:Woolwich Ferry

File:Woolwich Ferry map.svg and South Circular Roads. The Woolwich foot tunnel runs alongside the ferry and the Docklands Light Railway parallels the route from King George V to Woolwich Arsenal.]]

The service links Woolwich in the Royal Borough of Greenwich with North Woolwich in the London Borough of Newham. It also links two ends of the inner London orbital road routes: the North Circular and the South Circular.{{cite map|title=East London, Billericay & Gravesend|publisher=Ordnance Survey|number=177|scale=1:50,000}}

On weekdays, the ferry operates from 6.10 am until 8 pm with a two-boat service (10 minutes nominal interval between sailings); on Saturdays, from 6.10 am to 8 pm with a one-boat service (15 minutes nominal interval; the last south-to-north sailing is 15 minutes earlier at 7.45 pm); on Sundays, from 11.30 am to 7.30 pm with a one-boat service (last south-to-north sailing at 7.15 pm).{{cite web|url=http://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/info/200078/public_transport/61/ferry_services|title=Ferry Services – Woolwich Ferry|date=April 2013|work=Royal Borough of Greenwich website|publisher=Royal Borough of Greenwich|access-date=23 August 2013}} The ferries can carry heavy goods vehicles and other road traffic across the river, up to a maximum height of {{convert|4.7|m|ft}} and width of {{convert|3.5|m|ft}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/modes/river/woolwich-free-ferry|title=Woolwich Free Ferry|publisher=Transport for London|access-date=25 May 2014}} The service is free for all traffic; in 2012 Transport for London (TfL) estimated a subsidy cost of 76.5p per passenger.

The nearest alternative crossing for pedestrians is the Woolwich foot tunnel about 100 metres (110 yds) to the east.{{sfn|Smith|2001|p=12}} A Docklands Light Railway (DLR) station, Woolwich Arsenal on the south side of the Thames, was opened in January 2009 as the new terminus of the London City Airport branch.{{cite web |url=https://www.tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2009/january/mayor-unveils-dlr-woolwich-arsenal-station |title=Mayor unveils DLR Woolwich Arsenal station |date=12 January 2009 |publisher=Transport for London |access-date=3 March 2015}} King George V DLR station, on the opposite side of the river, is close to the north ferry dock.

The nearest vehicle alternatives are the Silvertown Tunnel about {{convert|2|mi|spell=in|0}} upstream to the west, or the Dartford Crossing around {{convert|10|mi|spell=in}} downstream to the east. Both alternative routes incur toll charges.{{cite web |url=https://www.tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/news-articles/woolwich-ferry-update |title=Woolwich Ferry update |publisher=Transport for London |date=6 March 2014 |access-date=3 March 2015}}{{cite journal |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/381849/S140619_Dart_Charge_HGV_Leaflet_-_digital.pdf |title=Dartford Crossing improvements: Advice for drivers of goods vehicles and fleet managers |page=3 |publisher=Highways Agency |access-date=3 March 2015}}

There has been a connection across the Thames between what is now Old Woolwich and what would later be North Woolwich since the Norman Conquest. The area was mentioned in Domesday Book as {{convert|63|acre}} belonging to Hamon, the dapifer (steward), "which belong to (pertinent in) Woolwich"; the "pertinent" here refers to the portion of land north of the Thames yet also part of the county of Kent.{{cite web |url=http://newhamstory.com/node/2528 |title=North Woolwich – origins |publisher=The Newham Story |access-date=3 March 2015}} State papers in 1308 show that a service was running between North Woolwich and Warren Lane. That year, William de Wicton sold the business to William atte Halle for £10. The ferry was subsequently sold in 1320 for 100 silver marks.{{cite web |url=http://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/info/200064/local_history_and_heritage/265/history_of_the_woolwich_ferry |title=History of the Woolwich Ferry |publisher=Greenwich Borough Council |access-date=22 October 2014}}

