River Crossings

Got this email today about the Mayor's plans for river crossings:

I am writing to let you know that, today the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has set out a package of new river crossings to be built in the next five to 10 years in the east and southeast of London that will vastly improve travel across the capital, while supporting new affordable homes and business opportunities.

These include:
· Plans for a new pedestrian and cycle bridge linking Rotherhithe & Canary Wharf to be accelerated
· A series of enhancements to be made to the proposals for Silvertown Tunnel to make it greener and more public transport-focused, and exploring further benefits for local residents who use the tunnel
· A DLR crossing at Gallions Reach, helping support development of around 17,000 new homes across Newham and the Royal Borough of Greenwich
· Further assessment work for a Barking Riverside-Abbey Wood London Overground crossing
· Further assessment of a North Greenwich-Isle of Dogs ferry, supporting new development on the Greenwich Peninsula and the Isle of Dogs
Silvertown Tunnel

With congestion and air quality around the Blackwall Tunnel predicted to get worse in the coming years as London’s population grows, the Silvertown Tunnel is vital to provide a more reliable crossing as well as ensure goods and services can continue to be transported around London. The tunnel, which would open in 2023 and be paid for via a user charge, will help significantly reduce traffic queues. It will also support freight and delivery businesses by providing a more reliable route.

The proposed tunnel was consulted on last year and following enhancements requested by the Mayor, a six-month Public Examination will begin next week (11 October).
Enhancements include:

· A clear commitment within TfL’s Business Plan to support the new buses through the tunnel which are vital to improving travel and supporting growth, as well as a bus concession for local residents for a period, with the tunnel to be one of London’s low emission bus zones when it opens.
· TfL will also look at providing a bespoke cycle-bus which will carry cyclists and their bikes through the tunnel on a turn-up and go basis.
· Reduced road use by construction vehicles with 55 per cent of all material now set to be carried via the river. TfL will also review this throughout the project to see whether this could be increased further.
· All vehicles working on the construction of the Silvertown Tunnel will be Euro 6 and comply with the Mayor’s new Direct Vision Standard.
· Further pedestrian and cycling improvements to the local areas on both sides of the tunnel entrance.
· Exploring further benefits for local residents who use the tunnel
Rotherhithe to Canary Wharf link

The Mayor has also asked for the acceleration of the new pedestrian and cycling bridge linking Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf – a key manifesto commitment. The new bridge will make it easier for people south of the river to link to Cycle Superhighway 3 – the East-West Cycle Superhighway – as well as provide people north of the river better access to the Thames Path and planned cycle routes throughout Southwark.

Due to the range of river traffic at this location, the bridge would need to open for shipping, and TfL has carried out analysis on which type of bridge would be more suitable. The new bridge could be open by as soon as 2020.

Gallions Reach to Thamesmead DLR link

The Mayor has instructed TfL to take forward a new extension of the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) from Gallions Reach towards Thamesmead. A DLR crossing will help to support new housing developments and air quality by improving conditions for walking and cycling, and encouraging Londoners to take public transport.

No designs for the new crossings, aside from the Silvertown Tunnel, have been agreed on yet and all proposals will be subject to public and stakeholder consultation as well as relevant statutory processes.

If you would like any more information on these schemes, please feel free to contact us at rivercrossings@tfl.gov.uk.

Kind Regards,
Carrie

Carrie Nathaniel
Communications and Engagement Officer |Road Safety

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/sadiq-khan-gives-goahead-to-three-new-river-crossings-in-east-london-a3360546.html

I can't remember where we discussed the 'Garden Bridge' before, but here's as good as anywhere to post this:

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/feb/13/garden-bridge-charity-spent-535m-with-no-construction-tfl-finds

Johnson signed a directive as mayor in 2016 which watered down some of the conditions that had to be met before more public money was released. Questioned by the London assembly last year on why he did this, Johnson said he could not remember.