TfL have submitted an application for Planning Permission in relation to a cross-Thames Cable Car.
The application, which can be found on the Newham Borough Council website, provides some provisional details of the scheme:
Erection of a cable car for the length of 1,100m over the River Thames from North Woolwich Peninsula to Royals Victoria Dock at a minimum clearance of 54.1m above mean high water springs, consisting of:
– a north main tower (to a maximum height of 93m AOD) at Clyde Wharf (north west of Bell Lane) and a north intermediate tower (to a maximum height of 66m AOD) to south west of DLR and Silvertown Way/Dock Road to support the gondola cable and communication cable;
– a two storey station (incorporating mechanical drive room, concourse, ticket office, an retail space on ground floor, and gondola arrival and departure platform on first floor) and associated compression tower,(to a maximum height of 17m height AOD) and boat impact protection within Royal Victoria Dock and associated works to the public realm between Western Gateway and Royal Victoria Dock including raising the dock edge and provision of a kiosk (comprising 14m2 of floor space and sub-station)
(THIS APPLICATION IS SUBJECT TO AN ‘ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT, AFFECTING THE SETTING OF A LISTED BUILDING AND IS A DEPARTURE FROM THE UNITARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN).
The above details appear to place it in the position indicated on the early concept map we featured earlier this year, alongside a (very) early internal concept image (both of which are replicated below).
Whilst this obviously doesn’t mean the scheme will definitely go ahead, it does seem to indicate there is more to it than mere smoke and mirrors. Mwmbwls took a detailed look at the possibility of the Thames Cable Car when this particular consultation was first revealed. As he concluded then:
Without wishing to pretend to be a systems engineering guru, (As Peter Drucker once said – “Journalists call me a guru because they can’t spell charlatan”) [the likelihood of the scheme being a success] hinges on mobilising and managing the stakeholders. If that does not happen the project will fail at about the same time the Mayor needs “Brioche et Circenses” to satisfy an electorate sharpening their little blue pencils.
– Securing the financial backing necessary is integral to the process as is having a system that has a clearly defined and broadly accepted purpose. A clear vision of what this will and will not do is essential.
– Learning from and applying the experience of others in terms of technology and project management.
– Recognising that stakeholders are anybody who can impact on your project in any way is important. In the Mayor’s case, I would take especial care to make sure that the Port of London Authority and the Civil Aviation Authority are on board. In the case of the former, it might not be tactful to dwell too long on your aspirations to draw them into the Mayoral remit. The DfT will have an interest in granting a TWA, Orders under the power that relate to operation of an inland waterway and certain types of works that interfere with rights of navigation in waters up to the limits of the territorial sea. These include bridges, piers, barrages, tunnels, offshore wind farms and so on. (They don’t mention cable cars but I am sure they would be deemed to be within scope.).
Finally it will all come down to what purposes is this project intended to meet – predominantly tourist – predominantly commuter – or a coalition of the two. This is a question that needs to be explicitly addressed during the current consultation process because of the design implications.
Those interested can find that post here.
Thanks to darryl1974 over at 853 for the spot.
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