{{Infobox UK legislation

| short_title = Woolwich Ferry Act 1811

| type = Act

| parliament = Parliament of the United Kingdom

| long_title = An Act for establishing a Ferry across the River Thames at Woolwich, in the County of Kent.

| year = 1811

| citation = 51 Geo. 3. c. cxcix

| introduced_commons =

| introduced_lords =

| territorial_extent =

| royal_assent = 26 June 1811

| commencement =

| expiry_date =

| repeal_date =

| amends =

| replaces =

| amendments = {{ubli|Woolwich Ferry Act 1815|Woolwich Ferry Act 1816}}

| repealing_legislation =

| related_legislation =

| status =

| legislation_history =

| theyworkforyou =

| millbankhansard =

| original_text = https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Geo3/51/199/pdfs/ukla_18110199_en.pdf

| revised_text =

| use_new_UK-LEG =

| UK-LEG_title =

| collapsed = yes

}}

{{Infobox UK legislation

| short_title = {{visible anchor|Woolwich Ferry Act 1815}}

| type = Act

| parliament = Parliament of the United Kingdom

| long_title = An Act to amend an Act of His present Majesty, for establishing a Ferry across the River Thames at Woolwich, in the County of Kent.

| year = 1815

| citation = 55 Geo. 3. c. xviii

| introduced_commons =

| introduced_lords =

| territorial_extent =

| royal_assent = 2 May 1815

| commencement =

| expiry_date =

| repeal_date =

| amends = Woolwich Ferry Act 1811

| replaces =

| amendments =

| repealing_legislation =

| related_legislation =

| status =

| legislation_history =

| theyworkforyou =

| millbankhansard =

| original_text = https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Geo3/55/18/pdfs/ukla_18150018_en.pdf

| revised_text =

| use_new_UK-LEG =

| UK-LEG_title =

| collapsed = yes

}}

{{Infobox UK legislation

| short_title = {{visible anchor|Woolwich Ferry Act 1816}}

| type = Act

| parliament = Parliament of the United Kingdom

| long_title = An Act to repeal a certain Part of an Act passed in the last Session of Parliament, intituled "An Act to amend an Act of His present Majesty, for establishing a Ferry across the River Thames at Woolwich, in the County of Kent.

| year = 1816

| citation = 56 Geo. 3. c. xxvii

| introduced_commons =

| introduced_lords =

| territorial_extent =

| royal_assent = 21 May 1816

| commencement =

| expiry_date =

| repeal_date =

| amends = Woolwich Ferry Act 1811

| replaces =

| amendments =

| repealing_legislation =

| related_legislation =

| status =

| legislation_history =

| theyworkforyou =

| millbankhansard =

| original_text = https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Geo3/56/27/pdfs/ukla_18160027_en.pdf

| revised_text =

| use_new_UK-LEG =

| UK-LEG_title =

| collapsed = yes

}}

Cross-river traffic increased following the establishment of the Royal Arsenal in 1671.{{cite book |title=Capital Spaces: The Multiple Complex Public Spaces of a Global City |first1=Matthew |last1=Carmona |first2=Filipa Matos |last2=Wunderlich |page=177 |publisher=Routledge |year=2013 |isbn=978-1-136-31196-3}} To enable movement of troops and supplies, the army established its own ferry in 1810.{{cite web |last=Payne |first=D. J. |title=The History of the Woolwich Free Ferry |url=http://www.plumstead-stories.com/story%20-%20Woolwich%20Free%20Ferry.htm |work=Plumstead Stories, including Woolwich and district |access-date=27 August 2012}} The following year the {{visible anchor|Woolwich Ferry Act 1811}} (51 Geo. 3. c. cxcix) established a commercial ferry company,{{sfn|Smith|2001|p=11}} but it was dissolved in 1844. In 1846, the Eastern Counties and Thames Junction Railway extended its lines to include a Thames wharf branch; eventually three steam ferries operated, but they proved inadequate to meet the growing demand. In October 1880, a public meeting was held in Woolwich to discuss setting up a locally run steam-ferry service, but the cost was seen as prohibitive.

