Emirates Air Line to close for one week for planned maintenance
The Emirates Air Line is to be closed for important and planned maintenance work for one week from 18 to 24 March 2013.
The work that will be carried out is a statutory requirement and is in line with annual essential maintenance programmes that take place on cable cars around the world.
However the closure period is much shorter than others as the Emirates Air Line has a modern structure and covers a shorter distance than other cable cars.
The nature of the work means that it must be carried out in daylight hours.
It will include comprehensive weight testing for each of the 34 cabins and a full inspection of the sheave wheels that the cable passes through at the top of the three helix towers.
Transport for London's (TfL's) Head of the Emirates Air Line, Danny Price said: 'The Emirates Air Line has already carried over 1.9 million passengers and customer satisfaction with the service is very high.
'It is playing a vital role in attracting investment to the local area and supporting its growth.
'This short period of maintenance work is an essential part of the ongoing operation of the Emirates Air Line and will mean there will not be any other planned closures this year.
'We apologise to anyone affected and have tried to ensure it is taking place at a time when it will cause the least disruption.'
While the closure is in place the nearest alternative public transport is North Greenwich Tube station on the south side of the Emirates Air Line served by the Jubilee line and Royal Victoria Docklands Light Railway station on the north side of the scheme.
Both are a short walk away from the Emirates Air Line.
Bus services are available from North Greenwich bus station and Royal Victoria. River services also operate from North Greenwich Pier next to the Emirates Greenwich Peninsula terminal.
The Emirates Air Line was built to support the Mayor of London's plans to revive the neighbouring areas it connects which have been neglected for decades, by creating jobs for Londoners and stimulating growth.
The Mayor has established the Green Enterprise District stretching across east London making the Royal Docks an ideal base for high-tech manufacturing, research and green enterprise.
The Royal Docks has also recently been awarded Enterprise Zone status by the Government, which will mean businesses locating to the area will benefit from substantial business rates relief over five years as well as a simplified planning approach to development within the zone.
The Royal Docks has already attracted investment from Siemens with the arrival of the Crystal, a sustainable cities initiative and other developments coming to the area in the future such as a new 452 room hotel next to The O2 with residential apartments will benefit from the Emirates Air Line providing a direct river crossing between Greenwich and the Royal Docks.
TFL
