Member Article

Port of London plot 'low-carbon transport' centre following £3m acquisition

The Port of London Authority (PLA) is planning to reinvigorate a protected wharf in East London as part of its long-term strategy to get some of the capital’s wharves back into use.

Peruvian Wharf in Newham will be transformed into a centre for low-carbon transport of building materials as part of PLA’s Thame’s Vision plan for London’s network of wharves and waterways.

The PLA completed the £3m acquisition of the site, which has lain dormant since 1997, after a protracted battle over the wharf’s planning status saw the former landowner fail to reactivate the site for cargo-handling.

PLA Chief Executive, Robin Mortimer, commented: “We’ve fought long and hard to get Peruvian Wharf back into use.

“It’s ideally placed to service East London’s growth, underlining the importance of retaining strategically located sites for cargo handling.

“The river will play a key role in servicing the construction of at least 260,000 new homes and communities, offering 360,000 jobs.

“This will help keep tens of thousands of lorries off London’s roads every year, reducing air pollution and improving local people’s quality of life.”

PLA are planning to construct a new access route to the site, before letting the wharf on a long-term lease to the construction and building materials firm the Brett Group, who construct an integrated terminal at Peruvian Wharf due to open in late 2017.

Over 50 of London’s wharves have been protected for cargo-handling by the Secretary of State for Transport, under advice from the PLA and the Mayor of London.

Peruvian Wharf, Hurlingham Wharf in Hammersmith & Fulham, which currently being used for the Tideway ‘super sewer’ project and Orchard Wharf in Tower Hamlets form the three vacant wharves which were promoted as part of PLA’s Thames Vision to get strategic wharves back into long-term use.

Deputy Mayor for Transport, Val Shawcross added: “Over two million tonnes of cargo are moved between wharves on the Thames each year. This keeps more than 150,000 lorry trips off London’s roads, reducing congestion and pollution.

“We look forward to seeing Peruvian Wharf back in use and serving construction projects in East London as soon as possible.”

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