Transport for London is seeking a sponsor for the Rotherhithe tunnel roundabout.
MarketForce has applied to Southwark Council for advertisement consent to erect four sponsorship signs on the roundabout.
Plans for a wider revamp of the junction are due to be revealed this autumn.
Pupils from a Bermondsey school have interviewed Jeremy Paxman as part of the BBC’s School Report project.
As the BBC begins a four-year commemoration of the centenary of World War One, presenter and journalist Jeremy Paxman explains to a group of School Reporters from St Michael’s Catholic College, south London about why he thinks the conflict was so significant.
via School Report – Jeremy Paxman explains the significance of World War One.
Earlier this month Boris Johnson published his draft ‘Further Alterations to the London Plan‘ – including a proposal to designate Canada Water as an ‘opportunity area’ for further major development.
Under current planning policy, Canada Water is deemed to be an ‘intensification area’.
The Mayor proposes to increase the house-building target for the area from 2,500 to 3,300 homes.
The proposed text of the new policy says:
Subject to retail demand Canada Water may evolve to become a major town centre in the network and the scope for a substantial increase in the minimum new homes target and employment capacity should be explored. There is also potential to develop a new science cluster linked to an academic institution (King’s College).
The Mayor of London said: “London is the greatest place in the world in which to live, work and do business.
“As the capital continues to flourish over the next few years, we will need to create over half a million new jobs and a million more people will have to be housed.
“That’s why it is crucial that we plan strategically for the future, to ensure we have a cleaner, greener, safer city that abounds opportunity, talent and economic activity.”
Thames Tunnel Mills in Rotherhithe was the setting for the fourth heat of the BBC’s Great Interior Design Challenge, shown on BBC Two on Thursday night.
You can watch the programme on iPlayer until Thursday 13 February.
Blue Anchor library in Bermondsey is being refurbished this spring, with self-service book issuing and return facilities and an improved layout.
Cllr Veronica Ward, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport, Libraries and Volunteering said: “It is so important for us to do all we can to support all of our libraries by not only keeping them open as we have pledged, but also investing in them to ensure local residents can get the most out of them.”
“While many of our larger libraries in Southwark have been going from strength to strength in recent years, we also want to pay tribute to the wonderful work done in some of our smaller ones such as the beautiful library in Kingswood House and thelibraries at Nunhead and of course Blue Anchor.
“They are a much loved feature of their local communities and we want to do all we can to ensure their future.”
The formal consultation period on the proposal to create a neighbourhood plan for Rotherhithe & Surrey Docks has now opened.
See the Southwark Council website for details.
Members of Bermondsey & Rotherhithe Community Council will be asked to comment on the proposals at this week’s meeting.
Southwark Council has announced plans to invest £676,000 into the refurbishment of the South Dock Marina. The funding will go towards structural improvements to the 203 year old dock which is home to 130 residential boats.
Locally, the marina helps to generate revenue to maintain the surrounding water channels and waterways.
The refurbishment programme includes:
Cllr Barrie Hargrove, cabinet member for transport, environment and recycling, said: “We are glad to be able to deliver this essential programme of improvements to the South Dock Marina. The new developments mean that users and residents in the area will rightly be able to enjoy an enhanced and safer experience at London’s largest marina.”
This week Southwark councillors of all parties unanimously backed a motion calling on the council to name a new public building after Bermondsey resident Grace Jones who died last year at the age of 113.
“Grace Jones led a long and remarkable life, which should be noted with a fitting tribute by Southwark Council, said Cllr Eliza Mann (Lib Dem, Riverside ward).
“Naming a public building after her would be a mark of respect for somebody who lived through the whole of the 20th century and beyond, and was one of the best-known residents of our borough.”
Cllr Norma Gibbes asked this question at council assembly this week:
What progress is the council making with plans for the regeneration of Albion Street?
Cllr Fiona Colley, cabinet member for regeneration and corporate strategy, replied:
We have been working in partnership with the local community, in particular the Albion Street Steering Group to significantly progress the regeneration of Albion Street.
To date a number of public realm work packages have been completed at various sites along the street. Also, power points have been installed along the western section of the street that will be used for street markets.
A number of larger scale initiatives are also in train:
- The procurement of architects to build the replacement of the Albion Street Primary School has commenced. The new building is programmed to be in place by September 2016.
- We are coming towards the end of a compulsory purchase order (CPO) process in relation to the former public toilets that have been an eyesore and potential health and safety risk for several years.
- Once the public toilets have been acquired, they will be incorporated into a new pocket park that will be built in front of the Norwegian Church. Officers are in detailed discussions with the church to include their land in the new facility and for the church to make a contribution towards the cost of this new piece of public realm.
- Work to create a popup shop is nearing completion and the property will soon be let. The shop will be available on a short term basis to community groups, cultural organisations and business start-ups.
- The former Rotherhithe Library has been included in phase 2 of the Housing Direct Delivery programme and the design proposal will include community or commercial space on the ground floor.
- Discussions are ongoing with the Albion Street Surgery to assist them to find a new home and move out of their current, not-fit-for-purpose facility. The preferred option at the moment is to relocate the surgery into the ground floor of the redeveloped Rotherhithe Library site.
- Court action is underway to complete the purchase of three dilapidated and unsightly houses, 71, 73 and 75 Albion Street. Once we have control of the houses the site will be brought back into beneficial use.
Cllr Eliza Mann (Lib Dem) tabled the following question at this week’s council assembly:
What meetings has the cabinet member had with Transport for London (TfL) about reconfiguring Rotherhithe roundabout to help ease traffic congestion around Jamaica Road?
Cllr Barrie Hargrove (Labour), cabinet member for transport, environment and recycling, replied:
Can I thank the member for raising with me. I am aware of that concern with congestion problems related to the Rotherhithe roundabout and Jamaica Road are longstanding, going back very many years.
Officers have been in dialogue with Transport for London (TfL) for some time in relation to congestion and access issues at the Rotherhithe roundabout. Topics under discussion range from improvements to traffic management at the tunnel entrance to reduce delays, provision for Cycle Superhighway Route 4 (CS4) and measures to better separate local and through traffic.
A number of meetings have been held over the last 12 months and TfL have presented a number of initial options for comment. It is expected that proposals will be brought forward for public consultation as part of the wider consultation on CS4 which is currently scheduled for autumn 2014.