Calls for new bridge to be built between Nine Elms and Pimlico

By Charlotte Lillywhite, Local Democracy Reporter

Fresh calls have been made to build a bridge across the River Thames almost a decade after the proposals were first announced.

The pedestrian and cycle bridge would link Nine Elms, in Wandsworth, to Pimlico, in Westminster.

The bridge would offer an alternative to the neighbouring Chelsea and Vauxhall bridges for pedestrians and cyclists, and potentially slash congestion along the nearby Battersea Park Road and Nine Elms Lane.

Wandsworth council opened a design competition for the bridge in 2014, which was won by architects Bystrup the following year.

It follows the adoption of the council’s new local plan on July 19, which will shape development in Wandsworth for the next 15 years by guiding decisions on planning applications and informing future investment.

The plan identifies the area surrounding Kirtling Street, in Nine Elms, as the indicative landing site for the bridge.

It says the Kirtling Street area is occupied by Thames Tideway Tunnel works, which are estimated to be finished by 2025.

It says the bridge “would connect the community on the south bank of the Thames in Nine Elms with the wider area”, while offering the opportunity to create ‘world-class’ public realm or open space along the approach to the bridge on the southern side.

Conservative councillor Mark Justin asked for an update on the bridge proposals ahead of a Wandsworth council meeting on July 19.

A written reply from Labour councillor Jenny Yates, cabinet member for transport, confirmed a location had been identified in the Kirtling Street area as the indicative landing site for the bridge.

But she added: “Residents in the local area lobbied as part of the Local Plan examination to ensure the policy made clear that other locations would be possible.”

A Wandsworth council spokesman said: “One local priority under consideration is to explore opportunities for better integration in the Kirtling Street area – including through a proposed Nine Elms Pimlico pedestrian and cycle bridge.

“These remain active considerations and further decisions around how funding will be prioritised will be set out in due course.”

Westminster City council and Bystrup have been contacted for comment.

Pictured top: Aerial visualisation of Nine Elms Pimlico Bridge preferred location (Picture: Wandsworth council)