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The River Thames has always been
more of a barrier to movement of
traffic in East London than West,
with a dearth of crossing points.
This is all set to change with three
new crossings recently given the go
ahead in a bid to improve the flow
of traffic and reduce pollution. This,
in turn, should support stronger
economic development in the area.
The most advanced is the proposed
new tunnel under the River Thames
which would connect the Greenwich
Peninsula and West Silvertown.
Construction is scheduled to start by
2018, for completion in early 2022.
The main aim of this development is
to reduce journey times and relieve
congestion, mainly in the Blackwall
Tunnel, and to provide a reliable
crossing for freight. Other proposed
crossings include a pedestrian and
cycle-bridge linking Rotherhithe to
Canary Wharf, of which progress
is to be accelerated and could be
open by 2020 along with a further
extension of the DLR, which will see
it go through Gallions Reach, into
Thamesmead supporting significant
residential development in the
area. One of the most controversial
changes to London over the next five
years could be the completion of a
new pedestrianised crossing over the
Thames. Predominantly funded by the
private sector but with contributions
from public bodies, the Garden Bridge
aims to be a statement of innovation
and creativity in London, running
from Temple to Southwark.
NewRiver Crossings
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The rise of East London as a major
destination will be cemented with
the arrival of the cultural and
education district, previously dubbed
‘Olympicopolis’. Building on the
legacy of the 2012 Olympic Games,
the quarter will bring world class
knowledge and cultural institutions
to Stratford, backed by government
funding to the tune of £152 million.
Phase 1 of a new campus for UCL East
will be open, with an estimated 3,000
students on site, while the London
College of Fashion will bring its 6,500
students together for the first time
into a new state of the art campus.
New visitor attractions include the
Victoria and Albert Museum, who
will set up the first dedicated space
for digital art and design, while
the Smithsonian has agreed to
collaborate with the V&A on a joint
space, after abandoning plans for its
own operation. This will be the first
time that the Smithsonian has had
a permanent gallery outside the US.
Dance performances will be taking
place in a new 600-seat theatre,
operated by Sadlers Wells alongside
a Choreographic School, a Hip Hop
Academy and flexible dance spaces
to complement their existing London
facilities. All of which will go some way
to creating an estimated 3,000 jobs
and attracting visitors in the order of
1.5 million to this new cultural hub.
Stratford
Waterfront
Cultural and
Education
District
Stratford waterfront CGI, Queen Elizabeth
Olympic Park
(Image: The Guardian)
The Garden Bridge
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COVER STORY
CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD