Thames to stay a working river

The dwindling number of working Thames wharves in London were yesterday protected from development by Government, in an attempt to keep the river functioning as a transport artery and stop them all being turned into office blocks and flats.

Councils whose borders include the 32 specified wharves from Hammersmith in the west to Newham in the east must consider the need for protecting these wharves when they draw up their development plans. They must refer any proposals for alternative development on them to the Secretary of State for the Environment