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Roach Point Bridge
A planning application was made in December 2022 for the replacement of Roach Point Bridge to create a new walking and cycle link between Hackney Wick and Fish Island. The potential to replace the existing bridge and improve the associated infrastructure will create a more transparent crossing and vastly improve connectivity between Hackney Wick, in particular Hackney Wick Station and Fish Island. The bridge will also connect homes in Fish Island and Hackney Wick, including Fish Island Village.
Overview
This area has already started to undergo a significant transformation towards delivering the vision for Hackney Wick and Fish Island: to become a vibrant, diverse and well-connected series of mixed and balanced neighbourhoods, with places of social, cultural and economic activity.
As part of this vision, Roach Point Bridge was identified as a principal connection that would benefit from improvement; supplementary planning documents set out the ambition for a better north south route over the Hertford Union Canal, which would include a replacement pedestrian and cycle bridge to help meet the overall connectivity aims and objectives for the area.
In 2017 planning consent was granted for the Wickside Development, which included a replacement pedestrian and cycle Roach Point Bridge, with the condition that the bridge be delivered first. O'Shea, the developers of Wickside, are now beginning to deliver the bridge as the next phase of delivering better north-south connections.
Sustainability and design aims
The 'new' bridge includes re-using the span from the footbridge that was recently replaced at the end of Monier Road, as the old bridge is still structurally sound but not strong or wide enough to accommodate vehicles as required by the Sweetwater development. Re-using the existing bridge span will contribute to waste reduction through the reuse of materials.
The materials chosen for the new bridge approaches relate to the area’s unique industrial heritage, as well as the new aesthetic of the Monier Road bridge, Copper Box Arena and surrounding industrial buildings.
The design seeks to create a space that is inclusive for all, with pedestrian routes which meet accessibility standards and take inclusive access into account in terms of grading, width, surfaces to create a safe, accessible and inclusive environment for all.
The replacement footbridge will increase safety in the area and will be well-lit, and is a key link in delivering a more direct route between Hackney Wick Station and Fish Island.
Project timeline
- 14th October to 20th November 2022:Consultation period
- December 2022: Planning Application submitted
- September 2023: Permission Granted
- Bridge Closure – 4th November 2024
- Bridge Removal – 25th November 2024
- Piling Works – January 2025
- New Bridge Installed – March 2025
- Summer 2025: Bridge opens
Construction Works
The construction works cover removal of the existing bridge and deconstruction of the existing supports and ramps. Following on will be piling works for the new abutments which the new bridge will rest on. The new bridge will be lifted into place once the structural works have completed. The final activity will be to landscape the new landing areas.
O’Shea Group are the main contractor for the new approaches to the bridge; this ties into their existing works contract for the masterplan at the former McGrath’s site (Wickside).
If you have any questions during the construction period, please use the contact details below:
Project Manager: Patrick O’Sullivan
Contact Number: 02036300957
Email: Wickside@oshea.co.uk
In the event of an out of hours emergency please contact EyeView Security: 01233320199 or O’Shea Group Head Office: 02089593600
Construction of the bridge will run from November 2024-July 2025.
The bridge will remain closed for the duration of the construction period. Diversion signage will be placed on local routes, and will be communicated throughout the project.
The towpath along the canal will remain open except for two days: one day to remove the current bridge and one day to install the new bridge:
- 25th November 2024 for removal
- a day in March 2025 (to be confirmed)
The area is marked in orange hatch on the plan below indicates where the construction hoarding position will be. The hoarding line will be moved to to the will be removed at completion in July 2025.
The towpath on the Hackney Wick side will remain open for the duration of the works
Diversions during construction - Alternate Routes
Diversions during construction - Alternate Routes
Diversion signs will be placed at key intersections to advise of alternative routes. For residents of Fish Island who currently use the bridge link to access Hackney Wick or Victoria Park alternative routes are highlighted in the plan: Route 1 – Towards Victoria Park Routes 2 and 3 – Towards Hackney Wick
Planning application details
The replacement Roach Point Bridge application was made to the LLDC’s Planning Policy and Decisions Team on the 21st December 2022. The planning reference number is: (22/00524/FUL). Please click here to view the submission.
Consultation outcomes
The consultation period took place between the 14th October to 20th November 2022 and the public had the opportunity to give views online, by post and in-person.
