Imagining a new Thames pedestrian bridge in East London

There are many arguments for a new pedestrian bridge in East London: rapidly growing communities who live and work in the area, an increasing need for non-vehicular transport, and the fact that London’s 30-odd bridges are all west of Tower Bridge. To the east, where half of London’s population lives, there is only one, 25 km east, at Dartford Crossing. But for Alex Lifshutz, Founding Director of Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands, whose design for a new foot and cycle bridge linking New Charlton and Woolwich in Greenwich with the Royal Docks and Silvertown in Newham was unveiled last week at the Royal Academy’s summer exhibition, the art of bridge-making is all about the ‘poetry of place'.
‘You have to get a feel for the genus loci', says the architect who has designed both the Golden Jubilee footbridge and the Royal Victoria Dock Bridge. ‘The bridge needs to feel like it’s always been there.' In addition to designing something that becomes part of the landscape, ‘It’s about finding a place that feels right for leaping from one side to the other,' says Lifschutz. ‘A point that feels like ‘that’s where I want to cross’.' He adds: ‘Going across the water is exciting' – especially at the current site, where the river span is at 400 metres.
As designed with maritime civil engineers, Beckett Rankine, the low cost, low impact Thames Barrier bridge was conceived by ‘using the least amount of material and the greatest ingenuity to make connections,' says Lifschutz. By siting the new bridge either upstream or downstream of the Thames Barrier, the movable dam that protects the city from the North Sea’s high tides and storm surges, impact on the flow of the river will be minimised. The 530 metre long Barrier Bridge is designed as a multi-span, double-leaf bascule bridge with yellow steel box girders supporting an aluminium mesh deck.
While most boats will be able to pass underneath with a clearance of 15 metres above high water spring tides, when larger boats do need to pass through, the multiple piers with counterweights create a series of opening spans that allow for less interruption to bridge traffic, as they can be triggered within a matter of minutes. ‘There is really only one location in east London for a relatively low bridge suitable for cycles and pedestrians,' explains Lifschutz. ‘Construction would take about 18 months and phasing would mean that at least two of the barrier openings are always open for navigation, so no river traffic would be stopped. And because the majority of the construction can be done from the river, it will minimise disturbance to residents.'
The proposed bridge would have landings at Barrier Park to the North and would connect the TfL Green Chain south of the river to walks and cycle routes extending up the Lea Valley to Stratford. Motorcars in cities, contends Lifshutz, means an enthusiastic cyclist who rides to work every day, may soon be as rare as smoking in public spaces. With the growing popularity of scooters and electric bikes he says, pedestrian and cycling bridges, offer ‘a chance to change the way urban settlements work'.
A discussion around these themes, called 'Thames Connections', takes place Wednesday 19 June 2019 as part of the London Festival of Architecture
INFORMATION
For more information visit the Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands website
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
-
This surreal new seafood restaurant in LA is the stuff of mermaid's dreams
At Cento Raw Bar, delectable fare is complemented by playful, oceanic interiors by Brandon Miradi
-
What’s new in the wearable world of smart glasses, and extended and augmented reality
Are you ready for AR? Meta, Google, Snap and more are gearing up to compete with Apple and deliver frames-based communications devices – complete with AI integration
-
Italian-Japanese fusion’s a joy at east London’s Osteria Angelina
A Victorian warehouse in Spitalfields has been given a slick modern makeover to house a unique Italian-Japanese restaurant
-
This ingenious London office expansion was built in an on-site workshop
New Wave London and Thomas-McBrien Architects make a splash with this glulam extension built in the very studio it sought to transform. Here's how they did it
-
Once vacant, London's grand department stores are getting a new lease on life
Thanks to imaginative redevelopment, these historic landmarks are being reborn as residences, offices, gyms and restaurants. Here's what's behind the trend
-
Lego and Serpentine celebrate World Play Day with a new pavilion
Lego and Serpentine have just unveiled their Play Pavilion; a colourful new structure in Kensington Gardens in London and a gesture that celebrates World Play Day (11 June)
-
Inside Abbey Road's refresh: touring the legendary studio's new interior
Abbey Road gets an interior refresh by Threefold Architects, bringing the legendary London recording studio in tune with the 21st century
-
The Serpentine Pavilion 2025 is ready to visit, ‘an exhibition you can use’
The Serpentine Pavilion 2025 is ready for its public opening on 6 June; we toured the structure and spoke to its architect, Marina Tabassum
-
A meticulously crafted artist’s space in east London evokes the area’s long creative history
Maich Swift Architects’ artist’s space has radically reconfigured a Victorian terraced house, transforming it into a contemporary live/work interior
-
Welcome to Omved Gardens, north London’s hidden green oasis
This secret space in Highgate is relaunching as a vibrant community hub with new spaces, activities and exhibitions
-
This contemporary cabin cantilevers over a Scottish loch
Rock Cove, Cameron Webster Architects’ contemporary cabin in Argyll, Scotland, makes the most of its wild setting