Sadiq Khan backs the Garden Bridge... but says it must be made an open space for all Londoners

The future of the Garden Bridge project finally looked secure today as Sadiq Khan gave the horticultural oasis his support.

The new mayor, however, said the proposed Thames footbridge would have to be more accessible to all Londoners in return.

His announcement lifts a shadow from the £175 million project - a landscaped crossing created by Olympic cauldron designer Thomas Heatherwick.

It will allow tourists and Londoners to stroll over the Thames between Westminster and Lambeth among flowerbeds, shrubs and trees.

Mr Khan’s demands include the Garden Bridge to be closed for fewer than the planned 12 days each year for private fundraising events.

It would be also shut for the minimum number of hours possible, rather than all day. The events are to pay for the £2 million upkeep of the crossing, which is underwritten by the public purse.

He called for a guarantee that local school children would be involved in planting and maintenance and there would be a rolling programme of visits.

The Garden Bridge Trust should also develop a strong working relationship with parks across London, exchanging seeds and plants.

It comes days after the future of the crossing was again put in doubt after the Mayor began investigating Boris Johnson’s role in the procurement process.

He today criticised his predecessor’s administration, saying the early days of the controversial project “clearly fell short” of expectations on transparency.

The new administration at City Hall has published the full business plan for the Garden Bridge as well as a list of its funders.

Mr Khan said: “The Garden Bridge could rival New York’s High Line but it must be a genuinely public and open space for all Londoners, rather than a closed and private space.

“I am determined to run the most open and transparent administration London has ever seen. I will let the sunshine in, which is why we are today publishing the previously undisclosed full business plan for the Garden Bridge alongside a list of its funders.”

The documents confirm the project has received £60 million in public funds - including £30 million from the Treasury and £30 million from Transport for London - although TfL will get £20 million of its money back.

More than £33 million was donated by companies, including £5 million from Sky and £2 million from Citigroup, another £38 million from trusts and foundations, including £20 million from the Sainsbury family’s Monument Trust, and £11 million from individuals.