A319
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 150; Flight Crew Total 10000; Flight Crew Type 5000
Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Procedure
We were on the bridge visual to RWY 29 at EWR; fully configured; descending through 800-900 feet MSL; turning toward the runway only about three miles from touchdown. We had been cleared for landing many miles before. At that point Tower told us to turn east toward the statue of liberty (reversing direction); and told us to be aware of multiple VFR targets; as we were at low altitude. They apparently had a spacing issue with traffic landing on 4R; so sent us on a perilous low altitude uncontrolled excursion toward Manhattan. We leveled off and reduced our flap setting while doing as directed. After several miles they cleared us to turn back toward the runway and continue the approach. Newark apparently doesn't have proper contingency plans for close spacing; as this was a dangerous thing to do. We could have collided with VFR traffic or a tower; or we could have been seen as a threat to Manhattan breaking off the approach and turning toward the city. We could have also gotten slow leveling and making a hard turn while fully configured.
A319 First Officer flying the Bridge Visual to Runway 29 at EWR is instructed to fly 'east' as the aircraft is turning toward CHUMR. A spacing problem had apparently developed with traffic landing on Runway 22.