Plans are once more being put forward for a new bridge spanning the River Thames in East London. The proposed structure is expected to cost in the region of €750 million (£600 million) to build and has been designed by 1419 Arup and HOK. The campaign for the new bridge is being led by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), which says that there is a desperate need for an additional crossing. The campaign group also has the support of City Airport, which lies on the north side of the Thames and would benefit strongly from another direct road link across the river.
The bridge project has been proposed on several previous occasions, with the first having been made as far back as the 1940s. In the early 1990s a concrete box girder bridge was put forward as an option for the link but its design was criticised for being unaesthetic, as well as being too close to the design limitations of this bridge type for the period. In more recent years the bridge was again suggested, with several possible routes being proposed. The need for the bridge is apparent, given the population growth to the north and south of the river at this point and the small number of current crossings. Traffic flows through the existing bridge and tunnel at Dartford and the twin tube Blackwall Tunnel are intense, with heavy congestion being experienced at peak periods as well as frequent jams and long delays for commuters. The suggested option for the proposed new road bridge would link Beckton at Gallions Reach with Thamesmead, providing a new connection to join the A406 North Circular Road with the A2 to the south of the river. The proposed design allows clear passage for ships and also takes into account the flightpaths of aircraft using City Airport. The new link also provides a segregated cycle path, and would open up new bus routes crossing the river. The concrete box girder structure proposed previously would allow for aviation and shipping but as its design was heavily criticised the latest concept looks to be a more aesthetic structure featuring low towers and a partial cable-stayed concept.
The project does face several challenges however, with the necessary link roads being a cause for some debate. A previous proposal was blocked on environmental grounds as it threatened Oxleas Wood. While some of the route runs through brownfield areas that have seen heavy industrial use in the past and require rehabilitation, there are environmental concerns about other stretches of the link roads that will connect with existing expressways.
It is worth noting that had the project been given the go-ahead when last mooted in 2008, it would now be open to traffic.
The bridge project has been proposed on several previous occasions, with the first having been made as far back as the 1940s. In the early 1990s a concrete box girder bridge was put forward as an option for the link but its design was criticised for being unaesthetic, as well as being too close to the design limitations of this bridge type for the period. In more recent years the bridge was again suggested, with several possible routes being proposed. The need for the bridge is apparent, given the population growth to the north and south of the river at this point and the small number of current crossings. Traffic flows through the existing bridge and tunnel at Dartford and the twin tube Blackwall Tunnel are intense, with heavy congestion being experienced at peak periods as well as frequent jams and long delays for commuters. The suggested option for the proposed new road bridge would link Beckton at Gallions Reach with Thamesmead, providing a new connection to join the A406 North Circular Road with the A2 to the south of the river. The proposed design allows clear passage for ships and also takes into account the flightpaths of aircraft using City Airport. The new link also provides a segregated cycle path, and would open up new bus routes crossing the river. The concrete box girder structure proposed previously would allow for aviation and shipping but as its design was heavily criticised the latest concept looks to be a more aesthetic structure featuring low towers and a partial cable-stayed concept.
The project does face several challenges however, with the necessary link roads being a cause for some debate. A previous proposal was blocked on environmental grounds as it threatened Oxleas Wood. While some of the route runs through brownfield areas that have seen heavy industrial use in the past and require rehabilitation, there are environmental concerns about other stretches of the link roads that will connect with existing expressways.
It is worth noting that had the project been given the go-ahead when last mooted in 2008, it would now be open to traffic.
