Design work has started on a new 'turn up and go' ferry service between Canary Wharf and Rotherhithe, and a first artist impression has been released by Transport for London (TfL).

A "new rapid ferry service" is being proposed to provide Londoners with an improved link across the Thames, a problem made highlighted by the severe delays which have plagued the Woolwich Ferry.

TfL had previously planned a full walking and cycling bridge, but cancelled the infrastructure project after budget projections soared to nearly five times the original prediction.

Since then, the capital's transport body has been developing a more affordable alternative and have now reached the design phase, leading them to release the first artists impression.

The ferry service will link Canary Wharf and Rotherhithe directly, but also link directly into wider walking and cycling routes in the area.

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Heidi Alexander, deputy mayor of transport at TfL, stated: "This new rapid ferry service between Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf would make it even easier for Londoners to get around the capital by bike or on foot and would bring a boost to businesses in the area.

"It's exciting to see these plans starting to take shape and I look forward to seeing more detailed proposals later in the year."

TfL says it is proposing a "clean, fast ferry service with new specially designed boats and piers," designed to be as fully accessible and as environmentally friendly as practicable.

Design work is also assessing suitable models for construction so "work can commence as quickly as possible," and a second public consultation will be carried out later this summer.

Following the cancellation of the previous plans for a full river crossing, the chair of the London Assembly's Transport Committe, Navin Shah, asked how TfL had gotten its sums so wrong?

In November 2017, the project was estimated to cost between £120-£180 million, but the latest estimate now stands at a whopping £600 million.

As well as requesting further detail on the proposed ferry services, the transport committee has urged TfL to review its business planning process.

Shah AM said: "A ferry service between Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf is a much cheaper alternative, but we have questions over its cost, frequency, commencement of the service and whether it will be free to use.

"This major infrastructure project is key to unlocking this part of east London in terms of active transport links, jobs and homes."

The next stage of design work will assess different operating models for the service, including possible sponsorship and subsidies which could be used to make the service free to customers.

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Alexandra Batey, TfL's director of investment delivery planning, said: "Improving connectivity across the Thames is vital to encourage more people to consider walking and cycling to work or for leisure as well as to support the local economy.

"This new clean ferry service would help link new proposed cycle routes in the area and provide a new level of river crossing accessibility. We look forward to sharing the detailed proposals with the public later this summer."

TfL added that it was working to develop walking and cycling improvements across the boroughs, with new cycle routes being developed between Tower Bridge and Greenwich via Rotherhithe, and new routes between Hackney and the Isle of Dogs.