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Southeast Londoners will remember when, back in 2024, a massive crimson bridge was revealed in Canada Water. The shiny new landmark, called the Canada Dock Boardwalk, was designed by legendary architect Asif Khan and traverses waters that were once crossed by cargo ships arriving from the Atlantic.
Built on the side of the dock next to the wetlands, it was designed to create a natural habitat for local wildlife, and was constructed as part of the 12-year, £4 billion Canada Water Masterplan.
Now, thanks to a separate development plan, the bright red bridge could have some competition as the area’s top attraction.
What’s better than one shiny new bridge? Surely two shiny new bridges. At least Southwark Council thinks so, because it has just approved plans for yet another swanky overpass in Canada Water.
The Albion Bridge will create a new crossing over the 5.8m-wide Albion Channel, replacing an existing steel-framed faux drawbridge built in the 1980s.
The current crossing is petite, with barely enough room for more than one person to cross over at a time. In its place, the new designs reveal a 170-square-metre structure featuring a ‘generous, accessible deck’, according to Carter Gregson Gray, the architecture firm behind the project.
Its new designs broaden the bridge significantly, with leaning rails and ‘amenity space’ allowing people to pause at the water’s edge. A see-through grill will divide this space from the main walkway, meaning you’ll still be able to race across in a rush.
Public feedback during the application process stressed that it was also important to have enough space for cyclists, which influenced the final design, making the bridge even more spacious.
Inspired by images of timber planks floating in the dock, the designers have developed the structure to look like a floating raft between the two edges of the dock.
As for when we can expect the stunning new structure to materialise, we’re still waiting on a timetable, but Southwark Council approved the planning application this week.
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