The Mayor of Southwark Cllr Althea Smith and cabinet member for transport, environment and recycling Cllr Barrie Hargrove have officially opened the new Irwell Garden Space.

Located on the corner of Albion Street and Neptune Street, the project was awarded Cleaner Greener Safer funding by the former Rotherhithe Community Council in September 2011.

The space was redesigned in consultation with the Irwell Estate Community, local businesses and Albion Street Steering Group to create a more open, safer area with clearer views through to the playground and over Albion Street and St Olav’s Church.

The transformation included new paving with a nautical centrepiece design, four new single seats and four newly planted trees with further shrub and grasses.

Cllr Barrie Hargrove said: “This sort of project is exactly what the Cleaner Greener Safer funding was designed for. We hope users of the garden space will now enjoy this pleasant and calming area for years to come.”