£7 million funding awarded for South Dock Bridge

Tower Hamlets Council has been awarded £7 million of funding by London Councils towards the delivery of South Dock Bridge, as one of eight major projects that will benefit London’s businesses.
South Dock Bridge is a proposed new footbridge to provide a fully accessible link between South Quay and Canary Wharf. The bridge will unlock new housing and commercial developments and connect the Isle of Dogs with the Canary Wharf commercial district, enhancing access to jobs, retail and town centre services. The bridge will also provide connections to the new Elizabeth line and Jubilee line stations and relieve pressure on the DLR.
The £7m funding gives more certainty for the delivery of South Dock Bridge a vital means of supporting growth on the Isle of Dogs, as well as relieving congestion on the existing Wilkinson Eyre Bridge.
South Dock Bridge is expected to be the second busiest footbridge in London after the Millennium Bridge.
Early concept designs for a bascule (lifting bridge were unveiled during a public consultation earlier this year. Further public consultation is proposed for 2019.
Almost £47m total funding (coming from the business rates retention scheme currently being piloted in London) has been awarded by the 32 London boroughs and the City of London Corporation to eight major projects across London.
Mayor of Tower Hamlets, John Biggs, said:
“I am delighted by this funding award by London Councils to the South Dock Bridge. Tower Hamlets is the fastest growing borough in the country, and this will provide much needed physical infrastructure and connectivity for the Isle of Dogs.
“I have called for this bridge to be built long before I was Mayor, so am delighted that I’ve managed to finally get things moving. The Isle of Dogs requires infrastructure to match the development in the area, and this bridge will relieve congestion on the existing bridge and improve cycling and pedestrian access in the area.”
Deputy Mayor for Regeneration and Air Quality, Councillor Rachel Blake, added:
“Many of the eight projects supported by this London Councils’ funding help build a greater digital infrastructure for London to remain a world leading global city. It is great to see that equally important physical enhancements will benefit our borough, and help to connect a commercial hub like Canary Wharf better while improving services for residents.”