Following the establishment of the Metropolitan Board of Works, which had taken over toll bridges in west London and opened them to free public use, it was suggested that the board should fund a free crossing of the Thames in east London. Proposals were made to provide services at Woolwich and further upstream at Greenwich, but the latter plan was abandoned.{{cite web |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1886/apr/12/the-metropolitan-board-of-works-thames#S3V0304P0_18860412_HOC_10 |title=The Metropolitan Board of Works – Thames Crossings |work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) |date=12 April 1886 |access-date=3 March 2015}} In 1884 the board agreed to provide two steam-powered ferries, each costing £10,650, and asked chief engineer Sir Joseph Bazalgette to lead design and construction.{{sfn|Smith|2001|pp=11–12}} In September 1887 Messrs Mowlem and company were awarded contracts valued at £54,900 to build approaches, bridges and pontoons.{{sfn|Smith|2001|p=11}}{{cite web |title=Free ferry agreed |url=http://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/info/200064/local_history_and_heritage/265/history_of_the_woolwich_ferry/2 |work=History of the Woolwich Ferry |publisher=Royal Borough of Greenwich |access-date=27 August 2012}}

The service was officially opened on 23 March 1889,{{Cite book|title=The London Encyclopaedia|date=1993|publisher=PaperMac|last1=Weinreb|first1=Ben|last2=Hibbert|first2=Christopher|isbn=0333576888|edition= Rev.|location=London|oclc=28963301|page=999}} with the paddle steamer Gordon. Two days before the first service, the Metropolitan Board of Works was replaced by the London County Council (LCC), and the opening ceremony was conducted by Lord Rosebery instead of the expected Bazalgette. The sister vessel Duncan was introduced on 20 April.{{sfn|Smith|2001|p=12}}

By the end of the 1920s, the rise in motor traffic had put pressure on the ferry's capacity. A proposed bridge between Shooter's Hill and East Ham was rejected as too obvious a target for wartime bombings, and a third vessel was introduced instead. Because of the lack of a fixed crossing, the Thames became a psychological barrier for those living in the East End of London, who could only use a limited number of routes to cross the river, including the Woolwich Ferry.{{sfn|Webb|2011|p=16}} The lack of a suitable alternative route was instrumental in creating plans for what eventually became the Dartford Crossing further downstream.{{cite web |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1929/nov/06/woolwich-ferry |title=Woolwich ferry |work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) |date=6 November 1929 |access-date=3 March 2015}}{{cite web |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1930/mar/10/dartford-and-purfleet-thames-tunnel-bill#S5CV0236P0_19300310_HOC_384 |title=Dartford and Purfleet Thames Tunnel bill |work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) |date=10 March 1930 |access-date=3 March 2015}}

File:London traffic queue geograph-3065636-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg service in 1963 reduced waiting times.]]

By the 1950s it was quicker for ferry traffic to divert via the Blackwall Tunnel even with all three vessels operating at full capacity.{{cite web |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1957/jul/22/roads-programme#S5CV0574P0_19570722_HOC_320 |title=Roads Programme |work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) |date=22 July 1957 |access-date=3 March 2015|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181228130653/https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1957/jul/22/roads-programme |archive-date=28 December 2018}} In April 1963, the paddle steamers were replaced and the ferry service upgraded to a more modern roll-on/roll-off model, reducing waiting times on the approach roads.{{cite news |url=http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/heritage/woolwich_ferry_marks_50_years_of_drive_on_drive_off_diesel_vessels_1_2163633 |title=Woolwich Ferry marks 50 years of drive-on, drive-off diesel vessels |work=The Docklands & East London Advertiser |first=Mike |last=Brooke |date=22 April 2013 |access-date=3 March 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402153303/http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/heritage/woolwich_ferry_marks_50_years_of_drive_on_drive_off_diesel_vessels_1_2163633 |url-status=dead }} The LCC continued to operate the ferry until it was replaced by the Greater London Council (GLC) on 31 March 1965. In 1964, Marples Ridgway started building the current reinforced concrete terminals, which can operate over a {{convert|30|ft|m}} tidal range.{{sfn|Smith|2001|p=12}} The current terminals were opened in 1966.{{cite web |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1966/nov/22/woolwich-ferry-terminals#S5CV0736P0_19661122_CWA_172 |title=Woolwich Ferry (Terminals) |work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) |date=22 November 1966 |access-date=3 March 2015}}

