Concorde to pause in Lambeth Reach en route to Scotland

Concorde G-BOAA will spend most of Tuesday moored at Nine Elms, Vauxhall, having left Chiswick Reach at midnight. She is due to arrive in Lambeth Reach – between Lambeth and Westminster Bridges – at about 4.30pm.

Those hoping to see Concorde should be aware that the fuselage will not be visible from the riverside for most of her journey on the Thames because she is inside the heavy lift vessel 'Terra Marique'. However, there is a photo opportunity planned opposite the Palace of Westminster between 4.30pm and 6pm.

At this point Concorde will be raised up temporarily from inside the ‘Terra Marique'. Concorde will then be lowered back inside for her journey towards the Thames Estuary and out to the North Sea. The aircraft has been acquired by the National Museums of Scotland and is destined for the Museum of Flight near Edinburgh.

"By August, thousands of visitors will be able to see one of Britain's most exciting and innovative inventions," said Gordon Rintoul, director of the National Museums of Scotland.

Concorde will pass under Westminster Bridge at about 6pm, reaching Blackfriars Bridge 25 minutes later. She will pass through Tower Bridge at 6.45pm. She is expected to arrive in Dartford for the night at about 10.30pm.

The waterborne Concorde, temporarily stripped of its wings and tail, left Isleworth on Easter Monday morning.

"It is excellent that the Thames is being used for this historic journey" said Steve Cuthbert, chief executive of the Port of London Authority. "It means that the problems of moving Concorde by road to Scotland are minimised. This journey by water will avoid days of traffic snarl ups, delays and congestion on the roads. We have always said that the Port of London can handle every type of project cargo – Concorde proves the point."

G-BOAA notched up 22,769 flight hours and 6,842 supersonic cycles before its final flight from New York to London in August 2000.

Its sea journey to Scotland was delayed by a week due to unforeseen tidal conditions.

• Photos of Concorde and its barge in Chiswick