Petition · past parliament

Incentivise the use of the river Thames as a transport mode for freight

Closed 196 signatures

What the petition asks

Having operated vessels on the Thames, I am saddened by the surrounding decline of practical opportunities for utilising our glorious river sustainably for freight.

We must ask government to assess whether enough resource is available for industry to thrive and prefer water transport over road.
Today, yet again commuters using the M25 are stranded due to a HGV freight collision closing the QEII bridge.
Whilst this may seem unrelated, our small vessels pass underneath, with nearly no other vessels in site for miles.
A free, reliable transport mode able to move thousands of tonnes a day and relieve the neighbouring roads of HGV movements.
Why is more not being done to retain the use of the waterways? Shipyards are in decline. Skills are in decline. We must act, before it is too late

Timeline

4 Sep 2018 Petition opened for signatures
4 Mar 2019 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 196
Status Closed
Opened 4 Sep 2018
Closed 4 Mar 2019

Follow this petition

Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.

Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.