After the abolition of the GLC in 1986, the responsibility for operating the service was transferred to the Secretary of State for Transport, who contracted the then London Borough of Greenwich to run the service.{{cite web |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1987/jul/13/woolwich-ferry#S6CV0119P0_19870713_CWA_90 |title=Woolwich Ferry |work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) |date=13 July 1987 |access-date=3 March 2015}} Asset ownership and operating rights were subsequently transferred to Transport for London (TfL) on the establishment of the Greater London Authority,{{cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2000/1044/made/data.pdf|title=The Woolwich Ferry Order 2000|work=Greater London Authority|date=12 April 2000|access-date=9 March 2021}} but the London Borough of Greenwich continued to operate the ferry on behalf of TfL.{{cite web |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/lords/1999/jul/05/greater-london-authority-bill-1 |title=Greater London Authority Bill |work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) |date=5 July 1999 |access-date=3 March 2015}}

In March 2008, the London Borough of Greenwich gave TfL notice that it would cease operating the service from 30 September 2008. On 12 September TfL announced that the outsourcing group Serco would take over the operation of the service from 1 October 2008; the contract ran initially until 31 March 2010.{{cite news |url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/9346.aspx |title=Transport for London appoints Serco to operate the Woolwich Ferry service |date=12 September 2008 |publisher=Transport for London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080930152157/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/9346.aspx |archive-date=30 September 2008}} Control of the crossing passed from Serco to Briggs Marine, which was expanding into public passenger services, in December 2012. The company was awarded a £50 million seven-year contract, which began in April 2013.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-20721620 |title=Briggs Marine secures Woolwich Ferry service contract |date=13 December 2012 |work=BBC News website |publisher=BBC News |access-date=23 August 2013}}

In 2014, TfL began an upgrade of the ferry service, starting by refurbishing the piers and in 2016 ordering two new boats to replace the existing vessels that were nearing the end of their working life.{{Cite web|url=https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2015/june/essential-refurbishment-of-woolwich-ferry-loading-bridges|title=Essential refurbishment of Woolwich Ferry loading bridges|date=22 June 2015|website=Transport for London|access-date=30 June 2017}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.wharf.co.uk/news/local-news/woolwich-free-ferry-service-gets-10999990|title=Woolwich free ferry service gets a reprieve|last=Broadbent|first=Giles|date=8 March 2016|work=The Wharf|access-date=30 June 2017}} In early 2017, it was announced that the new ferries were being built by Polish firm Remontowa to a design by Norwegian company LMG Marin.{{Cite news|url=http://www.polandatsea.com/remontowa-shipbuilding-to-build-hybrid-ferries-for-london/|title=Remontowa Shipbuilding to build hybrid ferries for London|date=4 January 2017|work=Poland at Sea|access-date=30 June 2017}} The diesel-electric hybrid vessels have {{Convert|210|m}} of space for road vehicles over several lanes and dedicated cyclist accommodation. The vessels are licensed to carry 150 passengers segregated from road traffic. Continuing the tradition of naming the ferries after local people, it was announced in June 2017 that the two new vessels would be named after Dame Vera Lynn, a singer and entertainer from nearby East Ham, and Ben Woollacott, the 19-year-old deckhand on the Woolwich Ferry who drowned after being dragged overboard in a mooring accident in 2011.{{Cite news|url=http://www.wharf.co.uk/news/local-news/names-new-woolwich-ferries-revealed-13261522|title=Names for new Woolwich ferries revealed|last=Broadbent|first=Giles|date=30 June 2017|work=The Wharf|access-date=30 June 2017}}

