'Full steam ahead' on Garden Bridge after Sadiq Khan hits pause on funds

A mocked-up aerial photograph of how the Garden Bridge will look
Pippa Crerar11 July 2016

The Garden Bridge Trust today claimed the new Thames crossing was “full steam ahead” despite reports Sadiq Khan had halted preparatory work over fears more public money could be spent.

The body behind the new £175 million Thames crossing insisted it would pay for all work being carried out by London Underground to strengthen the structure of Temple tube station, so the Bridge can sit on top of it.

Transport for London’s finance and policy committee was expected to formally approve £3 million in spending on this last week - to be repaid by the trust under a previously agreed payment schedule.

Mr Khan’s office is understood to have hit the pause button to look at the agreement before construction work goes ahead, after he promised to support the project on the condition no extra public money was spent.

The Trust suggested there were other reasons for delay, which should be resolved by the end of July allowing work to proceed.

A spokeswoman said: “London Underground has completed initial work at Temple.

"Its work is now paused whilst the Trust completes all required planning and land matters ahead of starting full construction.

“Once all planning and property matters have been resolved the next phase of the London Underground work will commence.

"All works will be paid for by the Trust. It is full steam ahead across the planning priorities and fundraising is also very active.”

The project is due to open in 2018.

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