A design competition has been launched for new bridge across the Thames, linking Nine Elms with Pimlico.

Wandsworth Times:

The international competition, launched by Wandsworth Council, challenges architects and engineers to come up with a design for the new river crossing.

The Nine Elms to Pimlico bridge is part of a £1bn transformation of Nine Elms into a well-connected zone one destination.

As well as the bridge there are two new Northern Line tube stops planned, improvements to stations, two riverbus piers and a new network of footpaths, parks and cycle lanes.

About £26m is committed to the bridge project through the development of Nine Elms and the new design would be used to lever-in match funding.

Ravi Govindia, leader of Wandsworth Council and co-chairman of the Nine Elms Vauxhall Partnership, said: "This bridge needs to be designed to the highest quality standards. It must be inspiring, elegant and functional. The conundrum of creating a bridge that can be readily used by cyclists and pedestrians alike, that also provides adequate headroom for river traffic, is at the heart of the challenge.

"The design must also win the hearts and minds of Londoners, particularly the people living in the local area. Developing an inspiring, beautiful design will help us to leverage further funding and take the project to the next stage."

The plan for the design competition comes after a Transport for London feasibility study confirmed the bridge could cost about £40m and carry about 9,000 walkers and 9,000 cyclists a day.