In October 2018, the Woolwich Ferry was suspended for four months in order to undertake major repair work for the piers, and the existing vessels were taken out of service.Woolwich veterans retired Ships Monthly December 2018 page 10 The foot tunnel remained open.{{cite web|url=https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/woolwich-ferry-upgrade|title=Woolwich Ferry upgrade|publisher=Transport for London|access-date=5 October 2018|archive-date=6 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006035143/https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/woolwich-ferry-upgrade|url-status=dead}} The ferry service resumed on 1 February 2019.{{cite news |last1=Morton |first1=Sophie |title=Woolwich Ferry finally reopens – but with a limited service |url=https://www.newhamrecorder.co.uk/news/woolwich-ferry-reopens-with-limited-service-1-5876576 |access-date=16 February 2019 |work=Newham Recorder |date=1 February 2019 |archive-date=8 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708024440/https://www.newhamrecorder.co.uk/news/woolwich-ferry-reopens-with-limited-service-1-5876576 |url-status=dead }}

Following expiry of Briggs Marine's contract in December 2020, the service is now run by London River Services.Woolwich Ferry Take-Over Ships Monthly July 2020 page 11 Under TfL-owned London River Services’ stewardship, services on the route have been slashed with operating hours for the ferry reduced to end at 7pm weekdays rather than 10pm. In addition, only one of the two new ferries was in service between 2020 and 2024, with TfL citing staffing challenges as the reason for the roughly 70% reduction in capacity. https://londonist.com/london/transport/woolwich-ferry-operating-hours-weekday-weekend

On 3 August 2011, 19-year-old ferry worker Ben Woollacott died after falling off the boat into the River Thames.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-14384532 |work=BBC News |title=Woolwich Ferry crew member 'killed by propeller' |date=3 August 2011}} The MAIB report published in August 2012 blamed "unseamanlike working practices" during the unmooring operation for the death.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/maib-reports/person-overboard-during-unmooring-operation-on-the-woolwich-ro-ro-passenger-ferry-ernest-bevin-on-the-river-thames-england-with-loss-of-1-life|title=Person overboard during unmooring operation on ro-ro passenger ferry Ernest Bevin with loss of 1 life|website=GOV.UK|publisher=Marine Accident Investigation Branch|page=33|language=en|access-date=1 January 2019}} When two new ships were bought to update the service in 2018, one was named after him.{{cite web |title=Drowned deckhand given ferry name honour |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-40509262 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC |access-date=16 October 2019 |date=6 July 2017}}

File:Dome and Canary wharf framed by Woolwich Ferry. - geograph.org.uk - 1523587.jpg owing to restrictions in the Blackwall Tunnel and northbound Dartford Crossing.]]

The first ferries were the side-loading paddle steamers Gordon, Duncan and Hutton, named after General Gordon of Khartoum, Colonel Francis Duncan MP and Professor Charles Hutton. Each was powered by a condensing engine manufactured by John Penn and Sons of Greenwich, producing 100 nominal horsepower.{{cite web |last=Rogers |first=Robert |title=Woolwich Ferry |url=http://www.newhamstory.com/node/967 |work=The Newham Story |access-date=27 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819090909/http://www.newhamstory.com/node/967 |archive-date=19 August 2014 }}

The initial fleet was eventually replaced, starting in 1923 with The Squire (named after William Squires, a former mayor of Woolwich), and in 1930 with the Will Crooks (Crooks was Labour MP for Woolwich, 1903–21) and the John Benn (Benn was a member of the London County Council, Liberal MP for St George—which included Wapping—and grandfather of Tony Benn).

Three vessels were built in Dundee in 1963 by the Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Company to replace the paddle steamers, and were each named after prominent local politicians: James Newman (mayor of Woolwich, 1923–25), John Burns, and Ernest Bevin. These ferries featured Voith Schneider propulsion systems for manoeuvrability. A cycloidal propeller was fitted centrally at either end, each driven by a 500bhp 6-cylinder Mirrlees Blackstone diesel engine. Transport for London introduced an Art On The River scheme in 2014, showing decorative artwork on the ferry vessels.{{cite news |url=http://londonist.com/2014/09/look-out-for-art-on-the-river.php |title=Look Out For Art On The River |work=The Londonist |date=1 September 2014 |access-date=3 March 2015}} These vessels ceased operation on 5 October 2018, after which service was suspended for four months and the ferries sold for demolition.

