CASE FOR POSSIBLE LISTING/SAFEGUARDING OF CRANES ON THE GREENWICH RIVERSIDE.
1.
Clearly
the Greenwich riverside area was, and to some extent is, an area heavily
involved in wharfage and related activities.
It is now surrounded by areas that have lost their traditional character
with the encroachment of housing and other riverside developments.
2.
Greenwich
too is now under heavy pressure from developers. Much of the stretch of riverside path will
form a walk to the Millennium Dome and as such it is also under threat of being
'tidied up' in a way which might alter its present character.
3.
One
of the features of the area is a number of cranes and hoists.
- Some of these are on sites
that are actively at work and in daily use.
- Some which have remained
unused for many years.
4.
A
CASE FOR LISTING. It is very unusual for
individual pieces of machinery to be considered for listing – but a case could
be built up for some of the cranes on the Greenwich riverside. It is however important to build up a case
for their rete
ntion as part of an overall riverscape (if not for listing
for some other possible means of safeguarding).
Throughout the country there are a number of sites where cranes have
been preserved and discussions should be undertaken with the individuals/bodies
responsible in order to build up a case for Greenwich. At the same time the machinery in the area
under consideration needs to be documented.
5.
CURRENTLY
WORKING SITES. It would clearly be unreasonable to try to prevent any change in
machinery currently being used. However
such cranes ought to be documented and photographed as part of an information
package. As a matter of urgency a
photographic archive should be built up. In some cases the active support of
the wharf operators can be expected and it is possible that some of them be
persuaded to provide some support and allow interpretation for the public of
their sites and equipment. Approaches
to them should be made as soon as possible.
6.
DERELICT
SITES.
- There are a number of
sites not in use where there may be equipment on site. These should be investigated and
researched as a matter of urgency.
- LOVELLS WHARF. Two large
cranes remain in situ at Lovells where they provide a dramatic feature on
the riverside. The site – derelict
for 15-20 years – is currently being aggressively marketed and action
needs to be taken quickly if the cranes are to remain on site.
i.
The
background to the cranes needs to be established. It is expected that help in this will be
given by Shaw Lovell (who owned and operated them).
ii.
The
wharf itself, in its current state, and the cranes should be documented. The Greater London Industrial Archaeology
Society would be able to provide a recording team to do this providing they can
get co-operation from the site's owner for access.
iii.
The
cranes need to be photographed – GLIAS could provide a specialist photographer
to do this.
7.
ACTION
Most
of the tasks noted above could be accomplished reasonably quickly. At the same time:
a.
London
Borough of Greenwich should be approached. It is understood that the Borough is
likely to be sympathetic and are also concerned. They already some documentation on sites and
may well also be a source of contacts and further information.
b.
There
are also a number of official and voluntary organisations which have an
interest in these sites and in the riverscape. Chief of these, of course, is
the Port of London Authority but there are several others. For instance, London Rivers Association holds
an archive of recent planning guidelines and criteria on the riverside. These and other bodies could be approached
for help and advice.
c.
Site
owners should be approached. The ground landlord for much of this area is the
Greenwich based charity, Morden College, and there is no reason why an effort
could not be made to try and access them at a level at which decisions are
made.
No comments:
Post a Comment