CONCERNS have been raised that the new Thames cable car could be in danger of being hit by a plane.

The £25m cable car system will run over the River Thames from Greenwich Peninsula to Royal Victoria Dock in Newham - a distance of 1,100m.

It will hang 54.1m above the water and carry 2,500 passengers per hour.

However, environmental charity, Friends of the Earth claim the cable car would pass through the bigger public safety zone of the extended City Airport.

Friends of the Earth campaigner, Jenny Bates said: “The safety of the route has been jeopardised by City Airport expansion plans.

“Although it is not likely, there is a risk the gondolas could be hit by a plane, or affected by crashes on the ground.

"The dangers do not seem to have been properly assessed.”

The Civil Aviation Authority is drafting a new crash zone that will apply once the number of flights doubles.

Certain kinds of development are prohibited in a public safety zone to protect people who may be at risk if a plane crash lands or overshoots the runway.

A Transport for London spokesman, said: “We undertook a number of consultations with the public and stakeholders, including London City Airport, this included an assessment against policies relating to public safety ”

Chairman of Greenwich Council’s planning board, Councillor Ray Walker told News Shopper: “Friends of the Earth and TFL were present at the meeting when we approved plan.

"We listened to both sides of the argument and made a balanced decision. "