Garden Bridge Trust claims Sadiq WILL give maintenance guarantee

Writing in the trust's winter newsletter, Bee Emmott says: "The Mayor has given assurance that he has no objection to providing the required maintenance guarantee once he is satisfied with our operational fundraising plans."

Last week Mr Khan reiterated his oft-stated but seemingly contradictory position that he won't sign the guarantee unless he is convinced that it won't be called on.

The Mayor's stance was branded "illogical and irreconcilable" by Liberal Democrat assembly member Caroline Pidgeon.

Under the terms of planning permission for the bridge, the trust must demonstrate that it has a guarantor for the estimated £3.5 million a year maintenance costs if fundraising efforts fall short.

Ms Emmott also says that the trust is "making good progress with arrangements for land on the south side of the river" with Lambeth Council and Coin Street Community Builders.

The newsletter claims that the trust intends to start construction of the bridge during 2017.