Wandsworth has a new pier—or at least, a renamed one. Plantation Wharf Pier, a name that had sparked years of criticism over its links to slavery and colonialism, has officially been renamed St Mary’s Wandsworth, with fresh signage installed this week by Uber Boat by Thames Clippers.
The change, which came into effect on Monday alongside a new timetable, follows a campaign led by local residents, anti-racism advocates, and Battersea’s MP, who called the word “plantation” highly offensive and incompatible with the values of a modern, diverse community.
The pier’s original name was inherited from the adjacent Plantation Wharf housing and commercial development, built in the 1980s on the site of a former industrial dock. The complex includes buildings and streets with names like Cotton Row and Calico House, which campaigners, including ITV’s Rachelle Ferron, have described as normalising references to the transatlantic slave trade. Ferron first raised concerns in 2021, helping spark public pressure that ultimately led to the rebranding.
“I was taken aback to learn about Plantation Wharf on the world-renowned River Thames, which stood as a shameful signpost to slavery,” said Ferron. “I’m pleased that Uber Boat by Thames Clippers listened and led the way with a name that’s more appropriate for our times.”
Housing estate unchanged for now
While Uber Boat by Thames Clippers has completed the renaming of the pier, the housing estate has yet to follow suit. Vanessa Brady, chair of the board of directors for Plantation Wharf Management Ltd, said they are currently consulting residents but any name change would need to be funded by leaseholders. “This is not an unwillingness to negotiate, but as a private estate, any changes must be paid for by the residents,” she said.
The new name appears in Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ updated timetable, which also introduced slightly improved river services. Passengers departing from Putney Pier can now take advantage of:
- Weekday services: All morning RB6 sailings run between Putney and Canary Wharf. Off-peak RB6 boats now run every 30 minutes to Battersea Power Station, with hourly stops at the newly renamed St Mary’s Wandsworth.
- Weekend services: A new RB6 weekend route now runs every 30 minutes between Putney and North Greenwich, stopping at St Mary’s Wandsworth along the way.
The renaming of the pier was part of a wider refresh by the riverbus operator, which also saw Doubletree Docklands Pier renamed Rotherhithe Pier.
For full schedules and updates, passengers are encouraged to visit thamesclippers.com.
