The East Thames area has the potential to deliver the next wave of London’s expansion and growth. But, despite huge public investment, the area has consistently failed to deliver on policy makers ambitions for employment or housing growth.

Centre for London research has identified the lack of cross-river connectivity as one of the key constraints on housing growth and economic development in the area. There are 16 road bridges on the 20 miles of the river west of Tower Bridge but only one major crossing and two low-capacity tunnels on the equivalent stretch to the east. This lack of road crossings also means that the bus networks north and south of the river remain separated by the river, severely limiting public transport connectivity. The river currently acts as a barrier to north-south movement and to the economic revitalisation of the area.

In spring 2014 Centre for London set up the Commission on East Thames Crossings to put together a plan for unifying East London through the development of new river crossings. Chaired by Andrew Adonis, the commission includes architects, planners, housing and transport experts, local government and business representatives and former ministers from both the Labour and Conservative parties. What unites the commissioners is the desire to unlock the huge potential of the East Thames area by connecting the communities on the north and south banks.

Join us for the launch event for the Commission’s report, Linking London, which provides a politically and financially robust programme of new crossing construction. Join the conversation on twitter: #LinkingLondon