Peruvian Wharf is set for a return to cargo handling after we
acquired the site following a long battle over its planning status.

The strategically important site
will be developed as a riverbound distribution centre for building materials in East London. It has been ‘protected’ since 1997,
under the London Mayor’s policy to safeguard wharves for cargo handling.

We stepped in and bought the
site after Peruvian Wharf's former landowner failed to reintroduce cargo handling.

PLA chief executive Robin Mortimer said: “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,
reduce air pollution and improve local people’s quality of life.”

We plan to build a new access road to the site, before letting 
it to Brett Group, the construction materials firm. Brett will open 
an integrated terminal on the site, expected to be operational in
late 2017.

Deputy Mayor for Transport Val Shawcross welcomed the news, adding that it could keep around 150,000 lorry trips off London roads. She said: “We look forward to seeing Peruvian Wharf back
in use and serving construction projects in East London as soon as possible.”

Fifty wharves on the Thames
have been 'safeguarded' for use
by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, following advice by
us and the London Mayor.

Peruvian Wharf is one of three vacant wharves that we have sought to bring back into
long-term cargo handling use,
as was highlighted in our recently published Thames Vision.

The others are Hurlingham
Wharf in Hammersmith &
Fulham (currently being used
for the Thames Tideway Tunnel project) and Orchard Wharf
in Tower Hamlets.

Tributes have poured in from all over
the world for sea pilot Gordon Coates, who tragically died in October while boarding a cargo ship near Gravesend Reach. Much-missed Gordon, 63, worked for almost 20 years as a pilot and Duty Port Controller (DPC) at the Port of London Authority.

The accident shook the river and pilotage community to its core. Messages of sympathy have been
sent by pilotage organisations, port authorities, friends and colleagues. They included tributes from Italy,
New Zealand, Australia, Panama,
USA, France, Ireland and
Scandinavia. Gordon’s funeral was
held near his home in Forest of
Dean, Gloucester. Hundreds of PLA colleagues made the trip to pay their respects. The moving service finished with a song, chosen by his wife
Lorna, “Don’t Pay the Ferryman” by Chris de Burgh, as a fitting reminder
of Gordon’s irreverent and playful character.

At the same time, in Gravesend, a moving wreath-laying ceremony took place, with prayers led by Rev Frans Sahetapy and Rev Wojciech Holbub
of Tilbury Seafarers Centre. Pilot
cutter Patrol made its way to
midstream between Gravesend and Tilbury and pilot Andy Sime gently placed the wreath into the tidal
Thames. A passing Svitzer tug
sounded its horn as a mark of respect.

A Marine Accident Investigation
Branch report into the accident,
which happened as Gordon tried to board cargo ship Sumni, is expected
in the New Year.