The video discusses the disparity in river crossing options in London, with the west side having numerous bridges and tunnels, while the east side has limited options, including the congested Blackwall Tunnel and the slow Woolwich Ferry. This is attributed to three main factors: geography, shipping, and lack of demand. Historically, east London was poorer and less populated, making it less of a priority for bridge building. The video also explores past and present plans for new river crossings, including the cancelled Thames Gateway Bridge and the proposed Silvertown Tunnel, which has been met with opposition due to concerns about pollution and congestion.
The video suggests that instead of building more roads, London should focus on creating sustainable and green crossings for rail, trams, cycling, and walking. This approach could encourage people to switch to cleaner modes of transportation and reduce traffic congestion. The video also touches on the potential for the river Thames to be reutilized as a major transportation highway, with examples from other cities like Sydney and Copenhagen.
The video concludes by mentioning the importance of adapting to changing infrastructure needs and exploring new technologies that could make the river Thames a useful highway once again.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The river Thames in London is narrower and easier to build bridges on in the west, but wider and more challenging to build bridges on in the east.
2. The Romans built London Bridge at its current location because it was the widest place they could build it.
3. In the late 19th century, London was the biggest shipping port in the world, making bridge building east of the ports practically impossible.
4. Tower Bridge was an incredible feat of construction and was built at a massive cost due to its iconic location.
5. Historically, east London has been poorer and more sparsely populated than west London, with no rich people to pay tolls and no important people to complain.
6. The Victorians became skilled at digging tunnels and built the first road tunnels in London, including one at Blackwall and one at Rotherhithe.
7. The First and Second World Wars put a stop to all big public projects, and when the wars were over, the money had run out.
8. In the 1970s, plans were proposed for the East London River Crossing, but it was abandoned due to lack of demand and high costs.
9. In 2004, the Mayor of London, Ken Livingston, proposed the Thames Gateway Bridge, a local bridge for local people, but it was met with opposition and eventually scrapped by the next Mayor, Boris Johnson.
10. The Silvertown tunnel is a proposed motor traffic-only tunnel that has been met with opposition due to concerns about pollution and congestion.
11. Public opinion is more anti-car than ever, and there is a growing demand for sustainable transportation options.
12. Seven new rail crossings have appeared across the Thames in the last 25 years, and more are proposed for the future.
13. The Elizabeth line is set to open, providing a new transportation link across the Thames.
14. The river Thames has changed over its history from a major highway to a physical and mental barrier between north and south London.
15. The Thames Clippers are starting to transform from a tourist attraction to a reliable commuter service.
16. There is potential for the river Thames to be put to better use, such as transforming it into a park or using it for sustainable transportation options.