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Mayor: ‘no plans’ for NY High Line-style park at Bricklayers Arms

London SE1 website team

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has given a non-committal response to suggestions that the Bricklayers Arms flyover could be converted into an elevated park similar to the High Line in New York.

Bricklayers Arms flyover

The Conservative Mayor has responded to a question tabled by Liberal Democrat London Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon asking him whether he would consider such a plan for Bricklayers Arms.

"Transport for London has no plans to convert the Bricklayers Arms flyover in to an elevated park such as a New York-style High Line," said the Mayor.

"However, I am aware of the impact such flyovers can have on the local environment in terms of public realm, air quality, safety, reduced severance and have asked my road task force to investigate ways in which these impacts could be reduced. Their report to me is due in the spring.

Caroline Pidgeon AM said: "The flyover is an historic eyesore. In the long term I would welcome its removal, but in the short term I certainly welcome the Mayor's commitment to ensure his environment team look at improving the local environment, including tackling air pollution."

Last year a proposal by local architects Bell Phillips to wrap the flyover in a "biodiversity overcoat" whilst keeping it open to traffic was shortlisted in the High Line for London competition run by the Landscape Institute and the Garden Museum.

In 2010 Ms Pidgeon pressed the Mayor to consider filling in the pedestrian subways at the junction.

Four years ago a conceptual scheme which involved turning the flyover into a pedestrian bridge was exhibited at a London gallery.

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