A cable car across the Thames in east London could replace plans for a £500m six-lane road bridge. Plans for the bridge have been opposed by local people and environment groups.
A new study conducted by leading transport analysts commissioned by Transport for London, compares six alternative types of river crossing to the road bridge. They include, a river ferry crossing, a walk and cycle-only bridge, a rail-only bridge and a car bridge.
The study authors, professors of transport at the Stockholm Environment Institute, University College London, and the University of Wuppertal in Germany all say that any of the alternatives would be better than a car bridge. However, they report that a cable car across the Thames would be the most sustainable. It would be cheaper than a bridge, and would significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, encourage cycling and walking, and could be constructed in time for the Olympics in 2012.
Cable cars are increasingly used for mass transit in cities across the world including New York, Istanbul, Vancouver, Madrid, Caracas and Hamburg. Their popularity is results from their need for little space, virtually no waiting time, travel at over 20mph, and have very low emissions.
A cable car system could take up to 5,000 people per hour over the river between Beckton and Thamesmead, with cable cars arriving every 22 seconds. It would only take only two minutes to cross the river making it a very efficient mode of transport.
Mayor of London and chair of Transport for London, Boris Johnson, said before his he was not satisfied with the road bridge option as it is currently planned.
Jennifer Bates, Friends of the Earth’s London Campaign coordinator said; “Transport for London must abandon its plans for a new road bridge and develop the Thames Gateway in a way that will help tackle climate change and improve the quality of life for local people,” (Guardian.co.uk)
Faye Sunderland
