Boris Johnson was treated to a trip on the river to give him an insight into the potential of river transport to ease London's traffic woes.

Cllr Torrington, deputy chairman of the council's environment and leisure committee, briefed the Mayor on the importance of river transport services to the growing residential population on the Wandsworth riverside.

Wandsworth Council has actively promoted the Putney service to its residents. Through a planning agreement with the developers of Wandsworth Riverside Quarter it secured a new pier at this development serving Wandsworth Town.

Cllr Torrington said, "River taxi services on the Thames could, with imaginative use of funding, provide a much improved public transport option for many Londoners. Our aim is for a direct service from Putney to Canary Wharf and beyond without the need to change at Blackfriars. There should also be full integration with Oyster ticketing. Along with the many commuters on the boat, I was delighted to have the opportunity to explain the benefits of river transport to the Mayor."

Thames Executive Charters provide morning and evening services from piers at Putney and Wandsworth.

For details of fares and timetables visit www.thamesexecutivecharters.com

July 24, 2008