Port of London Authority labelled a ‘racket’ by stakeholders

A public inquiry has begun into proposed changes to how the Port of London Authority manages the Thames, which could impact 17 boroughs and anyone whose home backs onto the river. The Port of London Authority (PLA) intends to make a series of changes to the Port of London Act 1968 – a law which allows it to regulate the Port of London.

The PLA submitted a Harbour Revision Order (HRO) as far back as 2020 but stakeholders, including residents whose homes back onto the River Thames, have labelled the move a ‘power grab’ and are asking the inquiry to reject or amend the request. In addition, it is claimed some fees for things like building balconies that overlook the Thames have risen by around £10,000 per property in the space of a decade, with the PLA labelled a ‘racket’ during the first day of the inquiry on Tuesday (February 25).

Among the changes proposed are:

-Ending the practice of providing yearly reports to Parliament
-Removing personal liability for its board members
-Removing borrowing limits
-‘Disapplying’ provisions of landlord and tenant law to ensure that the PLA can terminate a lease ‘where it is necessary to do so in the interests of the safe navigation of the Thames and the protection of public rights of navigation’
-Altering its charging regime

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