Rowers Opposing Plans for New Putney Pier
Say Thames Clippers' plans would render embankment unusable
The current pier at Putney. Picture: George Rex
There is growing opposition from local rowers to a proposal for a new pier in Putney which would cater to larger commuter ferries.
Uber Boat by Thames Clipper want to upgrade the existing facilities by Putney Embankment to increase the capacity of its services. Calls have been made from local users of the services for greater regularity and the schedule to be extended to the weekends.
However, some users of the nearby boathouses say that the plan could make it impossible for rowing activities to continue particularly for young and novice rowers. A number of schools operate from the site including Westminster, King’s College Wimbledon and Dulwich and it is the home of the Thames Rowing club which has been at this location since 1860.
The proposed pier would be near the starting point of the University Boat Race and is also used for a number of regattas throughout the year. It would be sited next to the existing pier just west of Putney Bridge.
An article in The Times quotes Erin Kennedy, the Paralympian gold medallist, writing in objection to the proposal, “It would seriously impact all social rowing on the Tideway, including the boat races and all domestic regattas. It cannot be allowed to proceed.”
Mark Davies, chairman of British Rowing, the sport’s national governing body, said the pier and Uber Boat service would make it difficult to launch and land boats adding that the proposed pier “renders that bit of water useless to rowers, or at least dangerous to rowers”.
He continued, “This is the most active rowing course for racing . . . for 150 years plus.
“[The pier] puts the whole thing under threat. Unless you are a very experienced river user, I can see that there is an accident waiting to happen, and that means the 15 boathouses on that section are not going to be able to attract new people.
“I do not see how those boathouses are viable if this goes ahead.”
Guy Pooley, an Olympic rower and head of rowing at Eton College, also objected to the proposal, saying, “The position of this new pier and the consequent activity around it will adversely affect the ability of the local rowing clubs to operate safely in that area.”
The Putney Society has backed the proposed pier if it led to improved river bus services.
Uber Boats by Thames Clipper has given details of its safety record in a document submitted with the application in which it says that it has operated 4,680 boat trips a year since 2013 without an accident.
There were similar objections to its earlier proposal for a new pier outside Fulham Football club which Putney’s MP Fleur Anderson said could endanger the future of the University Boat Race on the Thames.
Uber Boat by Thames Clipper has been asked for comment.
The planning application will be considered by Wandsworth Council.
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August 26, 2022