A proposed £600M Thames crossing linking Beckton and Thamesmead could add £55.7M to the London economy each year according to the London Chamber of Commerce.
Designs for the bridge have been revealed by architect HOK and engineering consultancy Arup on the 120th anniversary of the completion of Tower Bridge.
The civil engineering concept called ‘Bridge East London’ would allow clear passage for ships and takes into account aircraft taking off or landing at City Airport. It would also provide a link for cyclists, who will be catered for by a segregated cycle path, and open up new bus routes across the River Thames. This initiative will create hundreds of construction jobs which number is yet to confirm.
It has been estimated that nearly half of London’s population lives east of Tower Bridge yet they are served by only two fixed road river crossings. Most of the capital’s predicted population growth during the next 20 years is expected to be in the east.
It is hoped that the vision of a new bridge will help inspire all Londoners, whether business leaders, politicians, residents or commuters, to back the ‘Bridge East London’ campaign, launched by London Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
London Mayor Boris Johnson is now backing the project having previously cancelled it during his first term.
Richard Gammon, HOK’s Global Director, Aviation & Transportation, said: “If the full potential of east London is to be harnessed and maximised to the benefit of our growing city, then we need to provide catalysts to enable that potential to flourish.”
Stephanos Samaras, Director at Arup aded: “London’s infrastructure is already under pressure and as the city’s population continues to grow it is more important than ever that we provide better accessibility and connectivity to integrate communities.”
