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TfL plans world’s tallest vertical lift bridge between Canary Wharf and Rotherhithe Caanary Wharf and Rotherhithe (picture via TfL).png

TfL plans world’s tallest vertical lift bridge between Canary Wharf and Rotherhithe

Deck would lift to a height of 60m
by Alex Bowden
Sat, Apr 06, 2019 11:59
11

Details have emerged of a proposal to construct the world’s tallest vertical lift bridge over the River Thames between Canary Wharf and Rotherhithe.

Plans for the new cycling and walking bridge received “overwhelming” support in a consultation last year.

TfL has since been working on engineering options and will now launch a new consultation on its preferred design.

The Architects Journal reports that the proposed bridge’s concrete towers would be 90m tall and 15m wide, while its deck would lift to a height of 60m, making it both the longest and tallest vertical lift bridge in the world, if built.

Plans show a bridge deck 8m wide, 12m above high tide level and 180m long.

The preferred location of the bridge is from Durrands Wharf on the south side of the river to Westferry Circus on the north bank.

A Transport for London spokesperson said: “Following a public consultation in November 2017, we have been working to develop our proposed plans for a pedestrian and cycling crossing between Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf.

"As part of this, we have been engaging directly with key stakeholders, such as the Port of London Authority and the boroughs on either side of the river, working through issues such as bridge alignment, landing points, opening mechanism, construction methods and operating procedures.

"This will ensure the final scheme is deliverable and appropriate for all users. We are still working on the designs and plans.”

London
Canary Wharf
Rotherhithe
Alex Bowden

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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11 comments

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growingvegtables | 5 years ago
0 likes

I see one small problem - honest, it's only a small one.  I fear the lifting mechanism may be as slow as the lifts in British Rail stations?

 

[Aye ... and don't tell me my use of "British Rail" is an anchronism!    The lifts "they're" installing NOW were an anchronism 50 years ago!]

Avatar
ConcordeCX replied to growingvegtables | 5 years ago
2 likes

growingvegtables wrote:

I see one small problem - honest, it's only a small one.  I fear the lifting mechanism may be as slow as the lifts in British Rail stations?

even so, it will be an improvement on what’s there now.  I don't anticipate it being any worse than waiting for Tower Bridge when they raise that. Maybe a bit slower than the bridge at Deptford Creek.

Avatar
ConcordeCX | 5 years ago
4 likes

It isn’t just for the people of Rotherhithe. Read the consultation documents - they lay out very well the need for another crossing there, and why Tower Bridge and the foot tunnel aren’t the right answer.

Putting something in Rotherhithe doesn’t of course solve the issue of crossings needed further downstream, but the problems with building something get greater the wider the river is.

My own view (Greenwich resident) is that they should abandon the Silvertown crossing in favour of another bicycle/footbridge downstream, and close the Blackwall tunnels to vehicles which use internal combustion engines, but I don’t think the world is ready for my genius yet.

Avatar
EddyBerckx | 5 years ago
2 likes

To save other people the google:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertical-lift_bridge

It just raises the central span so that ships can pass underneath. Like tower bridge, but better basically 1

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levermonkey replied to EddyBerckx | 5 years ago
0 likes

StoopidUserName wrote:

To save other people the google: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertical-lift_bridge It just raises the central span so that ships can pass underneath. Like tower bridge, but better basically 1

Tower Bridge is a twin bascule and suspension bridge combination not a vertical lift bridge.

Avatar
EddyBerckx replied to levermonkey | 5 years ago
2 likes
levermonkey wrote:

StoopidUserName wrote:

To save other people the google: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertical-lift_bridge It just raises the central span so that ships can pass underneath. Like tower bridge, but better basically 1

Tower Bridge is a twin bascule and suspension bridge combination not a vertical lift bridge.

...which is why I added the 'but better' bit 1

Avatar
levermonkey replied to EddyBerckx | 5 years ago
0 likes

StoopidUserName wrote:
levermonkey wrote:

StoopidUserName wrote:

To save other people the google: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertical-lift_bridge It just raises the central span so that ships can pass underneath. Like tower bridge, but better basically 1

Tower Bridge is a twin bascule and suspension bridge combination not a vertical lift bridge.

