 minutes for a single boat to load up and return to take its next load, so thanks to these bad eggs that's a few more drivers waiting another 30 minutes to get across. There would need to be extra staff to police this. 2.A few drivers keeping their engines running during the whole wait time. This ought to be stopped, or at least advised against with some notices. 3. Theres a holding area - I hadn't known this, until I was directed into it on the Thursday crossing. It holds about 2 or 3 ferry loads of vehicles but you can't see it from the road so join the queue with no idea of knowing how long the wait might be. Some electronic boards indicating wait time would help.
Great service if it works well, and should be enhanced. Good luck to the staff in their dispute. We only have three other crossing points in the whole of the east side of London; Rotherhithe, Blackwell and Dartford, and this is the more industrial and residential side of London. I couldn't imagine this situation being tolerated in the west.
Has taken me 50 minutes to get across on the past two crossings, South to north. Single boat operating on both occasions, one a Thursday, and the other Saturday. 50 minutes is too long but I wasn't in a rush.
A few observations; 1. People not pulling up to the vehicle in front. So a few more cars could always get onboard. It takes 30 minutes for a single boat to load up and return to take its next load, so thanks to these bad eggs that's a few more drivers waiting another 30 minutes to get across. There would need to be extra staff to police this. 2.A few drivers keeping their engines running during the whole wait time. This ought to be stopped, or at least advised against with some notices. 3. Theres a holding area - I hadn't known this, until I was directed into it on the Thursday crossing. It holds about 2 or 3 ferry loads of vehicles but you can't see it from the road so join the queue with no idea of knowing how long the wait might be. Some electronic boards indicating wait time would help.
Great service if it works well, and should be enhanced. Good luck to the staff in their dispute. We only have three other crossing points in the whole of the end side of London; Rotherhithe, Blackwell and Dartford, and this is the more industrial and residential side of London. I couldn't imagine this situation being tolerated in the west.
50 mins? Christ. Does it go Woolwich to Gravesend now?
ADVANCE WARNING There is planned strike action tomorrow on the Woolwich Ferry. If it goes ahead, drivers should use alternative routes and can plan their journey through our website. The Woolwich Foot Tunnel will remain open for foot passengers and cyclists. https://twitter.com/TfLTrafficNews
ADVANCE WARNING There is planned strike action tomorrow on the Woolwich Ferry. If it goes ahead, drivers should use alternative routes and can plan their journey through our website. The Woolwich Foot Tunnel will remain open for foot passengers and cyclists. https://twitter.com/TfLTrafficNews
Sadiq Khan: “The ferries aren’t good enough. They were supposed to be good enough, but they haven’t been. Hands up, we’ve dropped the ball on this. They are energy-efficient, hybrid ferries, but in my view, there are basic problems in how they dock on to one side of the river compared to the other."
Mayoral election coming up, Sadiq has to be seen to be doing something, and by doing this he can a) blame the private contractor (they might be rubbish but it's a convenient scapegoat) b) show he is doing something
If it's just as bad when operated by TfL, we won't find out until after the election!
Comments
A couple of miles along the river walk is a cable car that also crosses the river.
Go on, I dare you.
A few observations;
1. People not pulling up to the vehicle in front. So a few more cars could always get onboard. It takes 30 minutes for a single boat to load up and return to take its next load, so thanks to these bad eggs that's a few more drivers waiting another 30 minutes to get across. There would need to be extra staff to police this.
2.A few drivers keeping their engines running during the whole wait time. This ought to be stopped, or at least advised against with some notices.
3. Theres a holding area - I hadn't known this, until I was directed into it on the Thursday crossing. It holds about 2 or 3 ferry loads of vehicles but you can't see it from the road so join the queue with no idea of knowing how long the wait might be. Some electronic boards indicating wait time would help.
Great service if it works well, and should be enhanced. Good luck to the staff in their dispute. We only have three other crossing points in the whole of the east side of London; Rotherhithe, Blackwell and Dartford, and this is the more industrial and residential side of London. I couldn't imagine this situation being tolerated in the west.
Does it go Woolwich to Gravesend now?
What H&S fuckwit has decided this one? And safety glasses ???
https://twitter.com/TfLTrafficNews
Sadiq Khan: “The ferries aren’t good enough. They were supposed to be good enough, but they haven’t been. Hands up, we’ve dropped the ball on this. They are energy-efficient, hybrid ferries, but in my view, there are basic problems in how they dock on to one side of the river compared to the other."
https://853.london/2019/11/07/sadiq-khan-admits-20m-woolwich-ferry-vessels-arent-good-enough/
Labour in a nutshell.
Two words, "More bridges"
a) blame the private contractor (they might be rubbish but it's a convenient scapegoat)
b) show he is doing something
If it's just as bad when operated by TfL, we won't find out until after the election!