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New bridge between Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf would see over 10,000 cycle journeys a day according to Sustrans

Charity publishes feasibility study

Sustrans says that a new bike bridge over the Thames between Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf would take major pressure off London’s public transport network. A feasibility study published by the charity shows that a new bridge would see 10,200 cycle journeys and 3,000 walking journeys a day: the equivalent of 15 full Tube trains or 160 buses full of passengers.

Writing on the Sustrans website, Sustrans London deputy director Matt Winfield says that a third of London’s growth to 2030 is set to happen in the east, beyond Tower Bridge. This includes a doubling in the number of jobs on the Isle of Dogs and over 4,000 new homes around Canada Water station – just a few hundred metres apart, but currently demanding huge detours for pedestrians and cyclists.

“All of these new homes, jobs and services will need better connectivity. To make this trip today is a choice between a fume filled tunnel, a packed tube train or a pricey ferry. There is a gap here between the commute these Londoners need and the commute they are forced to make.”

There are 34 bridges across the Thames, but only one is east of Tower Bridge. According to Winfield:

“A beautifully designed bridge will make cycling and walking a quick, clean and healthy alternative to a busy tube train.

“If we make it a pleasant, quick option then people will take it. The bridge could effectively empty 15 Tube trains or 160 buses. We need London’s Mayoral candidates to pledge to bridge the gap, starting with a design competition to find an exciting and attractive design."

In November, a ground-breaking design owing much to Tower Bridge was unveiled and was reported to be Sustrans’ preferred option.

Currently, the proposed bridge has the support of mayoral candidates Sadiq Khan, Zac Goldsmith, Caroline Pidgeon and Sian Berry.

Chris Boardman, British Cycling policy advisor said:  

“A new cycling bridge would ease the pressure on transport and make cycling an attractive option for thousands of people in a growing east and south east London. With bicycles now outnumbering cars on most crossings the bridge would also serve as a spectacular statement from the new mayor that cycling is a core part of the capital’s transport strategy.”

You can sign up to support the bridge on the Sustrans website, while the charity is also encouraging people to tweet about the project using the hashtag #bridgethegapLDN.  

Transport for London has been working with Sustrans on this first phase of the project and says it has plans for a design competition later this year. It is also looking to explore ways in which public and private sector funding could be raised.

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10 comments

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northrj@gmail.com | 9 years ago
1 like

This crossing is needed, Greenwich and Woolwich foot tunnels cannot cope with volume cycling. Oh, There are 34 bridges across the Thames, but only one is east of Tower Bridge"? Just to be clear, that's the Dartford M25 crossing and its not exactly cyclist-friendly!

Avatar
Pyranha | 9 years ago
0 likes

Presumably you can still walk your bike through the Greenwich Foot Tunnel?  I rode through the Blackwall Tunnel a few times when a reckless youth (and quite late at night), so there are more crossings, just none to be recommended.   I live in Scotland now, so this wouldn't affect me much, but I can see that it's a bit more useful than the garden bridge. 

Avatar
BearstedCC | 9 years ago
0 likes

Nice... Very Nice...

Avatar
Edgeley | 9 years ago
0 likes

Has anyone ever taken their bike on the other east of Tower Bridge crossing, the ridiculous Dangleway cable car?

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jollygoodvelo replied to Edgeley | 9 years ago
1 like

Edgeley wrote:

Has anyone ever taken their bike on the other east of Tower Bridge crossing, the ridiculous Dangleway cable car?

I have.  It's pointless.

 

Good point though - technically there are two crossings.  You can be shuttled across the QEII bridge or through the Dartford Tunnel too.

 

The case for this bridge is completely, unbelievably obvious.  Get it built.

Avatar
I love my bike replied to jollygoodvelo | 9 years ago
0 likes

Gizmo_ wrote:

Edgeley wrote:

Has anyone ever taken their bike on the other east of Tower Bridge crossing, the ridiculous Dangleway cable car?

I have.  It's pointless.

 

Good point though - technically there are two crossings.  You can be shuttled across the QEII bridge or through the Dartford Tunnel too.

 

The case for this bridge is completely, unbelievably obvious.  Get it built.

 

Indeed, get one built - it can have trees (if they don't need £millions annual care) on it too, if that makes any difference.

Also, don't forget the two foot tunnels & the free Woolwich ferry. The Rotherhithe tunnel is possible too, but unpleasant.

Avatar
earth | 9 years ago
0 likes

In previous years you could bet that if you were to ride over a stretch of grass for long enough to wear a track out then Sustrans would be right along to pave over the track and call it a shared use path.  Nice to see Sustrans are upping their game.

Avatar
Dnnnnnn | 9 years ago
1 like

Build it!

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flathunt | 9 years ago
1 like

I'd be 2 of those journeys, who are the other 9998? I reckon 10k is very conservative.

Avatar
zanf | 9 years ago
8 likes

It would also be a public right of way, would be open 24 hours a day, and wouldnt reek of the nepotism and corruption that a certain garden bridge does.

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