Transport charity Sustrans is carrying out a detailed feasibility study into its plan to build a bridge for walkers and cyclists across the River Thames between Canary Wharf and Rotherhithe.
Transport for London has granted funding of £170,000, supplemented with £30,000 from businesses in the area, for Sustrans to investigate the potential of the new bridge, and the detailed study is due to be completed in August.
Current plans envisage a new 400-metre long bridge spanning the river between Rotherhithe and the Isle of Dogs with an opening section in the middle to allow ships to pass.
Sustains claims the bridge could be open as soon as 2020.
“Sustrans is delighted to have received this funding from TfL and other partners to be able to move forward with the feasibility work on this crossing,” said Malcolm Shepherd, Chief Executive of Sustrans.
“It could enable millions of sustainable cross-river journeys and make it far easier for people to choose a healthier travel option.
“With high-quality links to destinations either side, it will make walking and cycling a real choice for hundreds of thousands of residents, workers and visitors”.
Richard de Cani, TfL’s managing director for planning, said: “As London’s population grows towards 10 million people, we need a number of new river crossings to improve connectivity and reduce congestion on existing road and rail services.
“A new pedestrian and cycle crossing between the Isle of Dogs and Rotherhithe and Canada Water would encourage more people to walk and cycle to Canary Wharf, improving access to amenities and jobs and providing an alternative to the Jubilee line for shorter trips.
“TfL is working with Sustrans and the private sector on developing this proposal by pledging funding towards the first phase of feasibility work.”
Isabel Dedring, Deputy Mayor for Transport said: “More than a third of London’s expected population growth is expected to happen in East London and we urgently need more crossings – for all types of transport users. So we are delighted to be able to offer this funding to help progress Sustrans’ proposed cycling and walking bridge.”
Liberal Democrat London Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon added: “Unlike the Garden Bridge this is a bridge that is desperately needed and where public money should be spent.
“A pedestrian and cycling bridge linking Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf would help reduce congestion by making it so much easier to get between Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf by foot or bike. It would link two parts of London and help ease overcrowding on the Jubilee Line.
“I have long backed cyclists who have been campaigning for this new crossing and it is real credit to them and of course to Simon Hughes that this first step is now being taken in making this bridge a reality.”