Garden Bridge rules ‘are just common sense’

The boss of the Garden Bridge has hit back at critics of the restrictions on public use of the Thames crossing by claiming they are no tougher than the rules in Hyde Park.

Bee Emmott, executive director of the Garden Bridge Trust, told the Standard that the proposed guidelines were “straightforward” and “a matter of common sense.”

She added: “The Garden Bridge will have conditions of use very similar to the Royal Parks and other open spaces in London.

"The conditions are there to keep people safe, and to let them enjoy the water below, the air above and the fantastic selection of five garden glades with over 100,000 new plants and 270 new trees.”

Her comments come ahead of tonight’s meeting of Lambeth’s planning committee, which will vote on approving the rules following a recommendation from officers.

When a proposed list of 30 restrictions, which include bans on kite flying and playing musical instruments, were first published last November opponents said they showed that the Thomas Heatherwick-designed bridge was a “privately managed tourist attraction” rather than a public asset.

Liberal Democrat mayoral candidate Caroline Pidgeon said they were part of “a worrying trend of privatisation of public spaces where the right of private owners trump those of ordinary people”.

Around £60 million of the bridge’s total £175 million budget comes from the public purse, £30 million from Transport for London — including a £20 million loan — and £30 million from the Department for Transport.