New Link for Thames Gateway

A new bridge proposed by the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone and his transport body, Transport for London (TfL), was offered financial backing by the Department for Transport on 9 January 2004.

The Thames Gateway Bridge would link Beckton with Thamesmead at Gallions Reach and provide a much-needed local link to help create jobs and housing in the area.

The £450 million development and construction cost of the bridge would be met jointly through TfL, a toll on cars and commercial vehicles using the bridge, and also by up to £200 million of Government PFI credits. The bridge would be constructed and operated by a private sector company in partnership with TfL, using a PFI structure.

The bridge is expected to help create both jobs and housing on either side of the river and TfL estimates that it could put an extra 600,000 jobs within 45 minutes of Thamesmead by car and public transport. It would help create around 25,000 new jobs in the region.

London Transport Minister Tony McNulty said:

"Effective regeneration goes hand in hand with effective transport links. This bridge would be a catalyst for an area with enormous potential. It would not only provide a huge much needed boost to the local economy, but stand as an impressive landmark representing a positive future for the Thames Gateway region."

The bridge is a major part of Mayor of London Ken Livingstone and TfL's plans to improve transport and accessibility to and from East London.  A TfL consultation to half a million homes and businesses revealed that 85 per cent of East Londoners who responded want the bridge to be built.

The bridge is designed to have two lanes in either direction for cars and commercial vehicles. It would also have separate lanes for public transport, pedestrians and cyclists. Three possible designs are shown on this page.

More information

For more information please contact Suzanne Halls 020 7217 3664