Thames bridge designs revealed

By Rob Virtue on April 17, 2008 9:00 AM |

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THIS is the spectacular design of a bridge which cyclists and pedestrians could soon be using to get to and from Canary Wharf.

It was revealed in a feasibility study for the proposed Thames Bridge. The study places the cost at £65million and sees the preferred location as between Durand’s Wharf in Southwark and Westferry Road on the Isle of Dogs – 300 metres south of Westferry Circus.

The report was commissioned by Transport for London (TfL), following the original idea from Sustrans, the sustainable transport charity.

Carl Pittam, Sustrans’ director for London, said: “This study is crucial as it tells us that the bridge is feasible, the location is right and puts a real figure against its cost.

“The next step will be a detailed analysis of the potential numbers and users of the bridge. We will continue to work with TfL and the relevant boroughs to ensure the process continues to run smoothly and that we build on the positive news this latest report brings.”

The date of completion of the Thames Bridge will depend on when it is decided who will fund the project – but it is not expected to arrive before 2012.

Sustrans hopes it will be funded by a mixture of TfL, local authorities on either side of the river and business groups.

The latest plans see the middle of the bridge lifting up to allow boats to pass under it as opposed to each end lifting up independently.

If the plans go ahead it will be the longest cycle and pedestrian bridge with a vertical lift system.

A spokeswoman for Sustrans said: “This new plan, which sees the whole of the walkway lift up, will greatly reduce waiting times for cyclists and pedestrians.

The central section will only have to move up to the height of the passing boats, so it will not have to open fully each time.”

Sustrans says the positioning in the bridge at Westferry Road is designed to give thousands of people south of the river access to the Olympic Park, Canary Wharf and the rest of the Thames Gateway.

It will coincide with other cycle routes in the area, including the Senegal Bridge scheme at South Bermondsey and a path running north of the Thames along Limehouse and into Canary Wharf.

Both of these Sustrans schemes will be completed with the use of a lottery windfall received last year.

rob.virtue@wharf.co.uk