Residents urged to have their say on a new bridge between Hackney Wick and Fish Island

An impression of what the new bridge would look like. Image: LLDC

Residents are being urged to share their views on walking and cycling routes near the Olympic Park.

The London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) wants to replace the Roach Point Bridge over the Hertford Union Canal.

The work is likely to take 11 months, if it gets the green light from the planning authority.

It is hoped a new bridge will improve transport links between Hackney Wick train station and Fish Island for pedestrians and cyclists.

The area near the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is set to be transformed over the next few years as part of the Hackney Wick masterplan, which includes 190 new homes.

According to the LLDC’s local plan: “Hackney Wick and Fish Island has the potential to become a diverse location, driving a significant element of business and employment growth, alongside the delivery of new homes, open spaces, education and community facilities.”

It is earmarked as a base for 5,000 jobs – many of them in creative industries – and the LLDC wants to improve access.

A spokeswoman for LLDC said: “The replacement footbridge will increase safety in the area and will be well lit, and users will no longer need to walk along the towpath. This design aims to create a more direct route between Hackney Wick Station and Fish Island.”

A planning application is likely to be submitted in December and work could get underway in February next year.

Residents and people who work in and commute to the area can share their views at a drop-in session from 5pm to 8pm on Thursday 27 October at Hub 67 on Rothbury Road.

There is another session from 5pm to 8pm on Tuesday 1 November at Two More Years Studio on Roach Road.