Petition on pier at Putney

[Skysail]

I am sure river users at Putney would appreciate your help with this

Sign the Petition

it is about a long pier applied for by Fulham football club at Putney. This would seriously hamper river sports and river users.

Fulham Football Club wants to build a pier that will extend 85 metres into the middle of river.
It will create a significant navigational obstruction at a location that is already a natural bottleneck especially at low tide.
This is one of the most busy stretches of water for boating activities in the UK given the rowing, sailing and sea cadets/scouts clubs nearby.
It is an important sporting and recreational venue for schools, youngsters and adults who wish to learn something new, and for local, national and international racing.
The pier will pose a dangerous hazard as boats converge to avoid it in constricted, tidal waters. Risks of collision, serious injury and death will escalate.
In addition, the pier will service passenger ferries whose regular schedules will extend up river from their present limit at Putney Bridge, thereby encroaching into this busy boating area.
Their bulk and limited manoeuvrability increase the navigational hazards. On match days, these ferries will be backed up along the river awaiting a berth to offload their passengers.
Each ferry will need to turn around to go back down river; they will block most of the river on every occasion compounding the navigational dangers.
Today's sporting and recreational use of the river will be destroyed.
The clubs are unanimous, please help us to save our unique water-borne complex, something that has helped to define our community in south west London for over 100 years.
Save Our Sports on the River, and Stop the Pier by signing this petition.

 

[oldgit]

Sounds to me a green way of getting folks to and from the ground other than by car and would provide employment ?
It could well get a few commuters beyond Putney into town quickly and more pleasantly than undeground or bus.
Suspect the locals living nearbye might be in favour as well to relieve vehicle congestion would imagine car parking must be a right pain on match days
Having transited that particular area frequently each year can only ever remember seeing rowers in that stretch of water and perhaps the odd small sailing boat or two in this "busy area"
Bouyed channel at end of the pier for powered craft only and another for rowers etc hard against against the Barns Elms Boat House bank.

 

[Skysail]

 

[oldgit]

Many clubs have Rallys and Races on constricted parts of rivers once or twice a year and seem to manage without drama.
Henley for one.
The red line is approx 80 metres long ?

"Risks of collision, serious injury and death will escalate. "
Google fails to produce any death due to collision on the river involving a rower, a leaky boat and sad medical event in 2016.

 

[Capt Popeye]

Well I recall Putney as having a few Rowing Clubs , Sailing Clubs, Boatbuilders , Boatyards , Sea Cadets , an Annual Boat Race (on TV) , craft moorings , so no idea anyone cruising past did not notice them ? or any of them ? even one of them ?

Maybe any Skipper not noticing them had their Noses in the Air , poss following the Gin ? {#

Signed the petition , of course

 

[Capt Popeye]

Yep if current activity is to be honored , the Footy might attract a Russia Owner , poss comming to Putney by Submarine , see East Coast Forum and Felixstowe Russian Submarine activity {#

 

[Capt Popeye]

"Risks of collision, serious injury and death will escalate. "
Google fails to produce any death due to collision on the river involving a rower, a leaky boat and sad medical event in 2016.

Maybe thats because the area operates safely as it is , without any added River obstruction ; might state that Boating and Footy are NOT compatable at any time , perish the thought

Re River Thames fatalities , guess one should look up the Marchiness , Speedboat Killer just as starters

 

[oldgit]

Not sure how the incident of when the trip boat Marchioness and commercial Dredger Bowbelle collided with the loss of 51 people is relevant.
How does the appalling speedboat incident which resulted in the death of young lady relate in any way to the subject under discussion.
Any links with rowers or rowing injured by any collisions, apart from each other, would be appeciated.
You might as well bring up the subject of the Princess Alice.
Well aware of the number of clubs lining the banks of the Thames in that stretch, go to great lengths to stay well out of their way and to avoid inconveniencing them with wash especially when they are launching.
Taking the boat up the Thames again this year , look forward to meeting you at Teddington this summer perhaps ?

 

[TrueBlue]

I dunno why this topic refers to Putney??? The pier or whatever is is on the Fulham side FFS and as a previous resident of Putney - I'd hae nothing to do with it, sniff.

 

[Bran]

Think I will abstain from signing, can see the benefits in encouraging more use of the river and is a more pleasant travel option. Can also see the local rowers and sailing club are really concerned but I am not familiar enough with what goes on there. If there is sufficient control of the proposed Uber boats then it could be a good idea. Not travelled that part of the river often but when I have it’s always been dead quiet.

