More than 6,000 people have signed a petition to 'Save The Woolwich Free Ferry' in three days.

Transport for London (TfL) are planning to build new river crossings in east London which could put the future of the ferry at risk.

TfL currently has a legal obligation to run the Woolwich Ferry service but this could become obsolete if a crossing at Gallions Reach is built.

The petition, launched by Woolwich resident Graham Ward, states the Woolwich Ferry is an effective and much used piece of infrastructure in its own right.

Unite union, whose members run and operate the service have publicly backed the campaign.

Regional officer Onay Kasab said: "We think it's a vital part of infrastructure in London, if the ferry had not been there then traffic would have been much worse in the capital.

"We've got members whose families have worked on the ferry for generations so we'll be fighting to keep the ferry service."

TfL previously stated in a consultation that traffic from the ferry often causes tailbacks into Woolwich town centre, affecting buses and traffic and making the area unnattractive for pedestrians and cyclists.

TfL's managing director for planning, Richard de Cani, said: "We are continuing to work on a package of future new river crossings in east London that are needed to suppport the long-term growth plans for the area.

"This includes new fixed links at Silvertown, Gallions Reach and Belvedere alongside the new Crossrail tunnel at Woolwich, due to open in 2019.

"The future of the Woolwich Ferry is being reviewed as part of these plans but no final decision has been made with any decision subject to a consultation."

If the petition is signed by 7,000 people, Mr Ward has promised to hand deliver it to Boris Johnson at City Hall.

For more information on the petition, visit https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-the-woolwich-free-ferry#