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Transport for London has begun an eight-week consultation on plans for a new pedestrian and cycling crossing across the Thames between Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf.
The proposal forms part of the Mayor’s wider package of river crossings and new walking and cycling infrastructure in east London set out in his Manifesto and draft Transport Strategy. It could see a new river crossing linking thousands of people directly between Canada Water and Canary Wharf.
The crossing would link into existing and planned cycle routes on both sides of the river. With a dedicated walking and cycling bridge being TfL’s preferred option, it would directly encourage more people to cycle and walk in the local area, supporting the Mayor’s aim for 80 per cent of Londoners’ trips to be on foot, by cycle or by public transport by 2041.
TfL’s recently published Strategic Cycling Analysis showed how the route from Peckham, through Rotherhithe and across the river to Canary Wharf and Hackney, should be looked at in more detail to help encourage more cycling. The latest modelling by TfL suggests that, with future growth and development in the local area, by 2031 more than two million pedestrian and cyclist journey every year are expected to be made using the bridge. This could increase further if walking and cycling improvements are delivered across the wider area.
Based on the studies carried out so far, a navigable bridge is TfL’s preferred option, and it has begun to investigate this option in greater detail. As part of the consultation, TfL is seeking views on the selection of this preferred option and different aspects of a navigable bridge. These include the specific location of a bridge option, the height that the bridge would be, as well as other considerations such as the overall design and considerations about how a bridge would open for large ships to pass on the river.
Deputy mayor for transport Val Shawcross said: “It’s great news that we’ve started the formal process for a new walking and cycling crossing between Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf. This area of east London has seen huge growth in recent years, and our desire for a dedicated crossing for cyclists and pedestrians shows our real commitment to greener forms of transport across London. It will provide vital new connections to work, shopping and leisure facilities for thousands of local residents and provide a new route for commuters into Canary Wharf. We now want everyone to have their say before we outline further details of how we can make this ambition a reality.”
Based on the responses to this consultation, TfL will determine the most appropriate form of crossing and continue to develop more detailed designs, together with a construction timeline. TfL will then look to consult on the designs for the crossing in 2018.
