Commute is 'shorter by water'

Riverside communities in London could soon hold a higher premium for rental property-seekers and home-buyers – and not only for the views across the Thames.

Recent woes on the underground have led to an upsurge of interest in river commuting, with Thames-based transport carriers now upping their capacity and planning to receive a swell of new customers.

Passenger boat services such as the Clipper have benefited from the freedom of the water, with the Waterloo Bridge-Canary Wharf service finding customers through the proximity of business hubs to the river – and the exemption of boat travel from the endemic delays of the underground network.

Managing director of the Clipper, Sean Collins, told the Independent: "We are under capacity at the moment and so have increased the service by adding six 120-seater boats to our fleet. The trip from Blackfriars to Canary Wharf takes only 18 minutes, making it the fastest method of getting to that particular destination."

Riverside flats in popular areas such as Waterloo, London Bridge and Blackfriars could become even more desirable should more Londoners opt for a commute that is only slightly more expensive and potentially much more comfortable than underground travel.

With Canary Wharf one of London's key employment centres, other riverside locations in easy boat access to the hub can be found along the Rotherhithe stretch of the south bank, making it a desirable location for rental property-seekers.

Published 7th February, 2008

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