BARRIERS - SONIC INTERVENTION
12th December 2023,
Location: Fish Island, London
Material : Headphones, SmartGuide CMS app, GPS Triggers
Monier Road bridge has undergone notable changes over time, particularly during the 2012 London Olympics. That year, the bridge received planning approval for conversion into a road bridge under the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), sparking strong opposition from the local community. Protesters criticized the plan for prioritizing vehicular traffic over cyclists and pedestrians, warning of increased noise, pollution, and safety risks—especially on match days at West Ham Stadium. A petition with over 700 signatures and letters to the Mayor of London reflected widespread public resistance.
As a symbolic act of protest, large concrete barriers were installed to block the bridge, serving as both a physical obstruction and a statement against the LLDC’s development agenda. These barriers remained in place until 2023, shaping public perception and altering movement patterns. Pedestrians and cyclists instinctively slowed down at the site, revealing how spatial interventions can subtly control behavior. This dynamic is explored through a sonic mapping of the site, examining the relationship between sound, movement, and the traces of urban resistance.
In addition to the concrete barriers that blocked access to Monier Road Bridge, traffic signs and nearby bus stops were deliberately concealed under rubbish bags to prevent use of the crossing. However, in late November 2023, the bridge was partially reopened as a result of community pressure and compromise—allowing access only to buses and cyclists, while prohibiting general car traffic. The concrete barriers were removed, but fragments and remnants of their presence remain, along with the echoes of a long-standing public struggle.
Sonic Intervention - Sound Walk
Material: Headphones, GPS triggers, SmartGuide CMS app
This sonic intervention seeks to uncover those layered histories through sound. As participants traverse the 180-meter bridge, they encounter five key points that mark the protest’s spatial memory: the locations of the former barriers, blocked traffic signs, closed bus stops, protest sites dating back to 2016, and the final closure signage at the opposite end.
The soundwalk begins at the intersection of Monier Road Bridge and Roach Road, using the SmartGuide CMS app and headphone. The app’s GPS feature guides visitors along the path and triggers site-specific sounds in real time. As each of the five points is reached, participants are immersed in a soundscape that reveals historical shifts, spatial tensions, and community resistance. The sonic intervention highlights the enduring voice and resilience of local residents, offering a reflection on how public action can influence urban planning—both in the past and moving into the future.
