UK – We have often written on the seismic changes the Port of London has undergone in the past century and now the latest consultation has been launched to ensure the operation stays up to date with proposals to be recommended by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO)
Following an informal, pre-submission consultation in autumn 2019 which saw more than 50 stakeholders contributing, the MMO will use this latest tranche of results and recommendations to draft a Port of London Authority (PLA) Harbour Revision Order (HRO).
The Order is intended to modernise the Port of London Act 1968, under which the PLA operates. It takes into account the nature of modern operations and technology in use on the river today and the continued evolution of the PLA as a modern, transparent organisation. Robin Mortimer, chief executive of the PLA, commented:
“The tidal Thames and the PLA have changed radically since the Port of London Act under which we operate was last updated. The draft HRO on which the MMO is consulting has been developed through engagement with our many stakeholders over the last eighteen months.
“With the draft reviewed and cleared for formal consultation, we encourage anyone who has an interest in the PLA and the Thames to have a look and share any views. All comments need to go to the MMO.”
The draft PLA HRO can be found HERE and the formal consultation will last for an extended 56-day period, closing on 12 October 2021. An HRO consultation normally lasts 42 days however the PLA has requested the extension to allow as many people as possible the opportunity to engage and comment.
Comments on the PLA HRO application should be sent to the MMO Marine Licensing Team by email to harbourorders@marinemanagement.org.uk or by post to: Marine Licensing Team, Marine Management Organisation, Lancaster House, Hampshire Court, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE4 7YH.
To be considered, representations need to: be received before the expiry of the period of 56-days consultation; be made in writing quoting reference HRO/2020/00005; state the grounds of the objection or representation; indicate who is making the objection or representation; and give an address to which correspondence relating to the objection or representation may be sent.
In other news the entire month of September will see the Thames Festival Trust host ‘Totally Thames 2021’, an event packed with environmental initiatives, arts events, heritage and active adventures. Details HERE.
Photo: This image taken around 1905 looking downstream from London Bridge toward a decade old Tower Bridge, shows how busy the Pool of London was in Victorian times when the Port was the busiest in the world handling up to 60,000 vessels per annum.
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