London plans for a walk on the wet side
Source: Agencies |
January 27, 2011, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
A MILE-LONG floating walkway on London's River Thames is being planned in the heart of the British capital, allowing views of the city's hidden alleys, wharves and landmarks dating back to medieval times.
The pontoon, known as the "London River Park," will connect Blackfriars Bridge, on the western edge of the ancient city, and the Tower of London in the east.
Suspended a few feet above the water on the north bank, the walk will be interspersed with five glass pavilions housing a museum, a cinema, a concert hall and an eco-park among other attractions.
The promenade, to be built in time for the Olympic Games and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012 - if funding is found - won the Mayor of London's award for planning excellence last week.
The mayor, Boris Johnson, who has championed the rejuvenation of the river as a transport artery and tourist attraction said it will allow the public to "wander through the meandering backstreets of the ancient city."
A spokeswoman for architects Gensler, who drew up the plans, said the scheme was still at a conceptual stage but that talks are taking place with a number of investors to fund the 25 million pound (US$40 million) project.
"The mayor's office is extremely keen to get this off the ground ... we've had support all the way. So it does look very positive," Anna -Robinson said.
The design allows visitors to get off the walkway via gangways allowing them to explore landmarks, alleys and disused wharves close to the shore.
An advantage of the design is that it can be moved to another part of the city and the "pods" given new themes.
The pontoon, known as the "London River Park," will connect Blackfriars Bridge, on the western edge of the ancient city, and the Tower of London in the east.
Suspended a few feet above the water on the north bank, the walk will be interspersed with five glass pavilions housing a museum, a cinema, a concert hall and an eco-park among other attractions.
The promenade, to be built in time for the Olympic Games and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012 - if funding is found - won the Mayor of London's award for planning excellence last week.
The mayor, Boris Johnson, who has championed the rejuvenation of the river as a transport artery and tourist attraction said it will allow the public to "wander through the meandering backstreets of the ancient city."
A spokeswoman for architects Gensler, who drew up the plans, said the scheme was still at a conceptual stage but that talks are taking place with a number of investors to fund the 25 million pound (US$40 million) project.
"The mayor's office is extremely keen to get this off the ground ... we've had support all the way. So it does look very positive," Anna -Robinson said.
The design allows visitors to get off the walkway via gangways allowing them to explore landmarks, alleys and disused wharves close to the shore.
An advantage of the design is that it can be moved to another part of the city and the "pods" given new themes.
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