TfL commissions design study for Bankside Pier extension

In February we revealed proposals to expand the pier which were revealed in the Mayor of London's river action plan.

Now TfL's London River Services division has appointed specialist marine consulting engineers Beckett Rankine to carry out a design study to identify options for increasing both passenger and berthing capacity at Bankside, Embankment and Westminster piers.

The three month study is due to be completed by the end of the year when options will be considered, with physical works by the end of 2015.

"This is a key part of our plan to ensure greater use of the River Thames," said Andy Thompson, general manager of London River Services.

"We've seen record numbers of passengers using our busiest piers this summer, giving a clear and encouraging demonstration of the need to expand capacity to be able to cater for future continued growth."

Bankside Pier – located close to Shakespeare's Globe and Tate Modern – is served by Thames Clippers riverbus services and tourist sightseeing cruise boats.