WORK has started on the £50m Thames cable car project which will connect Greenwich to Newham.

Digging for the foundations of the two stations, one on the Greenwich Peninsula and the other in Victoria Dock, began today (July 7).

Scheduled for completion in July next year, the cars will run 50m above the river, carrying up to 2,500 people an hour.

The scheme will link the O2 Arena in Greenwich with the Excel exhibition centre across the river.

In order to get the link off the ground TfL has agreed to provide the upfront costs for the project.

It will recover its costs from a range of sources including the appointed commercial partner, fare revenue and advertising.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “This stunning new landmark will cut existing journey times, link two popular destinations and draw visitors from across the globe.”