The London Port Health Authority serves business and protects
the nation through the provision of the following services:
We aim to provide professional, effective and efficient
services with the quickest possible turnaround times for
consignments of imported foods and products of animal origin, so
that doing business in the Port of London is both cost effective
and adds value to the product. Controls are administered by
automated cargo handling systems. A standby service for infectious
disease control is available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the
year.
For administrative purposes the district is divided into two
divisions: Tilbury and Upper Thames and Thamesport and Lower
Thames. Offices are located at Charlton - the base for the Upper
Thames launch, Denton - the base for the Lower
Thames launch, and the ports of Tilbury, Thamesport (Isle of
Grain) and Sheerness. The district also includes, to the south, the
lower reaches of the River Medway with the ports of Queenborough
and Ridham Dock and, to the north, parts of the River Crouch, the
River Roach and its tributaries. Cargo handling operations
continue 24 hours per day, seven days per week at Tilbury and
Thamesport and Port Health cover is maintained on a shift basis
throughout a 14 hour period on weekdays. Weekend cover is provided
on a regular basis at Tilbury, Thamesport and other areas of the
port as required.
The staff of the London Port Health Authority include the Port
Health Services Director who is based at Walbrook Wharf in the City
of London, Port Health Inspectors, Official
Veterinarians,Technical Assistants, General Assistants,
and Support Assistants who are located at various offices in
the district, together with launch crew who operate the Authority's
launches, "Lady Aileen", "Londinium III", "Hygeia" a Rigid
Inflatable Boat (RIB), a smaller RIB and a work boat.
The Authority engages the services of Public Analysts,
Consultants in Communicable Disease Control and Boarding Medical
Officers. The Authority also uses the services of the Health
Protection Agency at three locations, Colindale, Ashford, and
Chelmsford.
The Authority also works closely with the Port of London
Authority (PLA) who is responsible for navigational safety and
related matters on 150km (95 miles) of the tidal Thames from the
sea to Teddington in west London. The PLA provides navigational,
pilotage and other services for users of the Thames. London is
the second largest port in the UK and handles over 53
million tonnes of cargo each year. The Port comprises over 70
independently owned and operated terminals and port facilities at
different locations on the Thames. These handle a wide range of
cargoes. London also has a busy passenger boat trade for tourists
and commuters and is a popular destination for international
passenger cruise ships. The tidal Thames is also used widely by
those with small recreational craft of many types. Further
information can be viewed on the PLA website.