Key Points
- A new footbridge called Mayer Parry Bridge will span the River Lea, connecting Tower Hamlets and Newham.
- The £10 million project is jointly funded by both councils, each contributing £4.8 million.
- An additional £2.4 million grant is expected from the Greater London Authority.
- Construction is planned to start in 2027 with contracts awarded around that time.
- The bridge will connect the Leaway footpath in Canning Town with Leven Road in Poplar.
- This new crossing aims to overcome the current lack of pedestrian and cycle access between the A13 at Canning Town and Twelvetrees Crescent at Bromley-by-Bow.
- Newham Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz highlighted the bridge as critical for growth and job access.
- Feasibility studies indicate only this single bridge can be funded at present; two other planned bridges, Lochnagar and Poplar Reach, face funding and land challenges despite planning permission for Lochnagar.
- Funding partly comes from developer contributions, including a planned data centre in Bidder Street.
- There is a “small risk” regarding developer payment triggers, but safeguards are in place.
- Negotiations with a private landowner in Canning Town for access rights are progressing positively.
- Tower Hamlets will finalise its funding contribution in January 2026.
What is the Mayer Parry Bridge project?
As reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), the Mayer Parry Bridge is a long-awaited footbridge planned to cross the River Lea between the east London boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Newham. The bridge will link the Leaway footpath in Canning Town, Newham, with Leven Road in Poplar, Tower Hamlets, providing a vital new pedestrian and cycle route.
The bridge aims to fill a significant gap in river crossings, as there is currently no way for pedestrians or cyclists to cross the River Lea safely between the A13 at Canning Town and Twelvetrees Crescent at Bromley-by-Bow, a distance exceeding one mile.
How are the councils funding the bridge?
Tower Hamlets Council confirmed to LDRS this week that it has allocated £4.8 million to the project. Newham Council’s cabinet voted last week to match this contribution, making the combined council funding £9.6 million.
Additionally, the Greater London Authority is expected to provide a £2.4 million grant, bringing the total committed funds close to £12 million. This collaborative funding approach reflects a joint commitment to improving local infrastructure and connectivity.
According to papers presented at Newham’s cabinet meeting on 23rd October, funds include contributions from developers under planning agreements. For example, £1 million of Newham’s share will come from the developers of a proposed data centre on Bidder Street, paid in two installments during construction phases in 2027.
What are the expected benefits of the new bridge?
Newham Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz stated, as reported by LDRS, that the Mayer Parry Bridge
“will be a vital piece of infrastructure that will connect a really significant part of Tower Hamlets with Newham to create opportunities of growth and access to jobs.”
This reflects the bridge’s strategic importance in fostering local economic development and improving residents’ commuting options.
The Newham cabinet papers described the current river and busy main roads like the A12 and A13 as physical barriers for the community. They emphasised the area’s potential for significant residential and commercial growth, which the bridge will support by enabling safer, more convenient pedestrian and cycle journeys away from hazardous traffic routes.
Why are the other two proposed bridges not proceeding immediately?
Newham Council’s feasibility study has indicated that funding the two other planned crossings—Lochnagar and Poplar Reach bridges—would require either substantial borrowing or diverting funds from other critical borough infrastructure projects. As a result, the councils are concentrating on delivering the Mayer Parry Bridge first.
Despite Lochnagar Bridge receiving planning permission in May 2024, cost, funding limitations, and land ownership issues make immediate construction unlikely. Papers suggest these other bridges
“may become feasible in the longer term if conditions change and further funding becomes available.”
What challenges are involved in delivering the Mayer Parry Bridge?
Negotiations with a private landowner in Canning Town are ongoing to secure access rights necessary for bridge construction. Council officers described these talks as “quite positive,” mitigating one significant potential hurdle.
There is also a “small risk” regarding the developer contributions tied to the data centre construction milestones in 2027. Should construction not reach these “trigger points,” councils have safeguards allowing suspension of the project or to seek alternative funding sources.
Tower Hamlets Council also plans to approve and “finalise” its contribution by its cabinet meeting in January 2026, ensuring financial commitments are in place before contracting construction.
When will the bridge be built and opened?
Both Tower Hamlets and Newham councils expect to enter into construction contracts for the Mayer Parry Bridge around 2027, aligned with developer payment schedules. Construction should follow soon after, with an aim to complete the footbridge within that timeframe to improve connections between the boroughs promptly.
