These days anyone standing in this spot on the quayside could take a few paces to the left and seat themselves outside the Pitcher & Piano Bar Restaraunt and lift a glass of their favourite tipple to their lips.
In this 1968 view lifting of a different nature is apparent as rolls of newsprint from Scandinavia are transferred to a British Road Services lorry. As a low cost paper made from wood pulp newsprint is chiefly used for printing newspapers and was regularly handled here.
The quayside was a busy place at times as a wide variety of cargoes were loaded or discharged along the quay. Despite the potential dangers inherent in such operations its hard to believe that the general public had access to the quay from the adjoining public road. The gentleman strolling through the activity on this day appears unconcerned about the heavy roll swinging over his head as he makes his way around the lorry and gangway obstructing the quay.
I clearly remember one occasion when I was leaning on my bike engrossed in the goings on around me when I became aware of an irate voice shouting at me. I don't know how long the crane driver up in his cab had been trying to attract my attention but when his moving crane came within a few feet of my rear wheel I got the message and made a hasty retreat from my position straddling his tracks. Happy days!