Allies & Morrison has proposed an alternative plan for the controversial Garden Bridge project, which it says will save millions of pounds and revitalise existing London infrastructure.
The Southwark-based architect has suggested reconfiguring Blackfriars Bridge, half a kilometre to east of the site currently proposed for the crossing.
Traffic would take up just half the width, leaving 3,700 sq m for flower beds, trees and footpaths. By consolidating both the east and west pavements of Blackfriars into a single 14m-wide pavement on the west side, this would create a pedestrianised garden.
The route has views of St Paul’s and the City to the east and Westminster to the west.
Allies & Morrison says it would cost a fraction of the £175m earmarked for the Garden Bridge, because there is no need to build a new structure.
Blackfriars Bridge as it is now (above) and how Allies & Morrison envisions it as a garden bridge (below)
A statement from Allies & Morrison said: “The Blackfriars Bridge Garden celebrates our infrastructure heritage. It does not require extensive construction and can be delivered at a fraction of the cost of a new bridge.
“It would provide 40,000 sq ft of new green space. It would remain public and accessible to all, seamlessly integrated into the existing public realm on both sides of the river without obstructing any of its views of St Paul’s.
“This light touch approach would be carbon neutral, and together with the cycle superhighway and solar panelled roof of Blackfriars Station, would be at the heart of a global exemplar for sustainable infrastructure.”
The Garden Bridge project has been criticised over its cost, ownership and and public access. The project was championed by Boris Johnson and is supported by London’s new mayor Sadiq Khan, who argues that cancelling the scheme would cost twice as much as completing it.
