Mayor must now deliver on the Rotherhithe to Canary Wharf Bridge

Building a pedestrian and cycle bridge between Rotherhithe to Canary Wharf and extending the cycle hire scheme out to Rotherhithe are issues now firmly in the new Mayor’s in-tray, following questions being raised at the first Mayor’s Question Time for Sadiq Khan by the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon.

Caroline Pidgeon AM highlighted to the new Mayor the immense transport need for a pedestrian and cycle bridge between Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf, as demonstrated by the frequent overcrowding on the Jubilee Line created by commuters needing to cross the Thames.

Caroline also highlighted how Bermondsey and Rotherhithe are excluded from the cycle hire scheme, with the most eastward cycle docking station south of the Thames being just a few hundred metres from City Hall.

Responding to Caroline Pidgeon the Mayor described the proposed pedestrian bridge as a ‘great project’ and in relation to extending the cycle hire scheme stated “I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t.”

Commenting on the Mayor’s reply Caroline Pidgeon:

“I have long championed a pedestrian and cycle bridge linking Rotherhithe to Canary Wharf. There is a desperate transport need for a bridge here, especially to alleviate pressure on the Jubilee Line.”

“The case for the bridge is overwhelming. The only issue is how it is delivered. The Mayor must now come forward with concrete plans to ensure that this idea is turned into reality as quickly as possible. There is no reason why the bridge could not be built and open within four or five years.

“At the same time it is vital that south east London is no longer overlooked by the cycle hire scheme. A pedestrian and cycle bridge across the Thames from Rotherhithe to Canary Wharf combined with extending the cycle hire scheme into Bermondsey and Rotherhithe will transform transport links for many local people.”

You can read more at the SE16 community website and the Wharf website.