In announcing the funding, chief secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said: "As well as the economic benefits that our transport network brings, we should remember that infrastructure can also add to the cultural life of our country, and our civic pride. That’s why the government will be providing £30 million to help make the dream of a Garden Bridge over the Thames a reality. Providing this investment will – I’m certain – help the Bridge’s Trust to secure private donations for the scheme and move us closer to the target of a 2017 opening.”
The Garden Bridge, designed by Heatherwick Studio, Dan Pearson Studio and Arup, will create a major new public space and garden in central London. A new charity, the Garden Bridge Trust, has been established to promote and seek funding to build and maintain the new footbridge spanning the Thames from the South Bank to Temple. Transport for London is helping the Trust to develop the project by hosting a consultation on the project and helping to secure the permissions required to build the bridge.
