Phase one of refurbishment works of four loading bridges at the Woolwich Ferry has been completed, Transport for London (TfL) and Briggs marine and Environmental Services have announced.

The work, which began in October last year, has been carried out to allow the bridges cope with an expected increase in vehicle weights in the next 10 years.

Andrew Thompson, Head of London River Services, said: "Phase one of this essential refurbishment project has now been successfully completed and I would like to thank our passengers for bearing with us during the work and for their continued patience during the second phase. We're working to ensure that the Woolwich Ferry service continues to operate for the foreseeable future as well as improving its reliability. In the meantime apologise for any disruptions to journeys."


The four loading bridges move up and down with the tides to allow ferries access to the pier and vehicles and pedestrians to get on and off. The loading bridges were built to the standards and requirements of the 1960's and, although well engineered, they now require strengthening for today's heavier vehicles.

As part of this work, the ferry service will be suspended for three hour periods daily from Monday 29 June till Monday 6 July (please see below for exact times). Scheduling of the work is dictated by water level and our ferries will not be able to dock for one and half hours either side of high tide.

The suspensions will be kept as short as possible in order to minimise disruption but in the event of extreme weather conditions there is a risk that they will be extended.

Service suspension times are predicted as follows:

In late June and early July 2015, the ferry service will be suspended at the following times

Monday 29 June - 10:45 - 13:45

Tuesday 30 June - 11:30 - 14:30

Wednesday 1 July - 12:30, 15:30

Thursday 2 July - 13:15 - 16:00

Friday 3 July - 14:00 - 17:00

Saturday 4 July -14:45 - 17:45

Sunday 5 July - Last crossing 15:15

Monday 6 July - service begins 06:50. No service after 16:00

The closures are timed around high tide and will allow work to continue on the movable link bridges that cannot be complete while the ferry is in operation.

(MH)