 

[Outinthedinghy]

There was quite a nice visitor pontoon put in just above Kew bridge some years ago but due to canoe club complaints about the potential for canoes to be drawn under it on the tide it was eventually dismantled by MSO.

I did stop on it once and it was quite a nice item but to be fair it was rather close to the bridge and the argument about tidal flow and danger to small craft was relevant. Plus the only users seemed to be Canada geese.

If the Fulham thing is a proper publicly useable river boat service (clippers?) then I would say that the benefit overall is greater than the disadvantage to any nimbys .

Anyone claiming a health and safety hazard to small craft would need to demonstrate that they would be in that particular part of the River at the time.

I don't know how close it is to where rowers break away but if it is close then it could well be a major hazard in which case presumably a proper study has been carried out and presented to the consultation.

If it's just nimby then bugger off and learn to live with change.

 

[Pump-Out]

Thing is, chaps, it ain't just a Clipper Berth, more of a floating entertainment centre.
Savour the day at Fulham Pier

IMHO it sticks out too far; on the days there are Head of the River Races there are many, many crews rowing that reach, and there is a far point over commercial craft turning in that area. The current works at Fulham FC justify a marked exclusion zone and a guard boat. This would indicate that the PLA do consider it a pinch point.

As ever, a compromise will be found, I suspect.

 

[thamesS23]

think its a great idea, Love a good away day in London, so would be good to arrive at Fulham by boat

 

[oldgit]

A river needs to live and to change to survive.
Because it has become the de facto playground by default for a particular section of the boating community , should they be allowed to have a veto on who else is able to have enjoyment of the river.
Is this good time to bring up the subject of who contributes to the up keep of the River.
Pretty certain the taxpayer is involved somehere as are The PLA, The EA and a good slice from 8000 registered craft beyond Teddington.
How much do the rowing clubs contribute in fees and dues towards the up keep of the navigation.

 

[st599]

Thing is, chaps, it ain't just a Clipper Berth, more of a floating entertainment centre.
Savour the day at Fulham Pier
IMHO it sticks out too far;

That's not the pier in question, that's the brand name for the new stand at Craven Cottage, which will be open on non-match days. That's already got planning permission to extend in to the river.

 

[dankilb]

That's not the pier in question, that's the brand name for the new stand at Craven Cottage, which will be open on non-match days. That's already got planning permission to extend in to the river.

Was just going to say, I do somewhat object to the idea that a Clipper/Uber pier needs a swimming pool!!!

 

[Capt Popeye]

WEll thinking about this proposed project , its very clear that its a sort of 'land grab' although mainly on the water ; I always oppose there 'grabs' on principle , we have them down ere in the South West , house /property buyers with river frontage trying (and suceeding sometimes) to 'grab' the adjoining riverside frontage thence the acess to the river . Its a real problem for sure .

My understanding is that its quite unnecessary to take a new Pontoon , Pier etc out far into the river at all , its scoured out pretty well by natural forces as it is ; So just building a Quayside would allow Tripper Boats to berth for passengers very well . Mind you cannot see that encouraging passengers to travel into central Lonon to take a river trip outa London is GREEN in any WAY ?

Sorry to read of so many Boating peoples thinking that this sort of idea could bring good to the area at all , but then again , its peoples, eh ?

Best of luck with your preventative actions Mr Skysail , hope your sucessfull in opposition .

 

[Pump-Out]

My understanding is that its quite unnecessary to take a new Pontoon , Pier etc out far into the river at all , its scoured out pretty well by natural forces as it is ; So just building a Quayside would allow Tripper Boats to berth for passengers very well .

Not really,
There is an area off the football club called "Fulham Flats" that dries out around two hours either side of low water, and is blinking shallow four hours either side of low water, give or take.

 

[Capt Popeye]

Not really,
There is an area off the football club called "Fulham Flats" that dries out around two hours either side of low water, and is blinking shallow four hours either side of low water, give or take.

Yep quite so , all the more reason to Dredge it out , then Build a Quay , wharf , frequent use of Craft should ensure its kept reasonably to a useable depth ; OR , arrange all Footy Matches to the tide access , = simples {#

 

[Outinthedinghy]

Or deliver the fans in something like this: