A Beautiful Pedestrian 'Garden Bridge' over the River Thames in London by 2017/18
There's numerous bridges spanning the River Thames, including the elegant Chelsea Bridge, the modern Millennium Bridge, the beautiful Golden Jubilee Bridges, and the Gothic Tower Bridge amongst them.... but now another new bridge is proposed to go over the River Thames.
A proposed "garden bridge" over the River Thames has moved a step closer after a council approved the plans.
The £150m bridge, approved by Lambeth Council, is the idea of highly respected English actress Joanna Lumley and has been designed by London 2012 cauldron creator, Thomas Heatherwick.
The crossing would link Temple with the Southbank. It needs planning permission from Westminster Council.
One councillor who opposed the plans said it did not add to the area, but it was approved by five votes to two.
Sally Prentice told the meeting it was not difficult to cross the river as there were many bridges nearby and the estimated extra 3m people it would attract would make the Southbank a less enjoyable place to be.
Previously the government said it would provide £30m for the pedestrian bridge if a business case proved it was value for money.
Community website London SE1 tweeted that actress Ms Lumley, who attended the meeting, claimed she was personally responsible for the decision not to allow bikes to use the bridge.
Westminster City Council is due to make its decision next month.
If funding can be found, it is hoped that work on the 1,214 ft-long (370m) pedestrian crossing will start next year with the bridge opening by 2017.
It would be covered with trees and plants, arranged by television gardener Dan Pearson.
Garden Bridge over the River Thames in London has been given a £30 million seal of approval by the UK government.
Banking firm Citigroup has pledged £3million to the Garden Bridge project - the new Thames footbridge.
The pledge makes the American bank one of the first companies to donate to the project, designed by artist Thomas Heatherwick - who created the spectacular cauldron for the London 2012 Olympic games.
The firm will also be made official bank partner of the project.
Those behind the bridge, which will be constructed between Temple and the South Bank, say the project will cost £150million - but they are hoping to raise an additional £25million to allow for some contingency.
Transport for London and The Treasury have so far committed £30million each.
