River bridge

Thomas Heatherwick envisions a lush garden walkway connecting the north and south of London for his proposed bridge over the River Thames.

Thomas Heatherwick's proposal for a pedestrian bridge over the River Thames in London will serve to connect the north and south of London. 

Envisioned as a "green bridge", the Garden Bridge was designed and developed after Transport for London awarded a tender to Heatherwick Studios to improve pedestrian links across the iconic waterway. 

With London's rich heritage of allotments, gardens, heathlands, parks and squares in mind, Heatherwick designed the bridge with a lush garden walkway that would be planted with grass, trees and wild flowers in mind.

Landscape designer Dan Pearson has been appointed to work with Heatherwick, Arup engineers and Transport for London is designing the landscape elements of the bridge. 

Actress and campaigner Joanna Lumley, who worked with Heatherwick on the idea for the bridge, says: "The Garden Bridge will be sensational in every way: a place with no noise or traffic where the only sounds will be birdsong and bees buzzing and the wind In the trees, and below the steady rush of water."

Watch the Talk with Thomas Heatherwick