to be really upset about the Garden Bridge?

[butterfly133]

I know there's been increased publicity about the problems of the Garden Bridge and it's up for review soon. But what I find it interesting is that, although I totally agree with the finances - why pay for this in a time of austerity - some of the articles explaining the problems don't even explain that the view along the river will be ruined. St Paul's Cathedral has just been named Britain's favourite building so why are the GB people - unless they're stopped at review stage - allowed to block not just that view, but the entire skyline?

I've talked to other friends about this and they don't really care. I grew up feeling like the walk along the Thames and the London skyline was like therapy, and I wanted my children to be able to do the same. So did my parents. They can't be bothered opposing it because they think times change and no one cares any more about the skyline and views. Is that true?

Re the cash, DP and I travel to work nearly every day (well he does every day) and pay our fares to TFL. Why should we pay for TFL to invest in expensive ornaments? I don't think TFL is accountable to anyone is it, so we can't even talk to the local MP about it.And Temple will become a nightmare, one of the last quiet places left in London. I feel like government forgets people live here and think it's a massive theme park for tourists.

A Garden Bridge might be very nice, sure, but why there? It could revive other areas along the Thames rather than clogging up a place which is already busy. What do MNers think? Sorry, it's a very London-centric thing I guess....but then again, my folks don't live here any more and they're still upset about it.

[nicelyneurotic]

I agree. It looks nice but the money could be better spent.

Also, Tfl is more or less ruled by the Mayor. I think they were ordered to donate some funds because Boris/the Governent is keen on it.

There's a lot of opposition. Def write to MP's, not just your own, and any of the folks planning to run for Mayor next year.

[BuildYourOwnSnowman]

From what I heard tfl were very reluctant to be involved and were bullied into taking on the costs

[toothlessoldhag]

Thanks OP I was aware of this, but hadn't got my act together to do anything about it.

[butterfly133]

Grailydind - thank you!

Now TFL are questioning a) their own involvement, making me think even more that they were leaned on to back it b) the tender process itself

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jun/19/tfl-to-review-tenders-for-garden-bridge-design-amid-claims-bid-was-prejudged?CMP=share_btn_tw

Still mystified about this. Glad Ken L had the sense to turn it down. Wish it would just get canned.

[Grailydind]

Signed. Thanks for bringing it to our attention so eloquently

[butterfly133]

OrangeVase - particularly handy that it's Zac Goldsmith - if we can find a Tory to speak against it, it will be helpful. I think the only candidates who have actually said they will stop it are Diane Abbott and Christian Wolmar.

[butterfly133]

thanks for writing apathy will get us nowhere!

re the flats, wow. I hadn't thought of that, now it all seems crystal clear. Considering we've had a lot of buildings replaced with luxury blocks, it is depressing. Thank goodness we won't have Boris any longer. I really do feel as if he is trying to make London into Monte Carlo.

[OrangeVase]

Our fire station went, as did our police station, our (post office) sorting offfice, our station goods yard.

Flats in these buildings now sell for £1.5 million.

[OrangeVase]

Done - written to MP. May or may not make any difference.

[BuildYourOwnSnowman]

Yes it was funny that most earmarked for closure were in higher house price areas.

Ds an I even went on a demo walk last year. He still looks like he's chewing a wasp when he hears boris' name!!

[OrangeVase]

I have emailed. I hope not too late.

Used to live near here and loved that space. Will aslo write to my MP - who happens to be Zac Goldsmith - prospective Mayor of London.

[butterfly133]

Whois, you won't have to pay to cross it. At least that would get it paid for by volunteers.

Build, I am so thick, i hadn't even thought of that with the fire stations. Argh.

[BuildYourOwnSnowman]

My ds still hasn't forgiven boris for closing down our local fire station. Prime piece of real estate that is...

[whois]

I was really pro until I found out you would have to pay to cross it. That doesn't sit right.

[IrenetheQuaint]

Boris was elected in 2008 partly on a platform of protecting London from rapacious developers and hideous new developments.

[butterfly133]

actually this article is better for the English Heritage position

www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/architecture/garden-bridge-st-pauls-adds-to-175m-projects-troubled-waters-9926929.html

I do think the skyline's got enough modernity for now though. I like the Shard and the Cheesegrater but we don't need more. The development around Moorgate and Liverpool Street is going at quite a rate, plus the Shell development at Waterloo is being pushed through now.

[butterfly133]

English Heritage have approved it
www.standard.co.uk/news/london/fantastic-news-garden-bridge-plans-were-approved-says-architect-thomas-heaterwick-9899706.html

I like the London skyline - well, not the Walkie Talkie. But I think loss of light to residential buildings is unforgiveable. I feel like they have forgotten people actually live in Central London - I don't, but I'd be very upset if I did.

Which is the bath sponge?

I have said, in my emails to people, that I've never objected to any development in London before. I don't like this idea that anti-Garden Bridge people are all anti-change or NIMBYs...although I suppose that's better than Boris calling us the "Taliban". But it's an interesting point - I suspect that there a few of us objecting to the GB who've never objected to any other development, or indeed embraced change.

[lalalonglegs]

I can't believe English Heritage aren't jumping up and down spokesperson here

[BuildYourOwnSnowman]

They keep butchering the skyline (eg walkie talkie)

It looks like they are going to permit a building in my borough that is twice the height of the closest buildings. It will cast into shadow the councils own green space. But hey, they will put in some tiny studios at affordable prices and a ground floor site for a charity so who cares if its going to ruin the aesthetics of the area.

[chocolateyay]

I hate the new london skyline with thr pointy, jaggy skyscrapers, curvy rounded buildings and weird pointy towers. And rbe stupid one that looks like a bath sponge. From the 'fuck you' school of architecture. At least southbank and barbican have been listed.

[butterfly133]

great, thanks!

I've had a few people tell me "it's impossible, that view is protected" - which confuses me even more in terms of how it got through planning. if it was just me being sentimental - that view is like therapy - it would be one thing - but a little digging showed it is meant to be a protected view so I am unclear how it got through.

I have a horrible feeling that it will go up and people who had no idea what was happening - through no fault of their own - will be distraught.

I also love walking along the South Bank green area that's going...and over the bridges. Goodness knows there are days I struggle in London, that view sets me right again. Earth has not anything to show more fair etc. (apologies to non-Londoners who think I'm off my head).

[BuildYourOwnSnowman]

I've just emailed too.

I know it's not a huge amount of money in the grand scheme of things but they are cutting arts budgets left right and centre an this money annually could make a difference there too. And why is the money being spent in London.

There are so many different reasons I can think of that make this a bad idea

[lalalonglegs]

I've emailed - and so has my 11yo daughter .

[Pestolavista]

Thank you for posting this. I work in Stamford Street and had no idea that the Coin Street open space was ear marked as part of the bridge. A disgrace in my opinion.

I will be very sad, if the view - one of the only free attractions - in an overpriced area - is sacrificed for this ghastly white elephant.

[butterfly133]

Today is the last day to object to the sale of the land needed for the landing strip, so email them if you want to stop it - address in link - along with a realistic view of what it will look like when you walk along the South Bank

tcos.org.uk/index.php/8-latest-news/16-another-chance-to-stop-the-sale-of-public-land-for-private-development-write-to-lambeth-council-here