The Woolwich Free Ferry has been an established river crossing since the early part of the last century. The current ferry arrangement has been in operation since 1965. The ferries are end loading and reversible, allowing traffic to drive on one end and drive off the other on completion of the crossing. The current service operates seven days a week and is heavily utilised.
The north and south side structures comprise 2 No. linkspans each operated from a cantilevered control room that overlooks the ferry berthing position. The linkspans are raised and lowered through a rope winch and counterbalance system, fitted with redundant drive systems.
Ports Services carried out a condition survey of the mechanical, electrical and control system installations of the linkspans and plant rooms to assess the condition of the plant, equipment, gearboxes, rope and pulley systems, counterweights, clutch mechanisms, hinges, pivots, spragging mechanisms, contro limit switches, cabling systems etc. The condition survey required the production of a report identifying condition, expected operating life, recommendations for repair or replacement, prioritising and budget cost estimates for any identified works.
The workscope also included the production of a full Mechanical and Electrical Operation and Maintenance manual as a reference for all linkspan components and to provide schedules and instructions for all O&M tasks associated with the structure.
Linkspans : Mechanical and Electrical Inspection
Royal Haskoning were appointed by the London Borough of Greenwich as Agents for Transport for London to undertake an M&E inspection of the Woolwich Free Ferry. This ferry provides a link over the River Thames between the A205 South Circular Road and the A117 on the north side of the river, from which the A117 provides a link to the A406 North Circular Road.