London bridge charity faces criticism over grants and shifting priorities
The City Bridge Foundation, a 700-year-old charity responsible for maintaining five Thames bridges, has issued a new mission statement focused on social justice, diversity and climate action. The article argues that this represents a shift away from its bridge-maintenance role, at a time when several London bridges face closure or repair problems.
The foundation has £1.5 billion in investments and says its main purpose is maintaining the bridges in its care, with grants to charities as an ancillary role. The article cites grants of £1 million to Spectra CIC and £1.5 million to Race On The Agenda, and says £1.2 million went to the Muslim Charities Forum, which it describes as having alleged links to Hamas. It also notes that the City of London Corporation is the foundation’s trustee and appoints its board.
In short
- The foundation has £1.5 billion in investments.
- Its new mission statement emphasises social justice and climate action.
- The article questions its grants as London bridges need repairs.
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The case for
A broad mission on social justice, diversity and climate action can be a legitimate way for a historic charity to address present-day needs, while grants extend its public benefit beyond maintaining bridges. With £1.5 billion invested, supporters may argue that funding community organisations is a responsible use of its resources, provided bridge upkeep remains secure and grants are properly assessed. The trustee’s oversight and board appointments offer a route for accountability.
The case against
The foundation’s defining public responsibility is to maintain the bridges entrusted to it, and Londoners may reasonably expect that duty to take priority when bridges face repair problems or closure risks. A new mission and substantial grants to outside groups could raise concerns about whether resources and attention are drifting from that core purpose, especially where a recipient is described as having alleged links to Hamas. Because the City of London Corporation is trustee and appoints the board, critics may also seek clear scrutiny of grant decisions and the foundation’s priorities.
Explained simply
City Bridge Foundation is a historic charity that maintains five Thames bridges in London. It also gives grants to other charities, funded by investments worth about £1.5 billion; it says bridge maintenance is its main purpose and grant-making is an additional role.
The City of London Corporation acts as the foundation’s trustee and appoints its board. The foundation’s new mission statement highlights social justice, diversity and climate action, prompting questions about how it sets grant priorities alongside its bridge responsibilities.
The debate matters because the bridges are important parts of London’s transport network, while the foundation’s grants support organisations working on social issues. The cited grants, including one to the Muslim Charities Forum, have drawn scrutiny; the article describes alleged links to Hamas, a claim that should be distinguished from an established finding.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “ROBERT HARDMAN: What would the medieval monks who founded charity to safeguard London’s bridges think as it squanders millions on trans rights… and even a group with alleged links to Hamas?”.