Thames cable car contractors named

By Simon Hayes on April 18, 2011 10:41 AM |

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Mayor of London Boris Johnson has formally confirmed that work to build a cable car across the Thames will begin this summer and that Transport for London will foot the bill.

As revealed exclusively in The Wharf last week, work will start on the scheme after contractors for the £40million link were confirmed.

The consortium will be led by Mace, and includes cable car specialists, Dopplemayr, and Watson Steel, URS Scott Wilson, Buro Happold and Aedas.

But what is not clear is who will fund the project, with Tfl putting in the cash for work to get started. This is despite a pledge from Mr Johnson that the cable car would be entirely privately-funded.

TfL has been negotiating with a number of parties over the commercial rights for the scheme, which was first announced last summer, but their search for a principal partner have so far proved fruitless.

A tender process has opened for partners to invest in the scheme, including branding and naming rights. The Mayor hopes this will enable TfL to recoup its upfront costs.

The cable car, designed by Wilkinson Eyre, will span the river between North Greenwich and the Royal Docks. It will be capable of carrying up to 2,500 passengers an hour. Fares and operating times have not been revealed.

Critics of the project say is does not answer the pressing need for improved river crossings in east London.