River bus services linking Putney with central London are in line for a boost thanks to a new Thames transport agreement. 

Over 30 organisations including Wandsworth, other riverside boroughs, boat operators, pier owners and Transport for London (TfL) have signed up to a river Concordat which will aim to promote and develop river transport.  

A key objective for the new partnership is to improve the frequency of the existing service between Putney Pier and central London.   Other priorities include integrating river services with the Oyster payment system, expanding the fleet of ferries and developing existing and new piers to improve public access to Thames. 

Richard Tracey, the assembly member for Merton and Wandsworth says that the Mayor’s decision to expand river transport was evidence that the argument “is flowing” his way on the future use of the Thames.

Mr Tracey, said moves that will see Oyster accepted on river services from November and the River Concordat signed between boat operators, Transport for London and every council that fronts the river is all very promising in terms of expanding the service upstream to Putney.

Commenting, Mr Tracey said, “At last we’re making progress towards utilising the river to somewhere near its full potential. For the first time we’ve got all the players integral to developing the Thames as a comprehensive and integrated part of London’s public transport system talking to each other about how to move forward. I predict that it is now only a matter of time before we see regular boat services extended upstream to Putney, for which I am campaigning and believe will give a boost to the choice and capacity offered by public transport to my constituents. In the meantime I encourage people to use the river to get about. The more popular it becomes, the stronger the case for expansion.“

Cllr Guy Senior, Wandsworth Transport spokesman says the Concordat heralds a more coordinated approach to developing Thames travel.

 “We look forward to working with our partners to improve river transport in Wandsworth.  We would welcome proposals to extend regular, faster services to Putney which has long been part of our transport strategy.  Concrete commitments have been made for services in central London and it is important that we press for the benefits to extend to Wandsworth. “Investing in river transport will enable more residents to enjoy this pleasant alternative to road, tube or overground travel and will ease the strain on our commuter network.   

“Recent growth in riverside housing has created new demand for river transport and we have worked with developers in our borough to ensure these communities have easy access to the water.  For example the recently completed Riverside Quarter in Wandsworth includes a pier and plans for the Battersea Power Station development also incorporate river access. “There is a great deal of work to be done but we hope that this new joint strategy will help to revive transport on our great waterway and revive the use of the Thames for many Londoners’.” 

Local MP Justine Greening said, "It would be fantastic to get better river services for Putney and this is a step towards that.  Lots of residents already use the existing services, but if we could increase the frequency, then that could relieve some of the overcrowding we have on our tube and train services.  That's why Richard Tracey AM and myself and local councillors have been so keen to push for these improvements."  

Private sector partners will be approached to invest in new piers and better infrastructure.  Other plans include improving signage at piers and railway stations to help people realise the availability and benefits of river travel. Many of the service upgrades will be in place in time for the Olympic and Paralympic Games to help the capital’s transport system to cope with a sharp rise in visitors.