Bridge specialists, Knight Architects, have received substantial public approval for their South Dock Bridge, a new pedestrian bridge in London’s Docklands. Once completed, it is expected to become one of the busiest pedestrian bridges in London.
Designed by Knight Architects, Arcadis, and Kgal for the London Borough of Tower Hamlets (LBTH), the proposed bridge will support increased volumes of pedestrian traffic, which are predicted with the expansion of the Isle of Dogs, a historic, major trading center in London. The area is surrounded by the River Thames and contains Canary Wharf, one of the UK’s main financial centers. The increased predicted levels of pedestrian traffic in the Isle of Dogs is set to be above levels that can be comfortably accommodated with existing infrastructure. The South Dock Bridge intends to support this expansion.
The bridge will improve walkable connections between existing public spaces with proposed development in the area and local public transit. It is also expected to improve access to jobs, retail, and other services at Canary Wharf.
Following feedback from the RIBA Stage 2 Public Consultation in 2018, a second, six-week Public Consultation was held in 2020 to present how the design responded to feedback from the previous consultation. The consultation combined online events, public exhibitions, and featured a specifically created website. Building from the initial feedback, the bridge has been well received and supported by a majority of respondents.
The South Dock Bridge is a two-span variable-depth steel beam with a single central pier in the dock. Each of the spans is approximately 35 meters long. The bridge provides a permanent 15-meter-wide and 3-meter-high navigable channel for smaller boats to pass underneath. Also, due to a movable north span, it offers a 25-meter-wide channel without height restriction for taller ships. The deck width varies from 7.8 meters at the south end to 15.4 meters at the north one. A triangular void in the movable span directs people away from an existing emergency staircase. The north abutment hosts the drive mechanism and a concealed counterweight that balances the structure to minimize the energy needed to open the bridge.
The design is sleek and understated. The void both guides users and allows for views through the bridge when it is raised. Paying tribute to the history of Canary Wharf, the bridge’s sculptural geometry echoes the curved base of the historic cranes that were once present along the quays of the site.
The planning application for the South Dock Bridge has been submitted, and a decision is expected this month. Construction is expected to start in 2022 with an opening planned for 2023.
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