London’s (now second) Newest River Pier, Royal Wharf Pier

Royal Wharf could really be anywhere, but this new pier is in the Docklands, just west of London City Airport, and placed, like all Uber Boat piers, on the Thames. The pier lies just west of the Thames barrier and on the Thames’ northern shore, and is extended rather far into the River. To the east the River Bus stop is Woolwich and to the west it is North Greenwich for the O2.

Royal Wharf opened late in 2019 and is only served at peak times on weekdays, but at weekends it has an all day service. This pier connects the newly developed masses of flats in the local area to the city. The timetable suggests Royal Wharf Pier was primarily built to serve commuters working in central London, this is much like the weekday peak hours services to and from Putney.

The entrance to Royal Wharf Pier at night

As it is the newest pier in London, and built before TfL's recent funding issues, Royal Wharf was properly designed. Unlike other lesser served piers, most of which are west of Battersea Power Station Pier (which is also the end of the Northern Line extension) which are purely functional, the pier actually looks good, especially at night. This pier is formed of three parts, normally Uber Boat piers have two parts but this pier protrudes further than normal, due to the large tidal range.

Taken from the probably structual triangle of the bridge which is semi protected from the elements

The first part is a static bridge which connects to an aesthetic triangle (which you can take good pictures from) which then further connects to another bridge. This aesthetic triangle might actually be less aesthetic and more functional as the odd vertex will probably provide some vital structural need. The pier then continues to the artistically covered section of the pier (the second bridge) which has a roof but won't (really) protect you from the rain. Now you might enquire about why wasn't just one bridge built; well the actual place the boats stop is rather far into the river and one bridge would need excessive amounts of over engineering to be safe, so two bridges are needed.

Royal Wharf Pier with from the modern pontoon with a sign of Royal Wharf visible

The first bridge in the pier is static and the second links the static bridge and the floating pontoon, where you get your boat from. This means the second bridge does move significantly up and down twice a day (due to the tides) but also slightly every second due to the normal random changes in water level. The pontoon is quite large and is a normal (but floating) structure with a ramp and modern waiting shelter. This shelter has places to sit, not a bench or seats but two horizontal wooden planes. It is definitely designed for sitting on but might, in my opinion, be the thing that defines the architecture of today for it having "aesthetics" far above functionality and comfort.

Royal Wharf Pier is London's newest pier as of January 2022 but soon (possibly spring 2022) a new pier is set to open and extend the Uber boats service further east to Barking Riverside (which also will have a new train station, also opening soon). Which is also thought to have similar service levels to Royal Wharf.

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