The Port of London Authority is working with the Greater London Authority and Transport for London on new research to develop an Air Quality Strategy for the tidal Thames. It will focus on the air quality impact of operations on London’s river and how emissions can be further reduced.

Recent studies show that thousands of deaths in the UK every year are caused by air quality related illnesses. And as ‘custodians’ of the tidal Thames, the PLA is taking its responsibility seriously – as was outlined in our 20-year Thames Vision. It foresees more passenger journeys, more activity on the river and our ambition – highlighted in the Vision – is for that growth to be as sustainable as possible.

The new strategy is
looking at a broad range
of measures to improve
air quality, including:

The environmental
benefits of shore
power
Comparing data on
carbon used in
road journeys vs river journeys
(by commercial operators)
Quantifying emissions on
certain sections of the river.

Our chief executive Robin
Mortimer said: “This initial document sets out the work we
are doing to establish the baseline for vessel emissions on the
Thames and to explore options
for reducing emissions.

“We will continue to develop
this work further, as the evidence base improves.

TV funnyman Bill Bailey has had a paddle board named in his honour
– and it was developed on the tidal Thames.

The stand-up comedian, who’s
well-known for his love of stand up paddleboarding, launched the

‘Billboard’ at Fulham Reach Boat Club in Hammersmith.

Designed by Danish design duo Kira and Soren Strange, the Billboard
was also the result of vital input
from Active 360 paddleboarding
guru Paul Hynam.

He said: “Bill started paddling with
us about three years ago and he
used to have quite a big board that wasn’t that fast. He was looking for something that could handle the
River Thames well and be good for longer trips.

“We tried the Billboard out on the
tidal Thames, and in Norway, Indonesia, Slovenia, Denmark and Scotland, among other places and we’ve all been really happy with it.
Bill is happy too.

“It’s unlike most paddleboards in
that it’s got rescue handles, a compass, lights front and back
and lots of reflective strips too.”

The new, “high end” board goes
on general sale soon and costs
around £1,600.

“Our work on an air quality plan for the city’s river is complemented by the UK’s first port charges discount for cleaner cargo ships.

“We introduced this from the start of this year and, already, more than 20 ships a month are qualifying for the lower charges.”

It’s hoped the strategy will identify measures that can be taken to continue improving air quality on the Thames, as well as outlining more areas for research.