The new Riverside Stand development will create an iconic high quality design that will establish a benchmark for mixed-use stadia, used throughout the year including on non-match days. Integral to this is a design that complements the riverside and creates a contemporary waterfront destination and a natural social gathering place for the local community, rather than just a football stand.
Fulham Football Club is incredibly fortunate to occupy a site overlooking the river. The Riverside Stand development will significantly enhance the football stadium’s interaction with the river. However, we consider it would be a missed opportunity if a river transport connection, serving the site by extending existing passenger boat services on the river - a sustainable form of transport - was not considered for use by the local community, football fans and visitors to the area.
Initial work has shown that the local area has great potential demand for a river boat service for commuting, leisure and community use. With this in mind, it is intended that a pier is created as part of the site, which would connect the Riverside Stand development to central London and would offer the local community improved transport infrastructure. The proposal is that the riverbus service from the Riverside Stand will form part of the existing network of riverbus services operating along the Thames, providing river access for leisure and commuter use to other parts of London as an alternative to road and rail services.
Fulham Football Club’s project team has been working on developing a concept design for a passenger pier and the emerging design is shown in the first two pictures below.
The design of the pier, by Danish Architecture practice ‘Maritime Architecture Studio’, creates a new link along the riverside walk from Bishops Park to the South and Stevenage Park to the North. The extended walkway will be open to the general public for use throughout the year, including during match days when the main riverside walkway is closed, enabling the boat services to maintain operations for the public on match days. This will form an important, unique addition to the Thames Path route for all to enjoy throughout the day, every day. A new integrated ticketing and multi-event space is also proposed. A pedestrian bridge connects the extended riverside walkway to a floating passenger pontoon which includes covered space and a seating area for waiting passengers. A secondary boat pontoon is also being considered directly at the rear of the main pontoon.
Inspired by the historic Thames riverside, natural materials are being considered for the construction of the pier that improve with age and weathering. The design is also looking to integrate trees and landscaping to deliver ecological and wider environmental benefits and create an appropriate green natural ‘edge’ to the Riverside Stand development and its interaction with the river.
As well offering passenger services, the opportunity for deliveries to the Riverside Stand by boat are also being considered, potentially reducing current vehicle road trips of this nature to the site.
The concept for the pier is at the early design stage and, following feedback from this initial consultation and a navigational risk assessment, the design will be developed over the coming months ahead of a full public consultation later this year.
We are really excited about this opportunity and the benefits it will bring to the new Riverside Stand development, local businesses, residents, supporters, and the general area. We look forward to receiving your feedback.
