Proposal for 1.1km crossing now goes to Mayor for approval

Greenwich Council has approved plans for a cable car across the River Thames in east London.

The crossing, for Transport for London, will stretch 1.1km between North Greenwich and the Royal Victoria Dock, linking two of the 2012 Olympic Games venues – ExCel and the O2.

The proposal, designed by architects Wilkinson Eyre, was approved by Newham Council last month and will now go before the Greater London Authority for consideration.

The green light from the council comes despite criticism from Cabe, which warned the cable car would not be able to cope with peak-time passenger demand.

In a design review issued in January, Cabe also questioned the design of the two stations and expressed concern over the location of the one on the north bank.

However, it praised the towers – which will carry the cars as high as 54m over the river – as “exciting, elegant and original”.