The revitalisation of Peruvian
Wharf as a cargo-handling site
is forging ahead – as builders
are just a few months away from completing an access road on
the site.

Kent firm FM Conway has been using 38-tonne cranes to carefully rid the site of almost 100,000 tonnes of waste and the vast majority of material has then been shifted by river.

Late last year the Port of London Authority stepped in to buy the east London wharf for £3 million, ensuring that it will continue to be a centre for cargo handling.

An access road to the site, measuring more than 280 metres is well underway. Drainage systems, an electricity substation and access points for phone and internet are also being installed.

FM Conway contracts manager Grant Lemmon said: “The job is well on track and basically comes in two stages. Firstly, we need to remove 100,000 tonnes of crushed waste material from the site. In this case the river frontage is a real advantage, enabling us to move a large proportion of waste by river.

“The second stage is then to
build the route into the site itself
from its access point at North
Woolwich Road.”

Grant added that it’s a big job overall and using the tidal Thames to shift waste was a no-brainer.

“Two barges leave the wharf every day, laden with more than 2,500 tonnes of waste", he said. “You get around 20 tonnes on a single lorry, so it’s easy to see just how much sense it makes to use the river.”

Now that the Silvertown wharf is being brought back into use, it will be let on a long-term lease to building materials specialists the Brett Group. Its integrated terminal at Peruvian Wharf is expected to be operational later this year. Other potential tenants for the site are in talks with the PLA.