Two new vessels, the Ben Woollacott and the Dame Vera Lynn, were delivered from the Remontowa shipyard in Gdańsk, Poland, to replace the previous fleet in October 2018.{{cite news|url=https://www.londonnewsonline.co.uk/trio-of-ferries-set-sail-for-the-last-time-in-woolwich/|title=Trio of ferries set sail for the last time in Woolwich|newspaper=South London Press & Mercury|date=3 October 2018|access-date=5 October 2018}}New Thames Pair Arrive Ships Monthly January 2019 page 11 The new vessels entered service on 1 February 2019. They have suffered from numerous technical issues resulting in closures and service reductions, with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan apologising in November 2019 and stating the new ferries "aren't good enough".{{Cite web |date=7 November 2019 |title=Sadiq Khan apologises after being accused of 'wasting' £20m on new Woolwich ferries |url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/sadiq-khan-accused-of-wasting-20m-on-new-woolwich/ |access-date=1 March 2023 |website=LBC |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Chamberlain |first=Darryl |date=16 February 2023 |title='Shoddy' Woolwich Ferry closed for two weeks for more upgrade works |url=https://853.london/2023/02/16/shoddy-woolwich-ferry-closed-for-two-weeks-for-more-upgrade-works/ |access-date=1 March 2023 |website=853 |language=en-GB}}

File:RT bus Woolwich Ferry 1979.jpg

The ferry typically carries about two million passengers a year;{{cite web|url=http://www.london.gov.uk/moderngov/documents/s8193/Summary%20List%20of%20Actions%20-%20Appendix%201%20-%20TfL%20letter%20on%20river%20services.pdf|title=Letter from Transport for London to the London Assembly|publisher=Transport for London|access-date=4 March 2015}} occupants of vehicles (including drivers) are counted as passengers.{{cite web |url=http://london.gov.uk/media/assembly-press-releases/2012/02/tfl-urged-to-improve-half-hearted-approach-to-expanding-river |title=TfL urged to improve 'half-hearted' approach to expanding river services |publisher=Greater London Authority |date=24 February 2012 |access-date=4 March 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402120511/http://london.gov.uk/media/assembly-press-releases/2012/02/tfl-urged-to-improve-half-hearted-approach-to-expanding-river |url-status=dead }} In 2012 the ferry carried around 20,000 vehicles and 50,000 passengers weekly.

At all times of day, but particularly at peak hours, it is common for vehicles to have to queue beyond the next ferry departure. Various improvements have been made to the vehicle queueing arrangements over the years, especially to avoid impacting local traffic.{{cite web |url=http://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/River%20Crossings%20presentation.pdf |title=2013-03-25 London Waterways Commission presentation |date=25 March 2013 |publisher=Transport for London |page=8 |access-date=23 August 2013 |archive-date=23 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823194725/http://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/River%20Crossings%20presentation.pdf |url-status=dead }}

For foot passengers, bus services connect to both terminals. There is a small bus station on the north side,{{cite web |url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/bus/stop/490010437NA/north-woolwich-ferry?lineId=473 |title=North Woolwich Ferry towards Canning Town or Plaistow |publisher=Transport for London |access-date=13 March 2015}} but some cross-river foot passengers take the foot tunnel instead. About 300 foot passengers used the ferry daily between 1983 and 1985.{{cite web |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1987/apr/06/woolwich-ferry |title=Woolwich Ferry |work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) |date=6 April 1987 |access-date=13 March 2015}} Further competition arrived in 2009 with the extension to Woolwich of the Docklands Light Railway, which crosses under the river to the east of the crossing and the tunnel, and has led to a reduction in the number of foot passengers using the ferry.

