RSPB pulls support for Garden Bridge

By Dave Rogers2015-01-06T10:57:00+00:00

No comments

Wildlife charity says easier and cheaper ways to promote wildlife

A leading wildlife charity has pulled its support for Thomas Heatherwick鈥檚 Garden Bridge in London, saying its 拢175 million cost would be better spent on other wildlife projects.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds had initially backed the idea but in a statement put out just before Christmas the group said it could now no longer support the plans.

鈥淔rom a conservation point of view, the bridge adds little and damages little, so the RSPB had cautiously supported the initial concept,鈥� the charity said.

鈥淲ater capture and storage as part of a wider drainage initiative would have been a bonus. Better still, it could link existing wildlife spots north and south of the river, but that鈥檚 not currently part of the plans. Londoners will not be gaining a new, wildlife rich habitat and, consequently, the bridge will not gain RSPB backing.鈥�

Heatherwick Studio and Arup's garden bridge

The RSPB says the 拢175 million cost of the bridge would be better spent on other initiatives

It said the cost would be better spent on other ways to protect disappearing wildlife and promote environmental initiatives.

鈥淎s supporters of green infrastructure in London, the RSPB can suggest much easier and cheaper ways to make life more pleasant for Londoners and urban wildlife. 拢175 million could do a lot to boost the way we manage water and waste or generate energy in the capital in ways that would clean our environment and better support some of the 60% of species currently vanishing around us.

鈥淚ndeed, Londoners can collectively add to the capital鈥檚 habitats and support much more wildlife than this 拢175 million bridge ever could.鈥�

The bridge was approved by the mayor of London鈥檚 office at the end of last year. The two local planning authorities involved had previously OK鈥檇 the 366m bridge from the South Bank to Temple Tube station.

Mayor Boris Johnson said: 鈥淭he garden bridge will provide a fantastic new landmark for London whilst supporting regeneration and economic growth on both sides of the Thames. It will create a stunning oasis of tranquillity in the heart of our city and boost our plans to encourage walking in the city.鈥�

Transport for London and the Treasury have both committed 拢30 million each to the scheme. The rest of the cost will need to be privately fundraised.