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.
Service alerts
Masthouse Terrace Pier: essential works
24 March - 8 June
In order to maintain the safe operation of Masthouse Terrace Pier, contractors working for the Port of London Authority (PLA) will undertake a programme of essential works between March and June.
While exact timings may be subject to minor change, the current plan is as follows:
- Week commencing Sunday 24 March: work on the river side bearings: pier will remain open.
- 12-13 April (Friday and Saturday): erection of scaffolding: pier will remain open.
- 20 April (Saturday): work on hospital pile cap: pier closed from 10:30am to 14:00 (services will continue to stop at the pier outside of these hours)
- 4-5 May (Saturday and Sunday): bearing works: pier closed both days.
- 18-19 May (Saturday and Sunday): bearing works: pier closed both days.
- 1-2 June (Saturday and Sunday): contingency. If needed, pier closed both days.
- 8 June (Saturday): removal of hospital pile caps. If needed, pier will be closed in the afternoon for 3 hours only.
Noise and other disruption to local residents will be kept to a minimum. PLA is closely working with us to minimise pier closures, keeping them to weekends where possible to avoid peak commuting times, and to ensure any closures are well communicated in advance.
For any urgent enquiries regarding the works, please contact ET Marine on 01375 378282 (0800-1630) or Martin Galer on 07713 243081 (24 hours)
Thames Barrier Closures
To view a full list of upcoming barrier closure dates, visit the government website.
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Thames Barrier Closure
Thursday, 11 AprilA test closure of the Thames Barrier is scheduled to take place 09:40 – 12:10 on Thursday 11 April. This will prevent some morning services from calling at Barking Riverside and Woolwich (Royal Arsenal) piers.
The last morning westbound service departing these piers will be the 09:20 from Barking Riverside Pier. The last three eastbound services of the morning will end at Royal Wharf Pier.
Evening services will not be affected. -
Thames Barrier Closure
Wednesday, 8 MayA test closure of the Thames Barrier is scheduled to take place 07:55 – 10:25 on Wednesday 8 May. This will prevent all sailings between these times from calling at Barking Riverside and Woolwich (Royal Arsenal) piers.
The last morning westbound service departing these piers before the closure will be the 07:25 from Barking Riverside Pier. If the Thames Barrier reopens on time then we'll resume our services with the 10:58 from Barking Riverside.
Evening services will not be affected. -
Thames Barrier Closure
Monday, 10 JuneA test closure of the Thames Barrier is scheduled to take place 09:40 – 12:10 on Monday, 10 June. This will prevent some morning services from calling at Barking Riverside and Woolwich (Royal Arsenal) piers.
The last morning westbound service departing these piers will be the 09:20 from Barking Riverside Pier. The last three eastbound services of the morning will end at North Greenwich Pier.
Evening services will not be affected. -
Thames Barrier Closure
Tuesday, 9 JulyA test closure of the Thames Barrier is scheduled to take place 09:35 – 12:05 on Tuesday 9 July This will prevent some morning services from calling at Barking Riverside and Woolwich (Royal Arsenal) piers.
The last morning westbound service departing these piers will be the 09:20 from Barking Riverside Pier. The last three eastbound services of the morning will end at North Royal Wharf.
Evening services will not be affected.
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.