Although the Mayor of London has dropped plans to build a garden bridge, Barking and Dagenham Council’s leader wants a new bridge a bit further down-stream spanning the River Roding – linking two massive regeneration hotspots.
Councillor Darren Rodwell, Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, said: “With the Mayor dropping the Garden Bridge plan, I would urge him to consider our proposals for a bridge over the River Roding.
“I realise bridges don’t grow on trees but if we could link Barking Riverside to Beckton and the Royal Docks it would have far more economic benefits than the vanity project further upstream.
“Bridging two of Europe’s largest development schemes makes sense as our area is at the epicentre of London’s eastward shift.”
Sir Robin Wales, Mayor of Newham, said:
“Bridging the gaps between the regeneration areas in east London is key to ensuring the economic benefits of these new developments are realised and residents are able to benefit from improved connections to where they work, live and play.”
A new bridge will also enable Be First – Barking and Dagenham Council’s new independent Regeneration Company to explore a potential development site which has fantastic views along the sweep of the Thames– bringing in around 5,500 homes and 1,000 jobs.
It will also enable existing residents better access to the Royal Docks and Canary Wharf via DLR/Crossrail and Jubilee Line services
Cllr Rodwell said: “We already have a small arts and creative community along the River Roding and with a bridge we can build on this and make it into a buzzing embankment with bars, leisure attractions and quality affordable homes – a kind of Roding Riviera.”
