Woolwich Ferry
From Roader's Digest: The SABRE Wiki
| Woolwich Ferry | |||
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| From : | North Woolwich | ||
| To : | Woolwich | ||
| Operator : | Serco on behalf of Transport for London | ||
| On road : | A117, A2204 | ||
| Toll : | Free | ||
| Open Date : | 1889 | ||
| Location : | TQ432795 | ||
| Length : | 1422 yards (1300 metres) | ||
| County: | Kent | ||
| Authority | |||
| Greenwich • Newham | |||
| Forward Destination Roads | |||
| A205, A406 | |||
| Next Primary Destinations | |||
| Dagenham • Ilford • Lewisham | |||
| Other Nearby Primary Destinations | |||
| Barking • Bexleyheath | |||
| Location Map (geohack) | |||
The Woolwich Ferry, from Woolwich to North Woolwich, is the eastern Crossing linking London's North and South Circular roads. It was first operated in 1889 by the London County Council.
Classified in 1923 as the A117, it was operated by the LCC until 1965 when control was transferred to the Greater London Council. After the abolition of the GLC, the operation was transferred to Greenwich Council who ran it until the end of September 2008. Today it is operated by Serco on behalf of Transport for London.
The crossing is completely free and operated by a fleet of three ferries, though a maximum of only two are in service at any one time. At quiet times and weekends, the service is reduced to one boat. The crossing takes about five minutes in normal conditions, but waiting times can be considerably in excess of this, especially if the Blackwall Tunnel or Dartford Crossing are closed. In those circumstances, waiting times of over two hours are not uncommon. The present boats began service in 1963 with the new piers completed two years later.
If the Thames Gateway Crossing is built or the proposed Gallions Reach-Thamesmead ferry is instituted then the Woolwich Ferry may be withdrawn, although this would require an act of parliament.
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