The autumn infrastructure plan announced today (Dec 4th, 2014) is pretty depressing reading (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/381884/2902895_NationalInfrastructurePlan2014_acc.pdf).  15 billion for roads, 114 million for the 8 “cycling cities”.  So cycling just 0.76% of infrastructure spend on transport.  Puts some of the coalition’s fine words into perspective.

However, amongst the long list of projects to be considered was – the Brunel Bridge – the old Sustrans proposal for a pedestrian/cycle bridge across the Thames from Rotherhithe to Canary Wharf.  Here is section 5-16:

TfL has consulted recently on options for a new river crossing in East London, with options including crossings at Woolwich, Gallions Reach and Belvedere. An interesting proposal made by Sustrans, and worth looking at in more detail, would be a new pedestrian and cycle bridge from Rotherhithe to Canary Wharf – which could be called the Brunel Bridge in tribute to one of the great figures in the history of UK infrastructure

This follows the London Mayor’s cautious support at a recent Question Time (see  http://www.wharf.co.uk/2014/10/boris-promises-to-have-a-look.html)

“Worth looking at in more detail”.  Its a start.  So a project for us to keep an eye on.

Economic case from Buchanan 2007 report is here http://londonunlocked.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/thames-bridge-economic-appraisal.pdf.  Sustrans is to have a new competition for a design, see http://www.se16.com/2579-brunel-bridge-rotherhithe-to-canary-wharf-crossing-plans-to-be-revived-by-sustrans