A river crossing between Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf was set to help transform this growth area of east London by unlocking better access to jobs and homes.
However, this major infrastructure project was paused, by Transport for London (TfL), who are in the middle of developing a cheaper, alternative option - a frequent ferry service.
How did TfL miscalculate such a big project so badly? Budget projections for the project soared from £120-£180 million in November 2017[4], to £463 million in March 2019 and now latest estimates stand at exceeding £600 million.[5]
What lessons have TfL learnt from costing such major capital projects?
The London Assembly Transport Committee has written to TfL to urge them to review and improve its business planning process, so that under-funded and undeliverable projects are not progressed, as a result of unrealistic engineering proposals and low cost estimates. The Committee has also sought further detail and clarification on the proposed ferry service.
Navin Shah AM, Chair of the Transport Committee, said:
“How did TfL get its sums so wrong? This major infrastructure project is key to unlocking this part of east London in terms of active transport links, jobs and homes.
“A ferry service between Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf is a much cheaper alternative, but we have questions over its cost, frequency, commencement of the service and whether it will be free to use.”
“TfL must improve how it costs major infrastructure projects and ensure that projects of this kind have realistic costings and plans, so that Londoners are not continually disappointed time and again.”
Related documents
Letter on the Rotherhithe to Canary Wharf crossing
Notes to editors
- The letter to the Mayor is attached.
- London Assembly Transport Committee.
- TfL, The Rotherhithe to Canary Wharf Crossing: Background to the Consultation Report, TfL (November 2017).
- Letter from Deputy Mayor for Transport to the former Chair of the Transport Committee (21 June 2019).
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
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