Concern over the landing site and design of the new Nine Elms Bridge connecting Wandsworth to Pimlico have been raised by Westminster City Council.
It comes after residents themselves spoke last month of fears over the consultation process.
This week, the council’s cabinet member for sustainability, Cllr Heather Acton, said: "What is clear is that residents in Pimlico have huge concerns over the location and design of a new bridge connecting Pimlico and Nine Elms.
"We are not convinced that these concerns are being addressed."
Though the exact location of the pedestrian and cycle bridge has yet to be decided, the Pimlico Grid Residents’ Association (PGRA) said it had fears the chosen landing space for it will be St George’s Square - one of the last green spaces in the area.
The residents’ group co-chairman, Virginia Forbes, said: “To our knowledge there has been no public consultation of the concept or desirability of a bridge itself, only for the design.
“It has become evident that the chosen landing place for this bridge is likely to be St George’s Square. Are we thus to lose one of the last green, public spaces in Pimlico, used by residents, schools and churches alike?”
A private meeting between Pimlico residents and Wandsworth Council was due to be held on June 3 but was cancelled. But the PGRA was not among those asked to attend.
Cllr Acton continued: “The suggestion that residents are banned from public meetings on a major project right on their doorstep is also concerning.
“Westminster is not against connecting the two banks of the Thames for pedestrians and cyclists, in fact we are very enthusiastic. The location, however, needs far more careful thought, in terms of connectivity and also with regard to cost to the taxpayer.
“We believe that the style of the Golden Jubilee Bridges which connect Westminster to the Southbank could be updated and replicated alongside the existing rail bridge that connects Battersea to Victoria Station.
“This would make an important new pedestrian-cyclist link between homes in Battersea and jobs in Victoria, as well as connecting these residents to one of London’s major transport hubs.”
A spokesman for Wandsworth Council said: “We want to reassure all concerned that no decisions have been made on the landing points or bridge design, and that we acknowledge and understand the concerns raised by riverside communities.
“The aim of the council’s competition is to find a team of world class architects and engineers who can fully explore the options and focus their talents on resolving the complex challenges involved. It is still very early days and we remain fully committed to listening to local people and consulting with them as the project moves ahead.
“This is about creating a safe, sustainable and valuable new transport link for Londoners.”
