Thames Gateway Bridge

Location: East London

Client: GLA (Greater London Authority)

Sector: Bridges and Infrastructure

Cost: £450m

Status: Project cancelled

Marks Barfield Architects were appointed by TfL and the GLA to lead design proposals for the Thames Gateway Bridge in 2003 as an integral part of a wider design team, including The Halcrow Group Ltd, Scott Wilson and Mott Macdonald.

The £450m project included the provision of a 6 lane bridge crossing (2 of which were dedicated public transport lanes), separate provision for cyclists and pedestrians, and designed to be compatible in the future with light rail transit systems. It was planned as a local link to support regeneration both north and south of the river, connect with the local road network and be a tolled crossing, with the overall aim of the bridge to improve accessibility to and within the Thames Gateway London area.

Other specific project objectives included providing significant transport and transport economic benefits, contributing to an enhanced quality of life in an area of substantial deprivation, ensuring the scheme had strong community support through effective consultation, whilst achieving good value for money.

The project also set out to achieve high sustainability targets by implementing works of the highest environmental quality and minimising unwanted environmental effects with particular regards to the impacts of increased car use.