Hello Ed,The distance from Putney Bridge Station is the only one I could find on Google!In my view, there are no environmental benefits to the ferry being extended. As you say, the distance between Putney Pier and the proposed pier by FFC is minimal and does not justify the amount of biofuel they are using; they only switch to batteries when they enter Central London. You probably have seen the document that shows four ferries going from Putney Bridge, manoeuvring to enter the pier and returning. The pier is virtually to the "middle" of the river and the ferries virtually occupy the rest of the river in doing their manoeuvres.While you can say biofuel is more environmentally friendly than fossil fuels, there does not appear to be much benefit from the proposed pier for one weekday match and a weekend match every other weekend. Unless, of course, FFC wishes to open their ground floor bar to outsiders too, when there will be a non-stop Putney Pier-FFC pier to transport people.Does the distance justify it? Not in my view, unless some of the shareholders at the club wish to travel on the river to the Club. Then, where do they moor their boats so they do not interfere with the ferry route?Then you have the rowing and sailing clubs on Putney Embankment. A pier by the FFC, with the proportions proposed, will hinder in a great way all rowing and sailing activities in the area because the room available for them to row or sail will be reduced to very little, particularly during low tide. So, there is a great danger that those clubs will close, for the benefit of one football club. Should the river be used more, or enjoyed more by everyone? I do think so. The problem with ferries vs rowing boats is the size of the ferries and the wash from them which will endanger the life of rowers. Also, there are rules as to which side of the river you can sail or row (unless you are in the Boat Race of course), more so in Central London. In this case, most people would be able to row/sail towards Hammersmith but no come back (or vice versa), which defeats the purpose!
Ivonne Holliday ● 1168d