Gravesend Town Pier | |
Type | Boat passenger pier |
---|---|
Carries | Pedestrians |
Spans | River Thames |
Official name | Gravesend Town Pier |
Owner | Uber Boat by Thames Clippers |
Maintained by | Gravesham Borough Council |
Characteristics | |
Total length | 39 metres (127 ft) |
Width | 12 metres (40 ft) |
History | |
Designer | William Tierney Clark |
Constructor | William Wood [1] |
Coordinates | 51°26′43″N0°22′11″E / 51.4454°N 0.3697°E |
The Gravesend Town Pier is located in Gravesend, Kent. It was designed by William Tierney Clark and built in 1834 on the site of the earlier Town Quay. [2] Over 3 million passengers were served between 1835 and 1842, but around 1900, this pier fell into disuse due to the arrival of the railways.
In 2000, this site was restored by the Gravesham Borough Council, partly funded by the organisations English Heritage, English Partnerships, Heritage Lottery Fund, Kent County Council, and Manifold Trust. In 2002, this renovation project was finished. They had also added a restaurant and a bar to the pier. When reopened, the Gravesend Town Pier was initially successful, but it later became a fiscal failure.
Gravesend town pier is the oldest surviving cast iron pier in the world and is a Grade II* listed building. [3] [4]
Since 2012 the Gravesend–Tilbury Ferry has run from the Town Pier.
Unfortunately, the Gravesend to Tilbury ferry, operated by Jetstream Tours, is no longer in service. [5]
On 4 November 2022, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers announced that they had completed the purchase of the Pier, with an aim to operate a long-term River Bus service from Gravesend within 2-3 years. [6] In recent years they have operated select sailings into Central London during high season.
From 27th July 2024 to 29th September 2024, Thames Clippers will run services to London. [7]
It is the setting of the 2017 song "Gravesend Pier" by Gone Molly, which describes a scene of poverty and wealth in nineteenth century England. [8] [9]
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.
Gravesend is a town in northwest Kent, England, situated 21 miles (35 km) east-southeast of Charing Cross on the south bank of the River Thames and opposite Tilbury in Essex. Located in the diocese of Rochester, it is the administrative centre of the borough of Gravesham. Gravesend marks the eastern limit of the Greater London Built-up Area, as defined by the UK Office for National Statistics. In 2021 it had a population of 58,102.
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, except those of the Woolwich Ferry, but licenses the services of operators.
Tilbury is a port town in the borough of Thurrock, Essex, England. The present town was established as separate settlement in the late 19th century, on land that was mainly part of Chadwell St Mary. It contains a 16th century fort and an ancient cross-river ferry. Tilbury is part of the Port of London with a major deep-water port which contributes to the local economy. Situated 24 miles (38.5 km) east of central London and 23 miles (37 km) southwest of Southend-on-Sea, it is also the southernmost point in Essex.
Tower Pier is a pier on the River Thames, in Tower Hill, London, England and is located in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is operated by Uber Boat by Thames Clippers and served by various river transport and cruise operators. The pier is close to Tower Bridge and is situated in the immediately adjacent to the southwest corner of the Tower of London.
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is a set of river bus services on the River Thames in London, England.
MV Hythe Scene is a catamaran ferry operating on the Hythe ferry service. This service connects the town of Hythe and the city of Southampton, across Southampton Water in England.
Tilbury Riverside railway station is a closed railway station located in the town of Tilbury in the borough and unitary authority of Thurrock in Essex, England, south of a triangular junction on the railway between Tilbury Town and East Tilbury. The station was 22 miles 46 chains (36.33 km) down the line from London Fenchurch Street station via Rainham.
The Gravesend–Tilbury Ferry was a passenger ferry across the River Thames east of London. It was the last public crossing point before the Thames reached the sea.
Canary Wharf is a pier on the River Thames in Canary Wharf, London. It is located next to Westferry Circus.
Woolwich Pier, also known as the Royal Arsenal Pier, Woolwich, is a pier on the River Thames, at Woolwich in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, England. Designed by Beckett Rankine and built by Mowlem in 2002, the pier is operated by Uber Boat by Thames Clippers.
The Canary Wharf – Rotherhithe Ferry is a passenger ferry across the River Thames in the south east of London, England. The service connects Canary Wharf Pier, serving the major Canary Wharf office development north of the river, with Doubletree Docklands Nelson Dock Pier at the DoubleTree Docklands Hotel in Rotherhithe.
The Gravesend West Line was a short railway line in Kent that branched off the Swanley to Chatham line at Fawkham Junction and continued for a distance of 5 miles (8 km) to Gravesend where the railway company constructed a pier to connect trains with steamers. It was opened in 1886 and closed to passenger services in 1953, remaining open to freight until 1968 before reopening briefly between 1972 and 1976. Part of the railway's former alignment was incorporated into the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.
Gravesend West was a railway station on the Gravesend West Line which served Gravesend in Kent. It opened in 1886 and was, for some time, a regular destination for boat trains from London which linked with steamers on the station's pier to ferry passengers to a variety of coastal towns and resorts. The station closed in 1953 to passengers and later to freight in 1968. The only reminder of Gravesend West which remains today is its pier, the rest having been taken over by redevelopment in the area.
Lower Thames and Medway Passenger Boat Company was a river boat company which provided 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 Pier is a pier on the River Thames, in the Blackfriars area of the City of London, United Kingdom. It is served by boats operated by Uber Boat by Thames Clippers under licence from London River Services and is situated on the north bank of the Thames, adjacent to Blackfriars Bridge.
Doubletree Docklands Nelson Dock Pier is a pier on the south bank of the River Thames in Rotherhithe, London, UK. It lies to the south of Columbia Wharf.
Masthouse Terrace Pier is a pier on the River Thames on the Isle of Dogs in London, England. It is located at the end of Napier Avenue, off Westferry Road, at the southern end of the Isle of Dogs, and provides river bus services operated by Uber Boat by Thames Clippers.
Barking Riverside Pier is an Uber Boat by Thames Clippers commuter service pier located on the River Thames at Barking Riverside. Passenger services began on 26 April 2022. The pier provides interchange with Barking Riverside railway station and local bus routes. The pier was brought into use following a renovation of the reinforced concrete coaling jetty previously used by Barking Power Station.