{{Clear}}

The ferry service provides one of the few road crossings of the Thames east of the City of London.{{cite news |url=https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/news/contractors-news/four-new-london-river-crossings-needed-for-growth-adonis-urges-15-10-2014/ |title=Four new London river crossings needed for growth, Adonis urges |first=Lucy |last=Mair |work=Construction News |date=15 October 2014 |access-date=3 March 2015 }} As long as there is a demand for a vehicle ferry it is unlikely to be discontinued, and doing so would require changing the Metropolitan Board of Works (Various Powers) Act 1885.

Planning applications were submitted for a new bridge, the Thames Gateway Bridge, close to the Woolwich Ferry, in 2004 although the project was cancelled in 2008.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-22437305 |title=New east London Thames bridge to be reconsidered |first=Tim| last=Donovan| work=BBC News |date=7 May 2013 |access-date=3 March 2015}} In 2012, the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, announced the Gallions Reach Crossing, a replacement ferry service running further east from Beckton to Thamesmead which was expected to open in 2017.{{cite web |url=https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/rivercrossings/4763e746 |title=The Gallions Reach Ferry (a ferry between Thamesmead and Beckton) |publisher=Transport for London |date=26 June 2013 |access-date=3 March 2015 |archive-date=6 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106200247/https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/rivercrossings/4763e746 |url-status=dead }} This did not occur and has been replaced with proposals for either a new bridge or tunnel in the area. TfL planning director Richard de Cani has said that the ferry will continue to operate as long as there are no alternatives, and there are no current plans to discontinue the service.{{cite news|url=http://widerimage.reuters.com/story/londons-ancient-ferry|title=London's Ancient Ferry|first=Russell|last=Boyce|work=Reuters|date=5 March 2015|access-date=5 March 2015}}

Tolls cannot be levied on the ferry without changing the 1885 Act of Parliament. However, it is possible that the service may eventually be tolled in conjunction with other projects.{{cite web|url=http://www.greenwich.co.uk/news/woolwich-ferry-tolls-proposed/|title=Woolwich Ferry may be tolled as new river crossings proposed|work=Greenwich News|date=10 July 2009|access-date=3 March 2015}}

The Woolwich ferry has made several appearances on TV and film. The John Benn is seen being destroyed by the titular monster in the film Behemoth, the Sea Monster. A detailed scale model is used to interact with a model of the monster's head, which capsizes the ship in the Thames.{{cite book|title=The Stop-motion Filmography: A Critical Guide to 297 Features Using Puppet Animation|first=Neil|last=Pettigrew|publisher=McFarland|year=1999|page=72|isbn=978-0-786-40446-9}}

• List of crossings of the River Thames

Citations

{{reflist|30em}}

Sources

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book|title=London and the Thames Valley|editor1-first=Denis|editor1-last=Smith|publisher=Thomas Telford|year=2001|isbn=978-0-727-72876-0}}
• {{cite book|title=A 1960s East End Childhood|first=Simon|last=Webb|publisher=The History Press|year=2011|isbn=978-0-75-247839-5}}

{{refend}}

{{Commons category|Woolwich Ferry}}

• [https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/river/woolwich-ferry Official TfL website]
• [http://www.yellins.com/woolwichferry In depth website about the Woolwich Ferry]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2l5PC4BiAro Time lapse video of the ferry in operation]

{{Crossings navbox

|structure = Crossings

|place = River Thames

|upstream=Thames Barrier (no public access)
London Cable Car|downstream=Woolwich foot tunnel|bridge = Woolwich Ferry
Grid reference: {{gbm4ibx|TQ432795}}

}}

{{London River Services navbox}}

{{good article}}

{{coord|51.4961|N|0.062|E|type:landmark|display=title}}

Category:1889 establishments in England

Category:Transport infrastructure completed in 1889

Category:Transport in the London Borough of Newham

Category:Transport in the Royal Borough of Greenwich

Category:London River Services

Category:River Thames ferries

Category:Free ferries

Category:Woolwich

Category:Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery