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The London River Park

25th August 2011

We have been appointed by Gifford to provide ecological input and advice as part of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the proposed new London River Park.

The London River Park, which is being promoted by the Venus Group of Singapore and will be project managed by Mace, is a planned one kilometre walkway running along the northern edge of the Thames between Tower Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge, incorporating seven pavilions to showcase London and host events. The plans also include an outdoor swimming pool - which would be the first to be built on the Thames. The intention is to build the London River Park in time for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee next year.

The EIA will identify any significant impacts that the development could have on the environment and recommend, where necessary, mitigation measures to minimise these impacts. 

We have extensive experience of undertaking surveys and monitoring of the tidal Thames. We will carry out an initial desk study to collate existing data on nature conservation sites and protected species in the area, followed by an extended Phase 1 habitat survey of the terrestrial habitat and intertidal and subtidal surveys. The findings will then be fed into the EIA, and, following extensive consultations with a wide range of stakeholders, be used to inform the planning application.

Rachel Holloway, Principal Environmental Scientist for Gifford said:
‘Thomson’s professional approach and ecology expertise make them valuable team members for the London River Park project. Their experience of the EIA process and how ecology fits within this is extremely useful.’

Richard Arnold, our Technical Director comments:
‘We have completed more than 100 reports for foreshore development projects on the tidal Thames, as well as many other projects on the Thames involving marine sample analysis. Our reports have covered impact assessments for ports, river wall replacements, marinas, jetty extensions, bridges, barrages and housing developments and have included surveys at the Millennium Bridge, Canary Wharf, Bankside, Blackfriars, Mucking Flats and West India Docks. We are very happy to be able to add the prestigious London River Park to this list and hope to make a valuable contribution to the project.’

Further details of the project can be found at www.londonriverpark.org