1 – RIVERFRONT
LEISURE, HISTORY, CONNECTIONS
The London Bridge riverfront will become critical to walkability, connectivity and flow for London Bridge. With sightlines to the River Thames and Tower Bridge from every angle, the riverfront offers uncluttered spaces to linger, relax and engage in a family-friendly environment. The riverfront will provide seamless connections to the rest of London via connections to Bankside, Shad Thames and the City.
LANDMARKS
• Tower Bridge
• River Thames
• City Hall
• HMS Belfast
ISSUES
• Difficult to access the riverside and poor sense of arrival from Borough High Street and Tooley Street
• Uninspiring riverfront public realm, few places to linger and explore
• Lack of connectivity to Tooley Street and the rest of London Bridge
OPPORTUNITIES
• Increase connectivity to surrounding areas with river walk enhancements
• Improve pedestrian and cycle safety and access with a redesigned junction at Borough High Street
• Provide business opportunities and enhanced aesthetics using improved design and activation of retail stands
• Improve connection to the rest of London Bridge with wayfinding signage, providing opportunities for creativity and historical interpretation
• Encourage higher use of the riverfront with addition of pedestrian amenities, including seating, art and play spaces
• Activating, improving and lighting connecting pathways to increase safety and help draw pedestrians into London Bridge
COMMERCIAL CORE
LONDON BRIDGE’S HIGH STREET
Generally centred on Tooley Street, London Bridge’s Commercial Core will be the front door to London Bridge from London Bridge Station. A flexible and permeable public realm will welcome commuters who will arrive in a London Bridge that is refined, urban and commercial. Tooley Street will be multi-modal, balancing a number of transport uses while being sensitive to cyclists and pedestrians. The Commercial Core will welcome high street retail, a mix of comparison shopping, conveniences and dining options.
LANDMARKS
• London Bridge Station
• Hay’s Galleria
• Potters Fields Park
• London Bridge City
• One Tower Bridge
• The Shard
ISSUES
• Significant pedestrian congestion at London Bridge Station exits and entrances
• Traffic, pedestrian and bicycle pinch points at the intersection of Tooley Street with Borough High Street and Tower Bridge Road create safety challenges
• The amenities of Potters Fields Park and St. John’s Churchyard are not well integrated into the area, nor are they visually open or accessible
• Current retail offer is primarily food-based and there is a lack of comparison shopping
OPPORTUNITIES
• Create more space for pedestrians, allow for wider pavements, and open opportunities to establish shared spaces as the redesign of London Bridge Station changes the landscape
• Soften the busy Commercial Core environs and increase public safety by opening up Potters Fields Park entrance and rethinking the design of St. John’s Churchyard
• Improve high street retail and address the changing needs of workers, residents and visitors stimulated by growing transport usage and diversified mixed-use development
BRIDGE ARCHES
THE CULTURAL SPINE OF LONDON BRIDGE
History, culture, arts and entertainment are the hallmark of the London Bridge Arches. The area which stretches the length of St. Thomas Street is a destination for unique goods, creative spaces and gathering places. The area is gritty and character-filled, home to nooks and crannies of interest. At the heart of the area, St. Thomas Street will be a people space, pedestrian-focused, slower paced and easygoing. The Arches are where the London Bridge stories are told and where connections are made between the past and the present.
LANDMARKS
• The Shard
• The Railway Arches and Tunnels
• St. John’s Churchyard
• The Quill on Weston Street
• London Bridge Quarter
ISSUES
• St. Thomas Street is currently car-centric, and situated adjacent to a long stretch of boarded-up arches
• The area at present is dark and void of much activity, making the area feel lifeless
• The relationship between developments and the street level is challenging, the area is defined by blank walls at the pedestrian level and little in the way of activated frontages
• The dark tunnels create a disconnect between this area and the rest of London Bridge
OPPORTUNITIES
• A new pedestrian focused environment on St Thomas Street, reducing vehicle traffic to allow human movement and encouraging interesting dwell spaces and activities
• Establish the public realm as a priority by adding seating, lighting, art and interesting spaces and places
• Turn the tunnels into an amenity, restoring them by adding lighting and public art; increasing safety and connectivity
• Utilise the renovation of the arches to create an interesting mix of destination businesses that encourage activity into the evening hours
SCIENCE, EDUCATION AND MEDICAL HUB
WHERE INNOVATION, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY CONVERGE
The Hub is an integrated area of medical, educational, science and research institutions, supported by shared services and facilities. With its own distinct population of users and visitors, the aim is to integrate the assets within to support London Bridge overall.
LANDMARKS
• King’s College London
• Guy’s Hospital
• Guy’s Cancer Centre
• Science Gallery and Courtyard
• Fielden House
• Yards and Lanes
ISSUES
• The area is home to distinctive uses and beautiful facilities, but it is hard to know what is here and how to access it
• Guy’s Hospital and King’s College are tremendous campuses, but they are inward facing to a certain degree and not well connected to the rest of London Bridge
• The yards and lanes within the area are interesting spaces, but hard to find and underutilised
OPPORTUNITIES
• Open up entrances and enhance street-level aesthetics using interesting design to invite people in to explore
• Encourage the development of public spaces, including the Yards and Lanes; finding ways to activate them and make them safe and welcoming
• Improve wayfinding in creative ways, to encourage users to explore the area and in particular the hidden nooks
