The final piece in the jigsaw of a riverside path through the City of London has been put in place – completing the route through the Square Mile.
The covered section of the Thames Path under the Globe View apartment block has reopened for the first time in over 20 years, complete with refurbished brickwork, new lighting and ‘Instagrammable’ views of iconic riverside landmarks.
The work by the City of London Corporation also uncovered a Victorian cast iron pillar dating back to the site’s former use as a riverside warehouse where furs and leather goods were stored.
The Thames Path previously diverted inland at Queenhithe before a riverside section there was opened last year by the developers of the new Westin London City Hotel. Reopening the section under Globe View provides the final link in the chain.
City of London Corporation Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee Chairman Graham Packham said:
“The reopening of this section of path means for the first time, people have a clear, unhindered riverside route through the City, connecting up world famous landmarks such as the Tower and St Paul’s.
“The work, which has created an attractive riverside space and uncovered long-hidden original Victorian features, provides a boost to our Destination City ambition to enhance the Square Mile’s status as a seven-day-a-week visitor destination.”
The City Corporation remodelled the covered walkway’s brickwork, removing obstructive buttresses and ledges and unveiling the previously forgotten pillar, which has been painted in the same burgundy colour as the nearby Blackfriars Bridge.
New bespoke metalwork has been installed along with coloured lighting, the movement of which co-ordinates with the flow and direction of the tides of the river.
Meanwhile, the view of landmarks including the Globe Theatre, Tate Modern and Millennium Bridge has been opened up.
The section of walkway was declared open by Brian Mooney, who represents the City Corporation ward of Queenhithe and has long campaigned for the final sections of the Thames Path in the City to be completed.
City of London Corporation member Brian Mooney said:
“This finally completes the Thames Path in the City of London, allowing people to walk along an uninterrupted route from Temple Gardens to Tower Bridge, and giving the City an unbroken section of that magnificent 185-mile trail along the River Thames to London from its source in Gloucestershire.”
The project was completed by lead architects Rivington Street Studio, main contractor JB Riney and lighting designer FPOV.
