The British canal system of water transport played a vital role in the United Kingdom's Industrial Revolution at a time when roads were only just emerging from the medieval mud and long trains of packhorses were the only means of "mass" transit by road of raw materials and finished products. The UK was the first country to develop a nationwide canal network.
The Port of London Authority (PLA) is a self-funding public trust established on 31 March 1909 in accordance with the Port of London Act 1908 to govern the Port of London. Its responsibility extends over the Tideway of the River Thames and its continuation. It maintains and supervises navigation, and protects the river's environment.
The Woolwich Ferry is a free vehicle and pedestrian ferry across the River Thames in East London, connecting Woolwich on the south bank with North Woolwich on the north. It is licensed and financed by London River Services, the maritime arm of Transport for London (TfL). The service is operated by Briggs Marine under contract to TfL and carries both foot passengers and vehicles. Around two million passengers use the ferry each year.
St Katharine Docks is a former dock and now a mixed-used district in Central London, in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and within the East End. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, immediately downstream of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. From 1828 to 1968 it was one of the commercial docks that made up the Port of London. It is in the redevelopment zone known as Docklands, and is now a popular housing and leisure complex.
London River Services Limited is a division of Transport for London (TfL), which manages passenger transport—leisure-oriented tourist services and commuter services—on the River Thames in London. It does not own or operate any boats itself, but licenses the services of operators.
Tower Millennium Pier is a pier on the River Thames, in Tower Hill, London, UK. It is operated by London River Services and served by various river transport and cruise operators. The pier is close to Tower Bridge and is situated immediately adjacent to the southwest corner of the Tower of London.
Thames Clippers is a river bus service on the River Thames in London.
A waterman is a river worker who transfers passengers across and along city centre rivers and estuaries in the United Kingdom and its colonies. Most notable are those on the River Thames and River Medway, but other rivers such as the River Tyne and River Dee, Wales, also had their watermen who formed guilds in medieval times..
London has an extensive and developed transport network which includes both private and public services. Journeys made by public transport systems account for 37% of London's journeys while private services accounted for 36% of journeys, walking 24% and cycling 2%. London's public transport network serves as the central hub for the United Kingdom in rail, air and road transport.
A boat service is regularly scheduled transport using one or more boats, typically on a river, at a set charge, normally depending on the length of the trip and the type of passenger. The service may only be available for foot passengers.
Canary Wharf is a London River Services pier on the River Thames in Canary Wharf, London. It is located next to Westferry Circus.
City Cruises is a limited company that operates scheduled public sightseeing cruises on the River Thames in London, serving Westminster, London Eye, Tower and Greenwich piers every day throughout the year. It operates the services mainly using purpose-built wheelchair-accessible 'RiverLiner' vessels, which have a large open top deck and enclosed lower saloon with panoramic windows and bars, backed up by some ex-Paris single-deck conservatory-style sightseeing boats. The company also owns a number of other boats with which it provides a variety of private charter and dining cruises on the River Thames. City Cruises offers a variety of dining cruises throughout the year such as Afternoon Tea Cruise, London Showboat Dinner Cruise and the Jazz Cruise, and also owns and operates the Restaurant Ship Hispaniola, which is permanently moored alongside Victoria Embankment close to Embankment Underground station in central London.
Bateaux London is a restaurant cruise experience on the River Thames in London, England. The company specialises in scheduled restaurant cruises and private charters with on-board catering and live music entertainment. Bateaux London cruises operate on the Thames under licence from London River Services, part of Transport for London.
Thames River Sightseeing (TRS) are a tour company providing sightseeing cruises on the River Thames in London. Thames River Services operate on the Thames under licence from London River Services, part of Transport for London.
Crown River Cruises is a river boat company which provides leisure cruises on the River Thames in London, United Kingdom. Crown River Cruises operate on the Thames under licence from London River Services, part of Transport for London.
Lower Thames and Medway Passenger Boat Company is a river boat company which provides cruises on the River Thames in Gravesend and London, UK. Bateaux London cruises operate on the Thames under licence from London River Services, part of Transport for London.
Blackfriars Millennium Pier is a pier on the River Thames, in the Blackfriars area of the City of London, United Kingdom. It is served by boats operating under licence from London River Services and is situated on the north bank of the Thames, adjacent to Blackfriars Bridge.
St. Katharine's Pier is a river transport pier on the River Thames, in London, UK. It is owned & operated by Woods River Cruises Ltd trading as Woods’ Silver Fleet and served by various river transport and cruise operators.
Livett's Launches is a boat hire company on London's River Thames. The company specialises in filming and marine services, marine logistics, pier bookings and private and ticketed charters along the River Thames in London, United Kingdom.
Reading's location in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some 40 miles (64 km) west of London has made the town an important location in the nation's transport system.
