"At the time, the Mayor of London said he desperately wanted it to happen, but it cannot be at any cost and suggested a roll-on roll-off ferry as a short-term solution for crossing the river. He added: Despite considerable effort by TfL to minimise the cost of what is a welldesigned and technically feasible solution, the sheer scale and the complexity of providing an opening bridge on this part of the river with the increased costs means it is currently unaffordable. I continue to support a bridge as the right, longterm solution."
"But despite the fanfare for the new sustainable river crossing option, the 10-minute ferry ride will still cost travellers who are now able to bring up to 100 bikes on board a premium. A fee of 4.10 is higher than motorists pay to use the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels, prompting concerns that it will prove too expensive for commuters to choose the greener way to travel."
"Baroness Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson in the House of Lords who questioned Sir Sadiq about the cancellation of the bridge when she sat on the London Assembly, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): This crossing option is far better than no crossing option, and is welcome to users, despite the steep costs, but the reality is, the area desperately needs the Rotherhithe to Canary Wharf cycling and walking bridge which I have long campaigned for and which sadly the Mayor has failed to build."
Plans for a free walking and cycling bridge between Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf were cancelled after projected costs rose from an estimated £100–£200 million to as high as £600 million. Transport for London sought to minimise costs but concluded that the scale and complexity of providing an opening bridge in that location made it unaffordable. A roll-on, roll-off ferry now links the piers with a ten-minute crossing and capacity for up to 100 bikes. The ferry charges a £4.10 fare, which exceeds drivers’ tunnel tolls at Silvertown and Blackwall and risks deterring commuters from choosing the greener option. Campaigners continue to press for a permanent cycling and walking bridge as the preferred long-term solution.
Read at www.standard.co.uk
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