A powerful committee of MPs today stepped into a row over plans to let cruise ships spew diesel fumes day and night in the heart of London.
The environment select committee said any developments that made the capital’s air quality worse should be avoided. Its report comes as the High Court is being asked to overturn plans for the Thames’s first cruise liner terminal, at Enderby Wharf in Greenwich.
At stake is whether 1,600-passenger liners should be allowed to run their engines to generate electricity. Residents want power lines to be installed from shore to keep the air clean.
The cross-party group of MPs ruled: “Planning permissions for new shipping facilities must require appropriate mitigation measures from developers. This should include, where practicable, a requirement to provide infrastructure to supply electricity to ships at berth.”
Tory mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith said: “Clearly there should be an on-shore power unit. Levels of air pollution are far too high in our capital.”
Up to 50 cruise ships will annually dock at the terminal from next year, bringing a tourism bonanza.
