Ferry bridges the gap

Commuters whose morning journeys were thrown into turmoil on the first day of the six-week closure of Tower Bridge found an unlikely alternative in a Thames ferry.

The Princess Rose transported 500 commuters across the river yesterday morning at a fare of £1 each way. The service is being provided by City Cruises and Conran Restaurants, which runs four restaurants by the bridge's south end, at a cost of £400 a day.

City Cruises director of operations, Paul Wilson, declared passengers were "very pleased" with the service and added: "Lots of people didn't even know about it so I am sure there will be more soon."

But by the middle of the day the ferry was suffering teething problems. Architect Ray Smith, 39, waited more than 25 minutes for the crossing, which lasts less than five. Late for a lunchtime meeting, he said: "I'll walk next time.

I don't think we should have to pay either. It's not our fault the bridge is closed and it is seriously inconvenient."

Mark Cooper, 37, an interior contractor, said: "It looks pretty but I walked via London Bridge this morning and it took me 35 minutes. So far I have been waiting 25 minutes for the ferry to leave."

Tower Bridge, used by an estimated 40,000 pedestrians and drivers every day, will be out of action until 16 February for engineering work. The ferry runs between St Katharine's Pier and Butler's Wharf Pier and is available on weekdays from 7:30am to 9:30am, midday to 3pm and 4pm to 10pm.