1. Our plan for new river crossings for London
TfL Planning

2. London’s population is growing
London is growing, and quickly.
The fastest growing region of the UK
The population is expected to rise from 8.6 million to 10 million by 2030 and to reach 11.3 million by 2050.
Growth expected to be highest in east London

3. ...which will lead to more trips
An increase of 35-40% in the number of trips by 2050 (central forecast)
This will result in increased pressure on the city’s infrastructure, including the cross-river connections that play a key role in moving people and goods around London. It is more important than ever that plans for the future are made so that this growth can be supported, as sustainably as possible.

4. First priority: making best use of existing crossings

5. New crossings: Connecting the Capital
Brings together in one place an outline of all the new crossings being considered in and around London
Illustrates the varied challenges and different responses in different parts of the river
Includes schemes under construction up to long term aspirations
Includes proposals for foot/cycle bridges, ferries, public transport and roads

6. Connecting the Capital presents these proposals, which span west, central and east London.
West London
New foot/cycle bridges to support new development, e.g. Battersea to Pimlico
Central London
Improving existing bridges for cyclists
New footbridges to improve the walking environment and encourage new walking trips
East London
New road bridges to support growth, reduce congestion and improve transport connectivity
New public transport links to Docklands and central London
1, The river is a natural barrier to travel – people must cross it every day for work and leisure to make London work.
2, There are many more crossings in west and central London than in the east, and the distance between them much less. Woolwich Ferry is a local link with limited capacity/availability and if it is discounted then the distance between crossings in east London is even greater.

7. Opportunities include: Diamond Jubilee bridge
Walking and cycling
Opportunities include:
Diamond Jubilee bridge
Nine Elms foot/cycle bridge
Garden Bridge
Rotherhithe to Canary Wharf
Connecting the Capital presents these proposals, which span west, central and east London.
West London
New foot/cycle bridges to support new development, e.g. Battersea to Pimlico
Central London
Improving existing bridges for cyclists
New footbridges to improve the walking environment and encourage new walking trips
East London
New road bridges to support growth, reduce congestion and improve transport connectivity
New public transport links to Docklands and central London
1, The river is a natural barrier to travel – people must cross it every day for work and leisure to make London work.
2, There are many more crossings in west and central London than in the east, and the distance between them much less. Woolwich Ferry is a local link with limited capacity/availability and if it is discounted then the distance between crossings in east London is even greater.

8. Crossings in the east need to allow for shipping

9. Example concept: Rotherhithe bridge

10. Example concept: Rotherhithe bridge

11. Passenger ferry crossings Opportunities include:
Rotherhithe to Canary Wharf
North Greenwich to Isle of Dogs
Other sites further east, e.g. linking proposed piers at Royal Wharf and Charlton Riverside
Connecting the Capital presents these proposals, which span west, central and east London.
West London
New foot/cycle bridges to support new development, e.g. Battersea to Pimlico
Central London
Improving existing bridges for cyclists
New footbridges to improve the walking environment and encourage new walking trips
East London
New road bridges to support growth, reduce congestion and improve transport connectivity
New public transport links to Docklands and central London
1, The river is a natural barrier to travel – people must cross it every day for work and leisure to make London work.
2, There are many more crossings in west and central London than in the east, and the distance between them much less. Woolwich Ferry is a local link with limited capacity/availability and if it is discounted then the distance between crossings in east London is even greater.

12. Example passenger / cycle ferry in Netherlands

13. Public transport crossings Opportunities include:
Crossrail 1 (under construction)
Crossrail 2
Long term vision for Orbital Overground
Connecting the Capital presents these proposals, which span west, central and east London.
West London
New foot/cycle bridges to support new development, e.g. Battersea to Pimlico
Central London
Improving existing bridges for cyclists
New footbridges to improve the walking environment and encourage new walking trips
East London
New road bridges to support growth, reduce congestion and improve transport connectivity
New public transport links to Docklands and central London
1, The river is a natural barrier to travel – people must cross it every day for work and leisure to make London work.
2, There are many more crossings in west and central London than in the east, and the distance between them much less. Woolwich Ferry is a local link with limited capacity/availability and if it is discounted then the distance between crossings in east London is even greater.

14. Opportunities include: Silvertown tunnel Gallions Reach
Road crossings
Opportunities include:
Silvertown tunnel
Gallions Reach
Belvedere-Rainham
Lower Thames Crossing (Highways England)
Connecting the Capital presents these proposals, which span west, central and east London.
West London
New foot/cycle bridges to support new development, e.g. Battersea to Pimlico
Central London
Improving existing bridges for cyclists
New footbridges to improve the walking environment and encourage new walking trips
East London
New road bridges to support growth, reduce congestion and improve transport connectivity
New public transport links to Docklands and central London
1, The river is a natural barrier to travel – people must cross it every day for work and leisure to make London work.
2, There are many more crossings in west and central London than in the east, and the distance between them much less. Woolwich Ferry is a local link with limited capacity/availability and if it is discounted then the distance between crossings in east London is even greater.

15. Gallions Reach and Belvedere crossings
Bridge at Gallions Reach
It would be likely to be cheaper than a tunnel
It would need to be high enough not to impact on shipping below, while low enough to not impact London City Airport’s flight path
Pedestrian / cycle facilities could be accommodated, although users would be exposed to poor weather
It would be likely to have more impact on nearby residents than a tunnel (e.g. visual impacts)
It could make it more difficult to develop residential sites close to the crossing compared to a tunnel.
Bridge at Belvedere
It would be close to major working wharves and would therefore require a high and long span, which could increase the cost to be similar to the cost of a tunnel at Belvedere
Being further from the London City Airport, there is more flexibility on the type of structure that can be built than at Gallions Reach.

16. Indicative public transport connections

17. Highways England are leading on a Lower Thames Crossing
Consultation closes on 24 March 2016
Full details available online at:
2025 onwards
Could also mention Lower Thames Crossing

18. Delivery of these new crossings
Each crossing is unique and will have different challenges in delivery
User charging would be a component of any road crossings
Solutions need to respect the needs of shipping and be acceptable to the PLA
TfL will consult throughout the planning stages to ensure the public are aware and engaged with the projects