Newham residents who rely on the Royal Victoria Dock footbridge will have to wait until the summer of 2029 for full accessibility, as the lifts are set to remain out of service until then. The news came to light during the Newham Council meeting on 10 November 2025, in response to a public question regarding the long-term closure of the lifts.
The Royal Victoria Dock Footbridge, which links Silvertown with Custom House, has been plagued by lift failures, rendering it inaccessible to many, including those with mobility issues and families with young children. The lifts were initially closed in March 2023 due to prohibitive repair costs.
According to the published response from the council, the Royal Docks Management Authority (RoDMA) owns and maintains the bridge. Despite investing significant sums in repairs over the years, the age and design of the lifts have led to repeated failures and unreliable service.
To address the accessibility issue, the Greater London Authority (GLA) has entered into an agreement with The Silvertown Partnership (TSP), the development consortium delivering Silvertown Quays. Under this agreement, TSP will fund upgrades to the existing bridge. Discussions are underway between the GLA and the developer to unlock this funding to make the bridge accessible again.
In the medium term, a new pedestrian and cycle bridge is planned. In September 2025, the Council's Cabinet agreed to allocate £6.9m of Section 106 funding to support the delivery of this new bridge across the dock. The council will enter into a grant funding agreement with TSP, who will deliver the new crossing. The total estimated cost of the new pedestrian and cycle bridge is £6.9m, which will come from Section 106 funding, according to the Public Question Report.
The new bridge aims to provide a vital north-south link for pedestrians and cyclists, connecting Custom House and Canning Town with Silvertown, West Silvertown, and North Woolwich. It is intended to serve the growing population and improve sustainable travel options across the Opportunity Area.
Construction is expected to start in early 2027, with the bridge opening to the public by summer 2029. Officers are working closely with TSP to accelerate delivery. It is anticipated that a formal agreement on funding, milestones and timelines will be reached by summer 2026. Delivery will also be linked to the wider schemes planning consent and infrastructure works on the south side of the dock. Until then, users of the Royal Victoria Dock footbridge will have to manage without lift access.
