Reconnecting the Links: how to reconnect people with the river and with nature is a landscape project that aims to transform the Thames Riverside in London from Chelsea Bridge to Vauxhall Bridge. The project aims to address the issues of pedestrian and cycle accessibility to the riverside walk from tube stations, improving the interaction with the river while enhancing biodiversity with introduction of the Living Shorelines concept.
With diversion of private vehicular traffic from the riverside Grosvenor Road to internal roads, air and noise pollution will be reduced. Grosvenor Road will be accessible only for pedestrian, cyclist and public transport to reduce pollution pressures. Enhanced walks along the living shoreline will help users to enjoy a continuous riverside experience to help improving mental wellbeing in the wake of the pandemic. The redeveloped area will provide gathering spaces for the urban community, picnic areas, fishing points, spaces for relaxation, water-stepped plazas, piers and viewing galleries for lookout.
Ecological conditions will be enhanced by connecting existing open spaces near the river bank by allowing water to come inside the open spaces and by using the tidal zones for creating interactive spaces. The incorporation of floating wetlands near the mouth of underground rivers, canals and sewage release points will help to filter the water and to eventually improve the water quality and biodiversity.
