The campaign against Enderby Wharf shifted up a gear last weekend when people from both sides of the river turned up to protest against the toxic cruise ship port. The message was clear - if a port is to be built ships must plug into an onshore power supply. No one wants giant cruise ships on our doorstep spewing out poisonous fumes - least of all families with children. You also have to wonder how owners of the luxury flats nearby will feel when they step out onto their balconies to be greeted by toxins equivalent to 688 lorries with their engines idling. So far media coverage has been very encouraging. Take a look at the article attached for South London Press’s report, or tune into Petrie Hosken on Radio London tomorrow around 7am when she'll be interviewing Laura Eyres, one of the leaders of local group EGRA (listen here at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p061pylf - from 2 hrs 51 mins). However, media attention is nothing unless we can persuade the government to legislate for onshore power. It’s up to Michael Gove and Sadiq Khan to wake up and smell the toxins. Some politicians, like Jim Fitzpatrick @FitzMP and Matthew Pennycook @mtpennycook have done a fantastic job, alerting Parliament to the problem. Here is a transcript of their comments on the need for onshore power a few days ago: https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2018-03-29/debates/81425AC5-215A-41AD-A8E1-89202929076C/AirQualityAndShore-To-ShipCharging Dr Alan Whitehead, MP for Southampton says: ‘Something can be done and indeed is being done in a number of ports across the world—that is, to plug vessels arriving in port into the port’s mains electricity system, so that a ship can switch off its engines and rely on shore power to do the job.’ But when asked by Jim Fitzpatrick: ‘Have the Government legislated on what ought to be the best practice in port?’ Mr Whitehead is forced to admit that there are no regulations that would mandate the introduction of shore-to-ship power! Meanwhile Greenwich Council still seem to be labouring under the delusion that people broadly support the toxic port. With over five thousand people vehemently saying NO, and people’s health on the line, we need legislation now. HOW CAN YOU HELP? If you're on twitter please direct tweet Michael Gove and Sadiq Khan in the first instance. Here’s something to get you started, though feel free to express things in your own way: @michaelgove @MayorofLondon Greenwich and Tower Hamlets are already pollution blackspots. Don’t let developers build a toxic cruise port. Legislate now. #NoToxicCruisePort https://chn.ge/2GnRHvm via @UKChange You might also want to tweet the leaders of Greenwich Council: @Royal_Greenwich @CllrDHyland @DanLThorpe Plug it in or pull the plug. We want a clean port or none at all. #NoToxicCruisePort @NoToxicPort https://chn.ge/2GnRHvm via @UKChange Finally the real estate investors, Morgan Stanley, and estate agents, JLL, who are putting the development up for sale could do with a gentle reminder: @MorganStanley @JLL TOXIC FUMES. TOXIC INVESTMENT. #enderbywharf #maritimeview #NoToxicCruisePort https://chn.ge/2GnRHvm via @UKChange Thank you. And watch this space. For reference: https://www.independent.ie/business/commercial-property/morgan-stanley-to-sell-london-housing-land-in-54m-deal-36115361.html