Wednesday 3 June 2015

The London Garden Bridge

Apparently - "The Garden Bridge project began as a simple idea – a beautiful new garden floating above the River Thames. Imagine crossing the river surrounded by wildlife. Imagine gazing out at the city with your view framed by greenery. Imagine a morning commute through a peaceful garden. The Garden Bridge Trust has a mission to turn this idea into a reality.

With your help, we could all be walking across the Garden Bridge very soon."

What is the Garden Bridge?

The Garden Bridge is a new 366m-long footbridge that will stretch across the River Thames, from the top of Temple underground station on the Northbank to the South Bank. The bridge will hold an expansive garden. Footpaths will weave through the garden, creating a new pedestrian route which will be free and open to all between the hours of 6am–midnight.

It could be good. It could be great. My two initial concerns are that it is a private project and hence public access and alike could become an issue in the future regardless of what is said now.

Secondly it cuts out a view, a vista, down the river and makes the place feel more crowded, the last thing London needs.

Should it get the go ahead I am sure it will be done well but the above two concerns are what get me.

Finally why is it always London! Why not some project in Manchester or Birmingham etc. while mainly private this project is set to get about £60 million in public funds. Surely that would go further on a "tranquil space" in another city.

 

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