Johnson said that plans for the US$800 million bridge will not be progressed. He cited his concerns about objections that had been raised at the scheme's public inquiry, a funding gap and issues to do with location and environmental impact. The issues have "compounded the Mayor's view that the proposal is not the right one, particularly in light of the consistent local opposition to the scheme" said the statement.

The bridge was to have been in East London, connecting Beckton to Thamesmead. It had been intended to support regeneration and make it easier to travel to and around the area.

The British government had written to Transport for London in July 2007 announcing that a decision on the construction of the bridge had been deferred.