East London is at risk of losing the economic legacy of the Olympics unless a £600 million river crossing is built, it was claimed today.
The London Chamber of Commerce (LCCI) has launched a campaign to persuade politicians to commit to a new bridge at Gallions Reach. Colin Stanbridge, LCCI chief executive, said: “We are in danger of losing the Olympic legacy unless we improve cross-river communications. The economic possibilities are huge and East London is going to be the focus of a population increase. At the moment river communications in East London are appalling.”
The campaign wants politicians to commit ahead of the general and mayoral elections, and was today supported by former transport secretary Andrew Adonis, Newham mayor Sir Robin Wales and Matthew Hall, chief commercial officer of City Airport. London Mayor Boris Johnson has performed on a U-turn on the crossing, cancelling it in his first term. West Londoners benefit from a bridge for every 250,000 residents, while the east has one for every 1.7 million. The campaign claims a new bridge could bring 80,000 to Gallions Reach alone.
London’s population is predicted to grow by 1.5 million in 20 years — most of that likely to be in the east. The campaign claims independent economic analysis shows the bridge will add £55.7 million to the economy each year.
