Not enough River Crossing east of london and the annoying DLR

[teamsoutheast]

Hi People. I am becoming increasingly frustrated at the lack of river crossing linking east london to south east london. I was really annoyed the other night when I got to the Greenwich foot tunnel and found it shuts at 9pm till further notice. I then tried to sneak onto the DLR and they told me i'm not allowed on with my bike and only fold up bikes are allowed. It is really annoying because all I wanted to do was get to the other side of the river and I have no idea why they wont allow this. In the end I had to cycle all the way to Rotherhithe Tunnel and ride through all the smog. When is Boris going to sort this out? Why cant he allow us to use the DLR to cross the River when then foot tunnel is closed!

 

[alicat]

That does sound annoying. What time is the last river bus and can you take your bike on it?

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Boris has washed his hands of it, saying it's all down to Greenwich council

Copy of letter to Mayor's office and reply...

Greenwich and Woolwich Foot Tunnels

Question No: 3914 / 2010

Caroline Pidgeon

Further to your decision to take no action to assist cyclists crossing the Thames during the refurbishment of both the Greenwich and Woolwich Foot Tunnels will you at least consider making representations to Greenwich Council to ensure that the publicised limited opening hours of the Greenwich Foot Tunnel are at least properly maintained by Greenwich Council and their contractors Dean and Dyball?

Answer from the Mayor

As I made clear in answer to your previous question 3551/2010 on this subject, the London Borough of Greenwich is responsible for these tunnels and the provision of alternative arrangements to assist cyclists. Greenwich has, as you know, published travel advice to tunnel users on their website. This link applies:



http: www.greenwich.gov.uk/Greenwich/Travel/foot-tunnels.htm



However, TfL and I do recognise that the tunnels provide an important link for both cyclists and pedestrians, and I have asked that TfL raise the issue of the publicised opening hours of the tunnels with the London Borough of Greenwich.

 

[teamsoutheast]

Boris has washed his hands of it, saying it's all down to Greenwich council

Copy of letter to Mayor's office and reply...

Thanks. So why can't the mayor allow the use of bikes on the DLR to cross the river after 9pm? Also it states on the Greenwich Council website that the staircase is open 24hrs a day during the renovation works but this is not the case.

 

[mr_cellophane]

The ferry runs till 10:00 Monday - Thursday and is much easier than having to descend all those stairs.
There is also the Canary Wharf/Hilton Ferry, but that stops at 21:40 and costs £3.30

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Thanks. So why can't the mayor allow the use of bikes on the DLR to cross the river after 9pm? Also it states on the Greenwich Council website that the staircase is open 24hrs a day during the renovation works but this is not the case.

I was under the apparently misguided impression that routes crossing borough boundaries were TfL's responsibility. Allowing cycles on DLR would mean assuming Transport for London actually meant Transport for all Londoners instead of leaving it to Greenwich to do nothing. And it would also require flexibility.

The boroughs involved - Greenwich, Newham, Tower Hamlets - coincidentally, appear to be Labour led councils. Guess who Boris ''represents...''.

 

[Flyingfox]

It is annoying that the DLR won't allow bikes, apparently for safety reasons, it doesn't come under the 'London Underground' banner as I think it is a private/public partnership (I maybe wrong on this), however, the Overground (old East London Line) does allow bikes during non peak hours and weekends.
Bit of a strange scenario as access to DLR stations is a lot easier than on the underground at most stations.

 

[Watt-O]

It is annoying that the DLR won't allow bikes, apparently for safety reasons, it doesn't come under the 'London Underground' banner as I think it is a private/public partnership (I maybe wrong on this), however, the Overground (old East London Line) does allow bikes during non peak hours and weekends.
Bit of a strange scenario as access to DLR stations is a lot easier than on the underground at most stations.

I got a puncture last year, and wanted to put the bike on an empty DLR train outside the rush hour, and got the customary job's worth refusing me entry. Cost me over twenty off quid to get as black cab to go through the Blackwall Tunnel to Canary Wharf!

 

[jeegee]

It's a bit of a disgrace really.
I've had to use the Hilton ferry a fair few times, I got an oyster card which I topped up to make a little cheaper.
Failing that it's the woolwich ferry which is free but you add a lot to your journey time.
The DLR situation is absurd. I once took the wheels off my bike put three pieces in a great big box/bag to get one on board. That is apparently "safer" and less "obstructive" than a bike

 

[Watt-O]

It's a bit of a disgrace really.
I've had to use the Hilton ferry a fair few times, I got an oyster card which I topped up to make a little cheaper.
Failing that it's the woolwich ferry which is free but you add a lot to your journey time.
The DLR situation is absurd. I once took the wheels off my bike put three pieces in a great big box/bag to get one on board. That is apparently "safer" and less "obstructive" than a bike

Yeah, I just took the front wheel off to make it compact - on an empty train, and the guy did not want to turn a blind eye. Pathetic. It's enough to make you take to the streets.

 

[The Horse's Mouth]

Why would anyone want to go South of the River !!!

 

[ttcycle]

It is incredibly annoying-I've been wanting to go to Billingsgate for years now but at the times of the morning I would need to go, its a round detour through to Rotherhithe tunnel and round back again.

I could hit Boris and TfL with a steel pipe they are collectively that useless.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

One solution

From https://www.cyclechat.net/

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

And here's another solution...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8082995.stm

 

[markharry66]

Why fix both the tunnels at the same time its been over a year earlier this year it stated that the tunnel at woolwich would be open again by the end of may. Went past today still in scaffolding with no sign of re-opening. The ferry is good but if you get there after hours what are you supposed to do wade across the Thames bunch of jobs worth twats