...which is why I added the 'but better' bit 1

Pity about the "Like Tower Bridge" bit then! Lol

Avatar
pockstone replied to levermonkey | 5 years ago
0 likes

levermonkey wrote:

StoopidUserName wrote:
levermonkey wrote:

StoopidUserName wrote:

To save other people the google: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertical-lift_bridge It just raises the central span so that ships can pass underneath. Like tower bridge, but better basically 1

Tower Bridge is a twin bascule and suspension bridge combination not a vertical lift bridge.

...which is why I added the 'but better' bit 1

Pity about the "Like Tower Bridge" bit then! Lol

Insofar as it provides a street level bridge deck that is raised with the aid of towers to allow ships to pass when needed, it sounds a lot like Tower Bridge. (In practice, if not in engineering detail.)

(Thanks for the link '...username', on first reading I had thought it might be a fixed high level bridge with lifts to carry bikes and pedestrians up and down at either end. Which would have been hugely impractical. From other comments, I see I was not alone in this misapprehension.)

Avatar
levermonkey | 5 years ago
1 like

Oh dear! Oh dear! Oh dear!

"Highest and tallest" 180m long and 90m high - How intrusive is that going to be?

This stinks of vanity project. 

Avatar
Carior replied to levermonkey | 5 years ago
10 likes

levermonkey wrote:

Oh dear! Oh dear! Oh dear!

"Highest and tallest" 180m long and 90m high - How intrusive is that going to be?

This stinks of vanity project. 

As somebody who lives in Rotherhithe, knows the area and responded to the consultation, this is not a vanity project but a massive value add for me.

The lifting bridge is better than the proposed alternative of a high bridge that would make access on bike FAR more difficult (i.e. probably via steps or lift rather than sensible ramp as there simply isn't the room for a sensible ramp that would still allow the necessary navigation of the Thames).

This bridge is something that is hugely popular with locals and this design satisfies a) pedestrian and bike access to make Canary Wharf accessible from a massive residential area without being forced to spend money on the tube or ferry or facing the toxic smog of Rotherhithe Tunnel, whilst b) allowing the river to remain navigable.

I'm just disappointed that the likelihood of this being completed any time soon is pitifully low.

P.s. at 90m high its going to be a hell of a lot less intrusive than the litany of skyscrapers in Canary Wharf.

Avatar
levermonkey replied to Carior | 5 years ago
0 likes

Carior wrote:

levermonkey wrote:

Oh dear! Oh dear! Oh dear!

"Highest and tallest" 180m long and 90m high - How intrusive is that going to be?

This stinks of vanity project. 

As somebody who lives in Rotherhithe, knows the area and responded to the consultation, this is not a vanity project but a massive value add for me.

The lifting bridge is better than the proposed alternative of a high bridge that would make access on bike FAR more difficult (i.e. probably via steps or lift rather than sensible ramp as there simply isn't the room for a sensible ramp that would still allow the necessary navigation of the Thames).

This bridge is something that is hugely popular with locals and this design satisfies a) pedestrian and bike access to make Canary Wharf accessible from a massive residential area without being forced to spend money on the tube or ferry or facing the toxic smog of Rotherhithe Tunnel, whilst b) allowing the river to remain navigable.

I'm just disappointed that the likelihood of this being completed any time soon is pitifully low.

P.s. at 90m high its going to be a hell of a lot less intrusive than the litany of skyscrapers in Canary Wharf.

Greenwich Foot Tunnel? Tower Bridge? Both a very short distance away and with good links.

Now come round the other side of the Isle of Dogs (To my part of the World) - Greenich Foot Tunnel - large gap - Woolwich Ferry/Woolwich Foot Tunnel (reasonable links on South side, not that great on the North) - mahoosive gap - Cycle transfer at Dartford Crossing (Crap links).

Whilst I do not question the value of this crossing to the people of Rotherhythe I do question it's location, its proposed design, and its value to London as a whole.

In light of the current debacle regarding Crossrail I also wonder how large the cost and time over-runs are going to be, especially as it is intended to push the design in both length and height.

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