Rotherhithe Crossing

The Rotherhithe to Canary Wharf Crossing in London was conceived as a low-carbon Active Travel connection, linking the south London catchment area with the major employment focus of Canary Wharf. The £400m pedestrian and cyclist bridge across the River Thames would be the first new structure downstream of the iconic Tower Bridge. The design had to accommodate major cruise ships accessing the Pool of London, resulting in a world-record pedestrian bridge with a lifting span of 180m, to be raised up to 65m above water level.

Having explored a range of bridge, tunnel and enhanced-ferry options, Transport for London (TfL) established in 2017 that a navigable bridge would best deliver the full range of active travel objectives set out in London’s Healthy Streets Policy and the Mayor’s Draft Transport Strategy.

Knight Architects first worked alongside consultant Arcadis to deliver a series of feasibility studies, exploring the location, generic typologies and constraints of a navigable bridge solution. Following the completion of the feasibility stage, and supported by a positive response from public consultation, Knight Architects worked with Atkins to develop the preferred option to Concept Design, in preparation for the Transport and Works Act planning process. The project was halted in July 2019.