Little cable cars reaching halfway to London’s stars

Cable cars have been tested high above the River Thames in London on the “Emirates Air Line”.

The cars will be able to carry up to 2,500 people an hour across the river between Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks.

Emirates is sponsoring the Thames crossing in a ten-year deal worth £36 million.

It will provide a direct link between the 02 Arena in Greenwich and the ExCel exhibition centre.

The total cost of the scheme is thought to have been around £60m, with additional funding coming from third-party funding and fare revenue.

Initially, Transport for London estimated the cost for the project would be £25m.

It is anticipated that the cable cars will carry two million passengers a year. Mayor Boris Johnson has said: “Gliding serenely through the air across the Thames will provide a truly sublime, bird’s eye view of our wonderful city.

“This innovative airborne travel link will be a vital component in the ongoing renaissance of a vibrant easterly quarter of the capital, providing a much-needed river crossing.”

ANGUS HOWARTH