Lower Lea Valley Bridges
Lower Lea Valley Bridges Programme
The Lower Lea Valley Bridges Programme is a major connectivity initiative led by the London Borough of Newham in partnership with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, and supported by Transport for London and the Greater London Authority. The programme will deliver new walking and cycling crossings over the River Lea to help reduce severance, connect neighbourhoods, and support healthier, more sustainable travel.
With significant residential and commercial growth both planned and underway on both sides of the river, these connections are increasingly essential, ensuring that walking and cycling journeys aren’t forced onto busy roads with heavy traffic.
Across the Bridges programme, expected benefits include:
- Improved access to employment areas and transport hubs including Canning Town and Bromley-by-Bow.
- Reduced journey times, including potential reductions of 10-15 minutes for some walking routes from nearby communities to key interchanges such as Canning Town Station.
- Stronger links to green and community spaces including Langdon Park, Cody Dock and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, as well as better everyday access to riverside routes such as the Leaway Walk.
- Bridges designed to be accessible, climate-conscious, and reflective of the area’s industrial heritage, creating attractive local landmarks.
Mayer Parry Bridge
The first new bridge to be constructed as part of the Lower Lea Valley Bridges Programme is likely to be the Mayer Parry Bridge. This will create a new walking and cycling link between Canning Town and Poplar.
The delivery of the new bridge including design, construction and future maintenance is anticipated to cost £12million. This funding has been secured through a combination of contributions from local developments in Newham and Tower Hamlets, alongside a grant from the GLA.
The bridge will create a new east-west active travel link, helping people reach jobs, services, green spaces and transport connections more easily. It will support regeneration on both sides of the river, linking the Canning Town Enterprise Hub area with major development in Tower Hamlets, as well as strengthening connections between established neighbourhoods and communities.
The bridge will connect Leven Road in Tower Hamlets with the Leaway Path and Canning Town in Newham. In Newham, the bridge is proposed to land on the Leaway Walk, southeast of Cody Dock. As a part of the project, a new stretch of riverside walkway will be opened to the public, contributing to the aspiration for a continuous Leaway Walk southward to the Thames. The location of the proposed bridge is shown in the image below.
The bridge is being developed as a step-free route, designed to be accessible for everyone, including those using cycles, buggies or mobility aids. Design development has been informed by accessibility requirements and specialist input, so that the final bridge design works well for all users and feels safe and welcoming day and night.
Early design and feasibility work has already been completed, and the project is moving into the next stages at pace. The current indicative programme is:
- 2026: Land Agreements, Planning Approval & Technical Design
- 2027: Construction Start
- 2029: Open to Public
As the project moves through planning and delivery, there will be opportunities for residents, community groups and local stakeholders to stay informed and help shape its delivery, ensuring the bridge becomes a valued asset for the local community.
