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Second wobbly bridge for London
Ross Lydall27.10.09
A new “wobbly” bridge could be built across the Thames to provide better links to the last-remaining major regeneration area in central London.
A draft strategy published today by Boris Johnson suggests erecting a cycle and pedestrian bridge to connect the site in Vauxhall with Pimlico.
Images in the document suggest a design virtually identical to the Millennium bridge that links Tate Modern and St Paul's Cathedral.
The Mayor's strategy for the Vauxhall/Nine Elms/Battersea “opportunity area” covers a 195-hectare site that includes Battersea Power Station, New Covent Garden Market and the proposed new American Embassy.
But it admits there is no chance of progress unless there is massive investment in transport links — with no money likely to come from public funds.
Mr Johnson's key wish is for a privately funded extension to the Northern line from Kennington to a new stop at Battersea Power Station, which is the subject of private redevelopment plans.
But the new bridge, extra capacity at Battersea Park train station and a dramatic increase in buses would all be required if the site is to have any chance of fulfilling its potential.
Stretching from Battersea Park to Waterloo, the area is described as “industrial and often inhospitable” with a lack of open space and social infrastructure.
The Mayor, who has drawn up the draft strategy with Wandsworth and Lambeth councils, hopes it can be developed with 16,000 homes as well as offices and business units by 2026, creating 20,000 to 25,000 jobs.
The document states: “The opportunity area is the largest remaining development opportunity within the central activities zone and is vitally important.”
It notes the area has never attracted massive investment because it is divided by busy roads and overground train lines into Victoria. “Redevelopment of the area provides a unique opportunity to overcome these historic industrial barriers.”
The plans, which will go out to 12 weeks of public consultation, include:
* Promises of new schools, health services, libraries and churches.
* A “linear” park linking Vauxhall and Battersea Power Station.
* A “cluster” of tall buildings at Vauxhall, which must not jeopardise views of the Palace of Westminster.
* Moving the waste transfer facility at Cringle Dock and building an anaerobic digestion “waste eater” at New Covent Garden Market.
Controversially, the Mayor proposes establishing a “tariff system” under which a charge would be levied by the boroughs on developers seeking planing permission to help pay for the wider regeneration of the area. This could raise more than £400 million for transport and public realm projects.
In addition, the Mayor is also considering whether to exempt the area from his Crossrail levy scheme, under which major developers in central London are required to contribute towards the £16 billion train scheme.
Reader views (10)
@ Sarah - What are you talking about? He hasn't for-filled any of his promises. The bendy buses are still running, Congestion charge is even going up, and he won't confirm He's going to run for mayor next term.
How will he pay for it!
It's all just hot air. Anyway East london needs more bridges everyone knows that!
- Al, london
What a load of rubbish and total waste of money. I completely agree with Tom on this one. Incidentally, Chantal how on earth does it look great??? The picture is probably the worst mock-up I've ever seen
- Christian, London
What about the bridge from Chelsea Harbour to Wandsworth that's been on the cards for 30 years?
- Ricky C-M, Chelsea, London
It looks great, and we SO need a decent cycle crossing, the current arrangement is really dangerous esp if you want to take your kids on bikes anywhere north of the river. COME ON BORIS - we are all waiting...
- Chantal, vauxhall
what vauxhall need boris cant supply with vague pie in sky ideas unless serious money is available. otherwise what we will get is more bland corporate development, like the disaster that is st george wharf! heaven help us!
lets hope some ideas actually lead to a more community led approach.
one simple idea that shouldnt be beyond his grasp! GIVE US A RIVER BOAT CONNECTION!
- Draeyk Van Der Horn, london
I agree with you, Nigel. There's already rail stations on the line out of Victoria as well as the line to Waterloo (Queenstown). Absolutely no need for the massive expense of a new Underground line to Battersea Park. Ridiculous to even consider it.
- Phil Jones, London UK
How about some bridges further east? Bozo has already kyboshed one potential bridge in east London. It is unbelievable to me that central and west London has bridges every few hundred metres yet nothing has been built to span the Thames in central and east London since Tower Bridge at the end of the 19th century.
- Mcw, London
Why do they want to extend the tube? Looking at a map, I would have thought new stations on the surface railways out of Victoria and Waterloo could serve the area, and would surely be much cheaper?
- Nigel, London
Excellent work Boris, this area has been in dire need of regeneration for decades and it's great to have a mayor who has the vision to see this project through to the end.
- Sarah, London
"Mr Johnson's official spokesman said: "What we want to do is stop pretending the tooth fairy will come. Some of the plans we just don't have the money for and the others were never very good ideas anyway.""
From this newspaper a year ago. Boris has more unfunded projects and good ideas that appear as headlines and then vanish than is good for him. He's the PR Mayor, not a real one.
- Tom, London, UK
