News from Caroline Russell: Now Garden Bridge fiasco over let's build useful river crossings

Caroline Russell AM welcomes the Mayor's announcement that no more public money will be put into the proposed Garden Bridge, and suggested funds would be better spent improving connectivity in London.



As a campaigner for better walking and cycling routes around London Caroline has questioned the cost of the Garden Bridge project [1] which she says has 'no transport, tourism or event horticultural case'.



Caroline's motion supporting the Diamond Jubilee bridge – a walking and cycling bridge that would connect Battersea and Fulham – was backed by the London Assembly in September 2016. [2]

It’s good news that the Garden Bridge fiasco is finally over. The Mayor was right not to commit more public money to an indulgent vanity project. As much money as possible must now be recovered from the Garden Bridge Trust.

Other parts of London do need useful, genuinely green river crossings that will enable Londoners to walk and cycle.

The Mayor must get on and fund the Diamond Jubilee Bridge between Battersea and Fulham. He recently told me he backs the project and he has put it in his 25 year draft transport plan. And at £30m it is a bargain compared to the £185m Garden Bridge.