About this poll
The Mayor has already given approval for a bridge at this location and the process is well underway. TfL is now considering design options. They appear to have rejected all types of Bascule bridge including the type which 93% of respondents said should be immediately implemented without seeking other designs in our previous poll:
https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/projects/contracts/tfl-in-conflict-of-interest-row-over-new-thames-bridge/10028020.article
We consider this is unjustified and premature. It seems to us that to eliminate a major and very popular bridge type even before competing solutions have been designed and costed is utterly absurd
We will be meeting TfL shortly and would like to know your design preference so we can properly represent your interests
Location/Alignment
The location between Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf in the general vicinity of the existing ferry is well understood. The precise location and alignment are yet to be decided
- Any of the bridge types described here could go at any of the locations
- We will launch another poll shortly so you can have your say on the location
Option 1: Bascule Bridge
Technically this is a bridge which pivots out of the way, balanced by a counterweight. The counterweight may be hidden (eg Tower Bridge) or be visible (the opposite “wing” of the boomerang) in this example:
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Option 1a: The design shown, which is currently the only design to have been made public. http://www.rotherhithebridge.london
Vote option 1b if you would prefer a different (yet to be designed) bascule bridge
Pros
- Elegant, iconic and functional design
- Navigation safety is enhanced by having only two piers in the river and by the bridge lifting up and away from river traffic
Cons
- As a high structure, wind load must be allowed for within the engineering parameters of the design
Option 2: Vertical lift
The central span of the bridge rises vertically. This usually requires towers containing counterweights at each end of the span.
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In the absence of a design proposal for this bridge type we are showing two existing bridges of this type
Pros
- Navigation safety is enhanced by having only two piers in the river and by the bridge lifting up and away from river traffic
Cons
- Bulky towers needed to support the span at height – poor visual impact
- Fixed maximum navigation height
Option 3 – Double Swing Bridge
The movable span rotates about a central point. In order to provide a safe width the Rotherhithe Bridge would have to be constructed as two swing bridges. Note the use of concrete bollards in the river to provide collision protection, which would be a requirement for the Rotherhithe bridge
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In the absence of a design proposal for this bridge type we are showing two examples. We understand the Rotherhithe bridge will need a double swing bridge to privide a sufficient span
Pros
- Capable of elegant and functional design (relative to a lift bridge)
Cons
- greater length of navigation hazard because vessels have to navigate a corridor between the opened arms rather than a simple bridge aperture
- Visual impact – in front of waterfront properties when open
- Extensive collision protection will be required – visual impact and navigation hazard whether open or closed
Have your say!
Please contact us if you have further comments