Tower Hamlets bridge costs rise to £25m after £2.3m spent on consultants
Council admits no construction start date for South Dock Bridge linking Canary Wharf and Isle of Dogs
Incident → evidence → outcomeTower Hamlets Council has spent £2.3 million on consulting fees for a footbridge that may never be built. The South Dock Bridge, intended to link Canary Wharf with South Quay and the Isle of Dogs, was due for completion in 2024. The council now says the project’s cost has risen to £25 million, with no start date for construction.
Delays and rising costs
Planning for the bridge began in 2017, with the council’s website previously stating it would be finished by 2024. A council spokesperson told the *Evening Standard* that construction costs have increased significantly due to external economic factors. The project remains without a confirmed start date.
Andrew Wood, a former councillor for Blackwall & Cubitt Town, said this is the fourth failed attempt to build a bridge in the area. He told the *Evening Standard* that some developments in Canary Wharf received planning permission on the condition that the bridge would be built. Developers paid extra through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to fund the project.
“Residents paid extra for their apartments to cover the costs and will get no benefit. And this is one of the reasons development, apart from some student housing schemes, has basically stopped on the Isle of Dogs.”
Resident support and developer contributions
A 2018 consultation found that 96% of residents supported the bridge. Planning documents described the 77-metre bascule lifting bridge as a way to improve connectivity and create a landmark for the area. The council estimated it would be used by more than 80,000 people daily once completed.
Despite the support, the council has not committed to building the bridge. A spokesperson said they continue to explore options for the project, acknowledging its importance but citing financial and delivery challenges. No timeline has been given for a decision.
What happens next
Tower Hamlets Council has not announced any formal steps to restart the project. Residents and developers who contributed CIL funds for the bridge have not been told if they will receive refunds or alternative infrastructure. The council says it is still considering how to proceed but has not set a deadline for a decision.
Questions this report answers
01How much has Tower Hamlets Council spent on the South Dock Bridge so far?
The council has spent £2.3 million on consulting fees for the South Dock Bridge, including feasibility studies, design work, and stakeholder engagement. No construction has begun, and the project’s total cost is now estimated at £25 million.
02Why has the South Dock Bridge not been built yet?
The council says construction costs have risen to £25 million due to external economic factors. Despite planning approval and resident support, the project has no confirmed start date and may not proceed at all.
03Did residents support the South Dock Bridge?
Yes, a 2018 consultation found that 96% of residents were in favour of the bridge. It was intended to improve connectivity between Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs, with an estimated 80,000 daily users.
04What happens to the money developers and residents paid for the bridge?
Developers and residents contributed Community Infrastructure Levy funds for the bridge, but it is unclear if they will receive refunds. The council has not announced any plans to return the money or redirect it to other projects.
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