. For those acquainted with the access offereded in countries such as the US, Japan or even here in Italy, the London landing restrictions (a failure of the BHA, CAA and city planners) is as depressing as it is frustrating.
Aside from the loss of service to passengers, the London scenario breeds a lack of efficiency which, through the increasingly-integrated EU, could easily spread to other metropolitan centres across Europe. As originally stated somewhere near the start of this thread, London would do well to become an example of landing facilitation instead of the opposite.
The Ham Polo Club site is a welcome addittion I am sure but, as ShyTorque mentioned, it is some distance from the city centre (further than Battersea) and I therefore can't see how it will be of much help. They would have tried negotiating something with the Hurlingham Club which, if memory serves, (from my days in the City) was not far from Putney Bridge (at least a little closer!).
Thames Map - Richmond's 'Ham Polo Club' not even appearing!
To be sincere, if it is to be of effect, a new city heliport should be situated somewhere between Westminster and Blackfriars Bridge but, you have a bigger problem on your hands in the UK than space and planning permission - apathy!
You can't tell me that if the BHA assembled a capable team backed by the active support of interested operators, and began a comprehensive crusade to address this issue and which involved (if necessary) providing demonstrations of the helicopter's usefulness along with convincing presentations of the multiple benefits of improved helicopter access - that they would achieve nothing! Education, political marketing and perseverence can win through.
What some people fail to see (BHA/CAA) is that by giving up on London's helicopter access the industry is actually striking itself in the tail because it will become known by operators and passengers alike that city access is limited and the latter will merely seek alternative solutions.
The fact of the matter is that better city access for helicopters could boost operator business, contribute to the city's economy and offer important access/egress during emergency scenarios.
While Police and Ambulance aircraft have gone a long way to shed the image of helicopters as the preserve of high net worth individuals, there remains a perception at the grass roots level, along with an envy at official levels, which still sees helicopters in this way and the BHA (and others) need to address this.
Take city and CAA officials and uninitiated company executives on demonstration flights, make presentations to local residents groups (invite them to operator bases and give them a day out) and remind them that a helicopter landing facility near their home = improved emergency response times and a potential 'way out' in a disaster situation.
If BHA and others were to latch onto this task with your 'bulldog' determination they
could come through because what I know in this life is that if you are determined enough .. anything is possible.
Maybe UK operators don't want the additional business and they are happy to see things stagnate the way they are. What if improved access really could boost business! And it could.
Finally - The answer may not come in the form of a cleared plot along the banks of the Thames, in fact, the most enterprising solution (in my view) would be a slightly longer term (and perhaps more ambitious) appraoch whereby the battle begins with gaining the active backing of the City of London, CAA and others. With their support, policy should be developed for new buildings encouraging sufficiently sized landing pads (presumably space for two aircraft) in as many different locations as possible. Older buildings, to which realistic modifications could be made, should be offered a development grant to undertake construction for an approved landing pad. Such a grant could be justified by government under 'security' measures.
With the CAA's cooperation these pads should be allowed to operate safely (but without cumbersome restrictions). Building owners can be offered a 'helipad operating manual' (perhaps prepared by the CAA/BHA) offering help and advice and demonstrating how such a facility could contribute towards building revenues while offering added safety.
Local workers/residents could draw comfort from knowing that in an emergency situation there is a nearby entry and departure point for prospective assistance and lastly, passengers would finally be offered a selection of sights across the city from which to chose from thereby enhancing helicopter service efficiency and doubtless boosting business.
Dream? Perhaps. But, it
could be implemented by the right people. A few interested operators could collaborate to throw in a handful of money for the BHA to recruit to full time time to make this happen - if they wanted!
S.