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The future of the Garden Bridge project finally looked secure today as Sadiq Khan gave the horticultural oasis his support.

The new mayor, however, said the proposed Thames footbridge would have to be more accessible to all Londoners in return.

His announcement lifts a shadow from the £175 million project - a landscaped crossing created by Olympic cauldron designer Thomas Heatherwick.

It will allow tourists and Londoners to stroll over the Thames between Westminster and Lambeth among flowerbeds, shrubs and trees.

Mr Khan’s demands include the Garden Bridge to be closed for fewer than the planned 12 days each year for private fundraising events.

Garden Bridge 6 show all Garden Bridge 1/6 An artist's impression of the Garden Bridge New bridge: Garden Bridge walkway view over River Thames (Picture: Arup) 2/6 How the 'skin' of the bridge will look Special skin: the copper-nickel alloy is a key element of the design (Picture: EPA) 3/6 A bridge over the Thames Support: An artist's impression of the Garden Bridge over the Thames 4/6 Visionaries: Joanna Lumley and Thomas Heatherwick Dave Benett 5/6 U-turner: Lib Peck of Lambeth Council 6/6 A new park for central London 1/6 An artist's impression of the Garden Bridge New bridge: Garden Bridge walkway view over River Thames (Picture: Arup) 2/6 How the 'skin' of the bridge will look Special skin: the copper-nickel alloy is a key element of the design (Picture: EPA) 3/6 A bridge over the Thames Support: An artist's impression of the Garden Bridge over the Thames 4/6 Visionaries: Joanna Lumley and Thomas Heatherwick Dave Benett 5/6 U-turner: Lib Peck of Lambeth Council 6/6 A new park for central London

It would be also shut for the minimum number of hours possible, rather than all day. The events are to pay for the £2 million upkeep of the crossing, which is underwritten by the public purse.

He called for a guarantee that local school children would be involved in planting and maintenance and there would be a rolling programme of visits.

The Garden Bridge Trust should also develop a strong working relationship with parks across London, exchanging seeds and plants.

It comes days after the future of the crossing was again put in doubt after the Mayor began investigating Boris Johnson’s role in the procurement process.

He today criticised his predecessor’s administration, saying the early days of the controversial project “clearly fell short” of expectations on transparency.

The new administration at City Hall has published the full business plan for the Garden Bridge as well as a list of its funders.

Mr Khan said: “The Garden Bridge could rival New York’s High Line but it must be a genuinely public and open space for all Londoners, rather than a closed and private space.

“I am determined to run the most open and transparent administration London has ever seen. I will let the sunshine in, which is why we are today publishing the previously undisclosed full business plan for the Garden Bridge alongside a list of its funders.”

The documents confirm the project has received £60 million in public funds - including £30 million from the Treasury and £30 million from Transport for London - although TfL will get £20 million of its money back.

More than £33 million was donated by companies, including £5 million from Sky and £2 million from Citigroup, another £38 million from trusts and foundations, including £20 million from the Sainsbury family’s Monument Trust, and £11 million from individuals.

A total of £143 million has been raised so far, leaving around £50 million to go.

The project has faced criticism, including from the National Audit Office and the London Assembly, over public funding and the procurement process.

Mr Khan came out against it last September - describing it as a “white elephant” that did not represent value for money - and proposed scrapping it.

Just weeks later it was saved in an 11th hour deal that slashed £20 million from the cost to the capital’s tax payers. But Mr Khan then told a private meeting he would review the project if elected.

A spokeswoman for the Garden Bridge Trust said: “We welcome the Mayor’s support and look forward to working with him and his team to make the beautiful Garden Bridge happen and deliver its many benefits to millions of Londoners and visitors to the city.

“We share the Mayor’s desire to have the Bridge open to everyone for as long as possible. Balancing this and the need to raise the required private funds to operate the Bridge is important.”

A spokesman for Mr Johnson said: "Mr Khan is wrong again - his own Commissioner for Transport declared he was completely satisfied that the procurement process around the Garden Bridge was completely transparent.

"The project has massive support from Londoners - it's good to know the Mayor has at the last minute realised this and declared he too likes it."