The new facility has been designed by Charles Haswell and Partners as an operational facility which can also accommodate 1,000 tonne ships. It will stand on pairs of large steel tubular piles with precast concrete crossbeams, precast, pre-stressed concrete deck beams and an in-situ reinforced concrete deck. The area will be significantly reduced from the current size but will extend slightly further into the river.

A 70 tonne boat lift will be installed to enable PLA craft to be lifted out of the water at high tide. An additional 40 tonne hydraulic ship's crane will also be provided at the jetty head, which will be sufficient to lift any of the PLA's launches at any state of tide, plus all operational equipment lifts.

Berthing facilities for PLA Marine Services craft and other PLA boats undergoing engineering repairs and servicing will be provided at the new facility by using one of the former Tower Pier pontoons used in central London until the end of 1999.

Once commissioned, the PLA will seek to defray costs through commercial use of the boat lifter and crane where appropriate on behalf of other river users.

MJ Information No: 17002