The internet is all a-buzz right now with the recent announcement of a proposed Urban Gondola system spanning the Thames River in East London for the 2012 Olympics.

Nevermind the fact that everyone seems to be calling it the London Cable Car – it’s a gondola – it’s an exciting idea that’s raising a lot of eyebrows:

• The Daily Mail – “Capable of carrying up to 2,500 passengers an hour in each direction, the (gondola) would travel at a height of more than 50 metres.”
• The Londonist – “Building a (gondola) with panoramic views of the capital would be a huge hit, instantly providing east London witha  conspicuous tourist attraction.”
• Bloomberg Businessweek – “The consultation process for the project, to be financed by private investment, opens tomorrow and closes Aug. 2, according to Transport for London.”
• Luvthecity.com – “Transport for London have released a basic map showing the proposed route, but today we show you the exact location of the two proposed cable car stations.”
• Skyscrapercity.com (forum) – “Well yes but that’s it isn’t it. They’re for steep areas with difficult terrain. aka not London.”
• The Guardian – “Transport for London is in talks with a number of potential operators. It will carry cyclists as well as pedestrians.”
• London Reconnections – “Whether it proceeds or not, however, it at least shows that some thought is taking place into what can be completed relatively fast and relatively cheaply to alleviate the current issues that abound when trying to cross the Thames to the east.”

There’s much to say about this proposal. Stay tuned.