New Cruise Terminal Coming to South East London!

Yes folks, Breaking News! – Greenwich could become a “gateway to London” after plans for a large cruise liner terminal which were originally approved back in 2011, have now been revitalised with plans to open a world beating cruise terminal in 2017 in Enderby Wharf Greenwich South London.

Exciting Times!

Once completed, the dock should allow large cruise ships to anchor beyond the Thames Barrier, which they can’t do at the moment. The big cruise liners have to use Tilbury in Essex as a docking area.

Ships up to 240-metres long – almost the length of the Titanic – could stop at the new development, which could receive around 100 ships a year when it is complete. They will also sail past some of London’s best known landmarks like the Thames Barrier, the o2 Arena, and Canary Wharf to moor close to the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site and Cutty Sark.

Excellent news for me, living in Bromley, Greenwich is just a 20 minute drive from my house,  – literally on my doorstep!

There will of course be the expected worry-mongers who will no doubt try to cast doom and gloom on the negative impact this project will have on the environment, but I’m sure that this cruise terminal  will be a great boost for the area! Especially with the proposed building of   a 251-room hotel as well as 770 homes . Quite apart from creating new jobs, with the building of new hotels this will open up opportunities for pre and post cruise stays with its convenient location to Central London, and our London Airports only an hour away from the City.

Kate O’Hara, who is chief executive of developer London City Cruise Port, said she had always been working towards a 2016 opening, with a fully operational cruise terminal by 2017.

She said the designs were under review as the project would now focus less on transit and more on allowing passengers to embark and disembark, requiring more space for baggage storage and other facilities.

She said: “It’s all positive. We’ve been listening to what the market need and wants and we’re reviewing the current design in line with that.”

I think this is fantastic news!  And can’t wait to see which of the cruise companies will soon be queuing up to dock at this new terminal!

Watch this space and I’ll keep you posted on developments!