Skip to main content

Plans for new Thames crossing unveiled

On the 120th anniversary of the completion of London’s Tower Bridge, Arup, along with architects HOK, has unveiled its plans for a new bridge across the River Thames. The US$1 billion concept, called ‘Bridge East London’, would help transform leisure and business travel and enhance life in the east of the capital. It suggests a new road bridge over the River Thames, linking Beckton and Thamesmead at Gallions Reach. The proposed bridge would allow clear passage for ships and takes into account aircraf
July 1, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
On the 120th anniversary of the completion of London’s Tower Bridge, Arup, along with architects HOK, has unveiled its plans for a new bridge across the River Thames.

The US$1 billion concept, called ‘Bridge East London’, would help transform leisure and business travel and enhance life in the east of the capital. It suggests a new road bridge over the River Thames, linking Beckton and Thamesmead at Gallions Reach.

The proposed bridge would allow clear passage for ships and takes into account aircraft taking off or landing at City Airport. It would also provide a much needed link for cyclists, who will be able to enjoy a segregated cycle path, and open up new bus routes crossing the river.

Colin Stanbridge, chief executive, LCCI, says: “Nearly half of London’s population lives east of Tower Bridge yet they are served by only two fixed road river crossings.”

“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. Infrastructure projects such as Crossrail are going a long way to help increase capacity but this proposed bridge could provide a much needed link for east London,” commented Arup director Stephanos Samaras.

“Improving connectivity and accessibility is a key element of the regenerative process, and we strongly believe that a new bridge in this location will act as a powerful stimulant to growth, the strengthening of local communities and businesses, and the enhancement of the local environment,” said Richard Gammon, HOK’s global director, Aviation + Transportation.

Related Content

  • Intelligent crossing points leads to safer future for pedestrians
    May 19, 2014
    An innovative project at a busy UK retail park could provide the blueprint for a new approach to pedestrian safety, according to its developers. The system utilised hard-wired active flashing LED road studs from Rennicks UK to delineate the crossing, in conjunction with LED warning signs from Swarco. Pole-mounted C-Walk pedestrian detectors from Flir activate the high performance LED studs to create a striking visual warning for motorists approaching an internal crossing at Giltbrook, near Nottingham.
  • US eyes European model for Illinois toll road upgrade
    May 30, 2014
    David Crawford welcomes the adoption of European-style ITS technology by the US. The Jane Addams Memorial Tollway in Illinois, US is well on the way towards becoming a ‘smart traffic corridor’, taking full advantage of active traffic management (ATM or ‘managed lanes’) technology that originated in Europe. It is one of the first American toll roads to do so; preliminary work began in 2014 and will continue through to 2016. Jane Addams is one of four toll roads operated by the publicly-owned Illinois State T
  • ITS Australia starts countdown to ITSWC2016 in Melbourne
    June 14, 2016
    In just five month’s time, the 23rd ITS World Congress will open in Melbourne, Australia, hosted by ITS Australia on behalf of ITS Asia Pacific, Ertico and ITS America. Susan Harris, CEO of ITS Australia is here in San Jose to promote what promises to be not just an unmissable event, but an important business opportunity for American firms.
  • Pioneering new passenger information systems
    February 3, 2012
    Chicago pioneers new passenger information initiatives. By David Crawford