In person public consultation events took place on the 27th October and 1st November 2022.
In total, there were 27 attendees at both consultation events. As part of the public consultation, local residents had the opportunity to ask questions to the applicant and design team which sought to resolve any queries of the proposal. In total 10 respondents used the online consultation platform, and 7 responses were provided through the in-person survey.
To summarise the public showed a great deal of support for the Roach Point Bridge development proposal and residents/locals are very much looking forward to the opening of the new bridge. Comments indicated that the current bridge is run down and not fit for purpose and detracts people from the area.
The new bridge will provide a well-lit route to Hackney Wick station which would be particularly welcoming for women, girls and other marginalised genders walking alone.
In terms of economic benefits, it was described that the opening of the new bridge would increase footfall to local businesses on the island if direct access from the station was facilitated, consequently, boosting the local economy.
Residents believed it is logical for a new bridge to be built due to the new residential buildings being built in Fish Island, this will help the area cope with the increased footfall.
Background information
FAQ's
Why has the replacement bridge been proposed?
- The replacement Roach Point Bridge will improve the vital connection between Fish Island and Hackney Wick while highlighting the unique identity and appearance of these two neighbourhoods, as noted in the LLDC Local Plan (2021), which designates Hackney Wick and Fish Island as Sub Area 1.
- The Hackney Wick and Fish Island Supplementary Planning Document (2018) identifies that within infrastructure, connectivity projects have been identified to ensure that accessibility to public transport is delivered as well and encourage more movements by foot or bicycle in the Hackney Wick and Fish Island area.
- The proposed replacement Roach Point Bridge is therefore clearly highlighted in local policy that it will act as a key connectivity and infrastructure improvement to Hackney Wick and Fish Island Sub Area.
- The bridge is part of series of projects that will transform Hackney Wick and Fish island in the coming years.
- The bridge will also connect homes which will be delivered in the future as part of the Hackney Wick Masterplan to Fish Island.
How would the replacement bridge improve upon the existing Roach Point Bridge?
- The Fish Island Area Action Plan identifies a priority to improve connections over the waterways and identifies that the existing Roach Point Bridge should be upgraded as the existing bridge is narrow and unable to accommodate the substantial intensification of pedestrian and cycle traffic due to committed and proposed developments in the area.
- The current route between Hackney Wick and Fish Island involves walking along the towpath, the replacement bridge will create a more direct and accessible route between Hackney Wick and Fish Island.
- This bridge will provide a safer connectivity point between Hackney Wick and Fish Island, with improved lighting to ensure that users feel safe when walking day/night.
- The replacement bridge will act as a public realm improvement with improvements proposed to the landscaping.
- The replacement bridge seeks to make re-use of the previous H14 Bridge which fulfils the criteria for sustainable development.
Why was the planning application resubmitted in 2022 after being approved in 2017??
- An application for the same scheme was previously submitted in July 2017 and was approved in October 2017 by the LLDC Planning Authority (ref: 17/00307/FUL). This planning approval required development to commence within a three-year period following the date of its permission. Development was delayed due to Covid-19 disruption and other various factors, and the planning permission expired as of October 2020.
- A new planning application was made in order to obtain approval for the replacement Roach Point Bridge. There were minimal detailed design changes, but the resubmission did address new policy changes from national, regional and local levels.
What impact will Construction have on me?
- The existing Roach Point Bridge will be demolished an inaccessible for a period of 9 months Pedestrians and cyclists will have to seek alternative routes such as Monier Road Footbridge and walking along Capital Ring and then turning onto White Post Lane for a period of circa 9 months. A detailed diversion plan with signage and programme is available on this website
Funding for the Bridge
- To the north of the bridge is the Wickside development, being developed by O'Shea. As part of their Section 106 they are required to deliver the northern bridge approach and the bridge deck.
- The southern approach of the bridge has been funded by LLDC funded through CIL/S106 monies. LLDC has appointed O’Shea, the developer for Wickside and their contractor to deliver all the works, including the southern approach.
Contact details
If you have any questions during the construction period, please contact:
Project Manager: Patrick O’Sullivan
Contact Number: 02036300957
Email: Wickside@oshea.co.uk
In the event of an out of hours emergency please contact EyeView Security: 01233320199 or O’Shea Group Head Office: 02089593600
