Garden Bridge Gets Go Ahead

A garden bridge which will be built between a busy part of the South Bank and Temple. The plans have had some very high profile backing from the likes of Ab Fab actress Joanna Lumley and the eccentric Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. However, the plans for the bridge, which Boris claims will be an ‘oasis of tranquility’ have also been met by a lot of criticism.

The new bridge will be just 300 metres away from Waterloo Bridge and so many believe that this will obscure views of the Thames from Waterloo Bridge, which is widely regarded as the best view in London.

While people who are in favour of the plans for the bridge think that it will be a great comparison with The High Line in New York City which is a public park created on a disused train line, others argue that having to build a whole new bridge makes this plan a lot more complicated.

The bridge will be open to the public from 6am to midnight. Cycling will not be allowed. 30,000 people will be expected to ramble across the bridge a day. Those against the bridge have voiced worries of overcrowding.

Other objections have been the cost to the tax payer and the disruption caused to an already busy area. Temple tube station may be closed for over six months. The current overall expected cost is £175 million. £110 million has already been raised but they expect to get the rest of the money from public donations.

Building is supposed to start this time next year and will be completed by 2018.

What do you think about the bridge plans? Do you think it will be a waste of money or an opportunity for fantastic new London landmark?