Bridging the gap between town and country

A new bridge and ‘suspended’ pathway along a section of the River Lee Navigation, near Bow, will be constructed during 2011 to enable walkers and cyclists to travel uninterrupted from the River Thames over 28-miles to the Hertfordshire countryside.

Funding has been secured to build the bridge and pathway, plugging the gap on the River Lee Navigation towpath, which up until now has seen pedestrians and cyclists having to contend with the busy and dangerous A11/A12 junction in Bow, East London.

The Olympic Park, and major new residential developments at Sugar House Lane, Bromley-by- Bow North and South, has prompted the need for the improved crossing as well as driving a renaissance in waterside development.

The investment, to create a safe route under the A11/12 crossing, will spur increased use of the towpath, and provide a traffic-free route linking this area with the rest of the capital’s popular towpath routes used by hundreds of thousands of cyclists and walkers each year, as well as providing a traffic-free connection to the Olympic Park.

Peter Andrews chief executive, London Thames Gateway Development Corporation, explains:

“This scheme will bridge the gap that walkers and cyclists face at Bromley by Bow providing a continuous north to south route. Getting the towpaths in active and popular use makes them safer and will encourage more people to take a second look at east London.

“Crucially our investment will stimulate additional development activity driving and sustaining a renaissance of water side regeneration. Improved access and linkages both through and to the river allied to the huge development potential in the area could see a future of restaurants, shops, cafes and other amenities in a new Camden of the east.”

The £2.4million scheme is being funded by London Thames Gateway Development Corporation, British Waterways, the Olympic Delivery Authority, Transport for London, Design for London and Walk London. British Waterways is managing the design and construction of the scheme.

ODA Director of Transport Hugh Sumner said: “This new connection will be part of an 80km network of improved cycling and walking routes connecting the Olympic Park and other 2012 venues as well as supporting the long term regeneration of east London.”

Work to construct the pathway and bridge is set to start in February 2011. The new, 300m route, will be built in sections off-site and craned into position to create the suspended walkway. The path will extend out from the original towpath, over the water and onto the new bridge before re-joining the towpath. The bridge and pathway will be made of steel and clad in timber. The suspended pathway which will take pedestrians and cyclists under the imposing A11 crossing will be treated with an anti-slip surface, whilst hand rails and a LED lighting installation will create both a functional and artistic way to light up the dark area.

As part of the works a reed bed fringe will be planted to help improve water quality and provide a habitat for small fish and other aquatic species.

Mark Blackwell, Regeneration Manager, British Waterways, said: “The 50 mile Lee Valley Walk from Luton all the way to the River Thames is an excellent route for people to explore the Lee Valley. However, for years this busy road junction has been a major severance to the route. By building this scheme, we will make it safer and more accessible for cyclists and walkers who will no longer have to cross four busy lanes of traffic to resume their journey along the river.

“This section of the river and its towpath offer an interesting and green route to the Olympic Park so we envisage that it will become even more popular in the next few years.”

The scheme is expected to take five months to complete, and at some points during the work the Navigation will be closed to boat traffic. In an effort to minimise disruption British Waterways will be advising boaters of an alternative route utilising the Regent’s Canal and the Hertford Union Canal. Pedestrians and cyclists should not be disrupted.