Service alerts
Learn more about what can cause service delays or cancellations
This page is updated regularly when we have advanced notice of situations which may impact our service. For the most up to date information on our services please follow @thamesclippers on X (formerly known as Twitter).
As soon as we are aware of any disruptions, service alerts will be sent via X.
Upcoming Alerts
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Service disruption
Tue 15 - Thu 17 JulyPlease be advised that there are planned river races between Greenwich and Putney which may cause delays to our services.
We reccomend allowing extra time for your journey if travelling during the following times:- Tuesday 15 July
13:10-16:10 - Wednesday 16 July
13:45-16:45 - Thursday 17 July
14:20-17:20
Know exactly where your next boat is by downloading the new Thames Clippers Tickets app. - Tuesday 15 July
Thames Barrier Closures
To view a full list of upcoming barrier closure dates, visit the government website.
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Thames Barrier Closure
Monday, 14 JulyA test closure of the Thames Barrier is scheduled to take place 09:50 – 12:20 on Monday 14 July. This will prevent all sailings between these times from calling at Barking Riverside and Woolwich (Royal Arsenal) piers.
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Thames Barrier Closure
Tuesday, 12 AugustA test closure of the Thames Barrier is scheduled to take place 09:45 – 12:15 on Tuesday, 12 August. This will prevent all sailings between these times from calling at Barking Riverside and Woolwich (Royal Arsenal) piers.
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Thames Barrier Closure
Sunday, 7 SeptemberA test closure of the Thames Barrier is scheduled to take place 07:15 – 17:15 on Sunday 7 September. This will prevent some services from calling at Barking Riverside and Woolwich (Royal Arsenal) piers.
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Thames Barrier Closure
Thursday, 9 OctoberA test closure of the Thames Barrier is scheduled to take place 09:10 – 11:40 on Thursday 9 October. This will prevent all sailings between these times from calling at Barking Riverside and Woolwich (Royal Arsenal) piers.
Service updates on X
- Our fleet control update X (formerly known as Twitter) with delay information using TfL’s wording for delays. “Minor” refers to delays between 5-15 minutes. “Severe” refers to delays that are over 15 minutes.
- When a service is “suspended between two piers” this means that the service is not able to run between the piers mentioned or at the intermediate piers.
- We cannot always give a specific reason for each individual delay nor can our fleet control respond to individual tweets asking about the arrival time of your service.
- Live departure information is available on the Thames Clippers Tickets app.
What causes service delays and alerts?
Spontaneous service delays can be caused by a number of issues including river congestion, pier congestion, passenger demand, passenger disruption and occasional technical issues with our vessels. When we are aware of these disruptions, a service alert is issued via our X page.
Anticipated service alerts can be caused by:
- Tidal conditions
At extremely low tides, our vessels may be unable to dock successfully at some of our piers or it may be unsafe for passengers to attempt to board from them. Low tide also limits the Thames’s river traffic capacity which can cause congestion. - Thames Barrier closures
The Thames Barrier is located between Woolwich (Royal Arsenal) and Royal Wharf piers. When the barrier is closed for tests, or to prevent London from flooding, our services are unable to reach Woolwich (Royal Arsenal) or Barking Riverside piers. - London fog
In extreme fog our services cannot operate. As foggy conditions can change rapidly, please check our X page for the most up-to-date information. - Riverside activities
The Thames is an incredibly active river and events regularly take place along its banks and on the river itself which have the potential to affect some services.
We apologise for any inconvenience that service disruption has caused to your journey and we always appreciate your patience while we manage the matter. If you wish to contact our Customer Service Team, you can do so here.