CouncilThe Green Bridge
The canal side path south from the Arts Park rises over the Mile End Road in the Green Bridge also known affectionately as the banana bridge, due to its yellow underside.
From the earliest public consultations which informed the plans to complete the park for the millennium, one of the greatest problems identified with the Park was its fragmentation. A number of major and minor roads and railway viaducts dissected the Park into a series of small areas. In this way, for many people the whole area was not really perceived as one complete Park.
Consequently, an important task for the Park's design team was to look at ways of consolidating the Park as a homogenous unit. An important first step was to design a main Pathway running its entire length, in places linking with the canal towpath. However, when it came to crossing the Mile End Road a more ambitious alternative was sought. At the first community planning weekend for the park in 1995, local resident and architect Piers Gough became very excited by an idea from another resident for a “green bridge” to traverse the Mile End Road. His excitement was turned into reality and today this wide and jolly structure allows trees and grass to grow on top and has created a safe park link for cyclists and pedestrians over a busy road to both sides of Mile End Park.
Underneath the bridge a new hub of shops and restaurants has been created right next to Mile End ,underground station. Here the bridge has created opportunities for visitors to shop for their own picnic or visit a restaurant or café to eat curry, steak or sushi and drink everything from cappuccino to lassi.
Shops and restaurants
Venus in the Park Steak House
552 Mile End Road
London E3
Tel: 020 8983 6001
Zeera Indian Restaurant
554 Mile End Road
E3 4PL
Tel: 020 8983 3975
Matsu Japanese Restaurant
558 Mile End Road
London E3
Tel: 020 8983 6001
Budgens Supermarket
383 – 387 Mile End Road
London E3
Website: www.burgens.co.uk
Tel: 020 8983 3975
Meade Estate Agent
391 Mile End Road
London E3
Tel: 020 8981 3331
Roastars Coffee Shop
389
Mile End Road
E3 4PL
Tel: 020 8983 3137
www.roastars.com
