Deal close to save SS Robin

By John Hill on April 3, 2008 9:00 AM |

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A DEAL to save Canary Wharf’s historic steamship could be agreed within days.

Trustees feared the SS Robin could be scrapped if they could not raise money for hull repairs before it was sealed in West India Dock by Crossrail contractors.

But a last-minute twist may see the developers behind the £16billion London rail link pick up the £2million bill.

Crossrail is said to be on the verge of agreeing the deal as compensation for bringing preliminary work forward six months to the end of this year.

If an agreement is reached, the SS Robin will be taken to dry dock for repairs at the end of April, before being sealed next to Canary Wharf for at least five years while the Isle of Dogs station is being built.

Trust co-founder David Kampfner said: “There’s a light at the end of the tunnel now. It’s tense but we’re positive. There’s a deal there in principle, and it just needs everyone to put pen to paper.”

The trust failed in its £3m bid for Heritage Lottery funding this month, but hopes to receive the cost of “minimum essential works” as compensation for Crossrail’s change of schedule. It has even located a suitable dry dock 800 yards away along the Thames in Greenwich, but must secure a down payment urgently to avoid losing its space to other ships.

Mr Kampfner said: “The greatest danger is that the deal could become mired in bureaucracy, so we may just need a last groundswell of support to give us a final heave in the right direction.

“When this is sorted out, everyone will be able to say how great it is that Crossrail saved the SS Robin.”

Crossrail confirmed it was “continuing discussions” on the matter, and expressed a desire to “work
together” on arrangements during the construction period.

The Crossrail link between Farringdon and the Isle of Dogs is expected to be opened as part of the first phase of the project in 2017. The complete line will run from Maidenhead to Shenfield, with connections to Heathrow and Abbey Wood via Woolwich.

Canary Wharf Group is still lobbying the House of Lords Crossrail hearings to secure a time limit
on the use of the proposed North Quay site for construction work.

To sign the petition in support of the SS Robin, go here