After the announcement by the Garden Bridge Trust that they have abandoned their plans ​for a pedestrian crossing between South Bank and Temple. Sir Robin Wales Mayor of Newham is calling on the Greater London Authority to create a river crossing in east London.

The Garden Bridge Trust has blamed a lack of support from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan for the failure of the project, and the charity will now be wound up.

Sir Robin Wales said: “Sometimes in politics you have to make tough, contentious decisions. Sadiq Khan was right to pull support for the Garden Bridge because it has been an unwelcome distraction from the more pressing need for investment in additional river crossings east of Tower Bridge.”

So far £50 million has been spent on the pedestrian crossing and of that Sir Robin said: “It is absurd that £50million has been wasted by this Conservative government on a vanity project in a part of London which already has a roaring business and tourist trade.”

He continued: “Large employers and international investors have made their intentions clear that they want to move to east London to take advantage of the cheaper real estate and the burgeoning tourist trade arising around Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

“TfL has strong and clear evidence that a road crossing at Gallions Reach is the best option for tackling congestion and supporting the current and future economy in this part of London.

“Now the Garden Bridge is out of the way, plans for additional river crossings in east London must be prioritised to further unlock potential around the Royal Docks and London Riverside and secure the extra financial boost for the capital.”