IFS Cloud Cable Car
Regardless of whether you deem the IFS Cloud Cable Car a white elephant, a political folly or just a mistake in terms of tourism, it cannot be denied that the view it provides over South East London is impressive. At a height of 90 metres (300 feet), on a bright and sunny day you can see from City Airport to Canary Wharf. Located at Greenwich Peninsula, the IFS Cloud Cable Car (as it is now called) opened in June 2012. It was initially promoted as a viable form of public transport across the Thames, linking North Greenwich and Royal Victoria stations. In October 2012, nearly 100,000 journeys were made. However, after the London Olympics, passenger rates fell and since then IFS Cloud Cable Car has become more of a tourist attraction, rather than an integral means of commuting.
Today, myself, Mrs P, the son and the three grandchildren took a bus from Sidcup to Greenwich Peninsula. The IFS Cloud Cable Car is a short walk from the bus terminus outside North Greenwich station. Fares are £6 for adults and £3 for children between the age of 5 and 15. Children under 5 travel free of charge. It cost us £24 for a one way trip to the other side of the river. We took the lift from the ticket office to the cable car platform and within minutes several gondolas arrived. As it was 10:30 AM on a Thursday, during the Easter holidays, most of the passengers were tourists. Access is safe and easy. Staff are available to help passengers accordingly. We were fortunate to have a gondola to ourselves and as the weather was bright without too much cloud, we had optimal conditions to enjoy the 10 minute journey over the river Thames.
Greenwich Peninsula, Canary Wharf, Poplar and Silver Town have been extensively redeveloped over the last 40 years. There are a few cranes preserved for posterity indicating that the area was at one time, a busy dock. However the waterfront and surrounding areas are now home to the O2 Arena, the ExCel Centre, City Hall and an ever expanding number of luxury apartments (owned by Chinese property developers and Russian oligarchs). Opulent yachts are moored in the Royal Victoria Dock and planes come and go at City Airport. The area certainly presents the modern face of London. Furthermore, there are still large swathes of land in the vicinity that are currently under development, indicating that the view from the IFS Cloud Cable Car may well be even more impressive in 5 years time.
Upon arrival on the other side of the Thames, we walked to Royal Victoria station and made our way to Westminster to see The Houses of Parliament. We then took a stroll through Victoria Tower Gardens South and crossed the Thames again at Lambeth Bridge. We walked along Albert Embankment path, past the National COVID Memorial Wall. It was our intention to take a riverboat back to Greenwich but there were delays as only a partial service was running. So we crossed back over the river at Westminster Bridge and caught a train back home from Charing Cross station. I used my prepaid Oyster Card for the various bus, tube and train journeys and the total cost was £13.20 which is extremely good value. Overall it was an interesting and enjoyable day and I would recommend the IFS Cloud Cable Car for its London views.
