London’s city council has narrowly approved a motion to keep Blackfriars Bridge open to vehicle access year-round.
The motion passed with an 8-7 vote in what came down to a near-split decision.
Those who voted in favour of the motion including Ward 3 Councilor Peter Cuddy as well as Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis cited the bridge’s importance for relieving downtown traffic congestion and furthered access to downtown businesses as a few of the primary reasons for supporting the motion.
Members who voted against the motion including Mayor Josh Morgan siting the bridge as a primary pedestrian and cycling area and called for a further compromise to be found.
“I think in the past, we’ve had strong opinions on either side of these transportation issues,” says Morgan.
(Credit: City of London) The vote was done by London’s city council at city hall, narrowly passing the motion with an 8-7 vote.
“I think back to Dundas Place and whether or not to close it completely, allow cars, or go with we ended up going with which, for lack of a better term, filtered permeability, was the technical transportation term.”
Morgan continued to say that he would not be supporting the motion, further pushing for a potential rework of the motion if it were to have failed.
“The idea that we would try something different that would allow for some access, but also try to restrict it and provide a different feel to the street.”
One of the members who opposed was Ward 1 Councilor Hadleigh McAlister, who was the member who initially introduced the motion.
“Thinking now of the committee recommendation, I believe that I was wrong and I’m happy to admit that,” says McAlister.
“That’s part of this process. We listen to people make determinations and, from my perspective, I think that this would, as Councilor Trosow said, I think it puts us in the right direction in terms of the vision we want for London.”
The decision comes after a period of discussion and debate from both London councilors and Londoners alike, with many people raising their arguments for either side.
“When moneys were allocated to refurbish the Blackfriars Bridge, I expect it was to benefit the community, the citizens of London,” says local Londoner Susan Flaxman.
“Until there are alternate vehicular routes made available east/west through the centre of London, I strongly believe the bridge should be opened to two-way traffic.”
Some of the other options along with the motion included splitting the season, with the bridge being closed to vehicles for the winter portion of the year when there are fewer vehicles accessing the bridge, as well as an option to close off the bridge to vehicles altogether.
With the vote officially passing, the bridge will remain as it is, providing access to pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles alike all year long.
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