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TOURIST TAX COULD HELP SAVE THE STRUGGLING ARTS SECTOR IN LONDON
Total
local authority spending on arts and culture per head nationally fell by 50 per cent between 2010 and 2021
By Noah Vickers Local Democracy Reporter
PRESSURE GREW on Thursday for the Government to allow Sir Sadiq Khan to impose a tourist tax on overnight visitors to London, as a leading think tank argued it could help revitalise arts and culture in the capital.
In a new report, the Centre for London warns that the city’s creative industries are in peril, as total local authority spending on arts and culture per head nationally fell by 50 per cent between 2010 and 2021.
As well as urging ministers to restore arts funding to local government to 2010 levels in real terms, and to introduce a national Arts Pass for under-25s, the think tank has called on the Government to “allow the Greater London Authority (GLA) to explore the implementation of a Tourist Tax to help invest in London’s arts and cultural scene”.
It comes after Sir Sadiq voiced his support for a tourist tax at Mayor’s Question Time last month, as he said most tourists in Europe “don’t really mind paying the extra few euros”, which is typically added on to hotel bills in cities like Paris, Berlin and Amsterdam.
The Government said in response to the mayor’s comments: “There are currently no plans to introduce a tourism tax in England. Places can already choose to introduce a levy on overnight stays through the Accommodation Business Improvement District model.”
The Centre for London’s new report, Arts for All, was launched at a panel discussion at the Barbican arts centre on Thursday.
Shonagh Manson, the GLA’s assistant director of culture and creative industries, told the event: “This is a really important conversation right now, and something that our team have been researching and case-making for, for the last seven years if not longer, which seems to have come to its
moment, in a way.
“This is the idea that visitors to a city pay a small percentage or amount extra on their hotel bill basically and that creates a pot of money that then gets reinvested.
“That happens in different ways in cities internationally. It’s also happening either through local legislation or through voluntary levies in different places across the UK… We’ve been talking about that in London for a long time.
“Just to get technical though, in order to do that properly, you would need national legislation in England, so the GLA can’t do it on its own…
“The mayor has come out very clearly in favour of a national legislative change as
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part of the [new] devolution settlement, but I think it’s our job – collectively – to make the case for that to go to culture. That is not a given.”
The mayor said in his remarks last month that his “promise” to the capital’s hospitality industry would be that “the money would be used… to encourage more tourists” to London.
Rob Anderson, the Centre for London’s research director, said: “London’s arts and culture is at the heart of what it means to be a Londoner. It’s central to why many people choose to live in the capital.
“And yet, not all Londoners get to enjoy our city’s world-class arts and culture offer.
We need to break down the barriers which prevent Londoners – from all ages, walks of
life and socio-economic backgrounds – from taking advantage of our amazing arts and culture scene.
“We’ve seen great work to broaden engagement from our arts institutions in recent years. But reductions in funding have made it harder for London’s arts sector to offer the kinds of affordable, local and convenient offerings that Londoners want and that widen participation. We need to re-invest in our arts, to safeguard London’s continued cultural success and ensure that more Londoners can benefit from the city’s world-class offer.”
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, has been approached for comment on the Centre for London’s report.
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Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson gave a speech at Mulberry Academy Shoreditch.
THIS PUB IS THE ONLY ONE IN LONDON THAT SERVES BEER TO ITS PUNTERS AT 6AM!
By Evie Flynn
THE MARKET Porter Pub in Borough is still standing as one of London’s two remaining ‘early houses’.
The historic pub is nestled on Stoney Street, next Borough Market, and opens at 6am Monday-Friday.
Tony Sommerville has been General Manager at the Market Porter for 19 years. We asked if the people coming in for a pint at the crack of dawn varied:
“You get all sorts,” he said. “Mostly night shift workers, train workers, nurses and ambulance drivers who work through the night, police, press cutters. All walks of life, really.”
He added they get “the odd one or two on their way to work, but each to their own.”
The Market Porter first opens it doors at 6am, before closing them again at 9am.
The only other early house is the Fox & Anchor at Smithfields Market, which opens to punters at 7am.
Tony then has an hour to do deliveries and get the barrels onto the road before opening properly for the day at 10am.
Stoney Street has been home to the pub since the 1600s, and The Market Porter, first named in 1890, has long been a hub for those working unconventional hours.
The pub has strong roots in Borough market’s history. It was originally a popular spot for market traders finishing
their shifts in the early morning or even starting their shifts and unloading goods on Stoney Street.
Some workers even received their wages over a pint, with business deals often being struck over a drink, whether they were selling horses, sheep, or other goods.
Despite restrictions imposed during World War I to conserve grain and keep soldiers sober, market pubs were exempted, as they were seen as essential
for business dealings.
Tony explained that “obviously the market changed a lot now, it’s not so much wholesale. Not too many tourists are trying to buy a leg of lamb… but they would buy a lamb burger. There’s a few places still doing wholesale but over the years it’s just died away.”
The future of the 6am openings is reliant on the demand. Tony said that “It was busy back in the day when the jubilee line was being built… it was
The SE15 singing classes uplifting mums feeling low after having a baby
the mornings we have banter, jokes, and can hear about peoples weekends. It’s a lot friendlier as you have a bit more time.”
packed. It took us a while to re-open the 6am after COVID just because it wasn’t busy enough and staffing. But we are slowly building it back up.
“It is a family.. it feels a bit more personal. You get the banter and know peoples names. Because we are so busy a lot of the time so you recognise faces but you don’t get a chance to talk to them.”
Asked how this compares to the atmosphere later in the day he said: “It is a family.. it feels a bit more personal. In
By Isabel Ramirez
A UNIQUE singing programme in Peckham is giving mums a muchneeded mood boost, helping them feel less alone and more connected in the weeks after giving birth.
Breathe Melodies for Mums is a ten-week programme run by not-forprofit organisation Breathe Arts Health Research, designed specifically to support mothers’ mental health and wellbeing through group singing. It is funded by Southwark Council’s Family Hubs and Start for Life initiative.
Unlike traditional baby-focused activities, these sessions are for mums— offering an uplifting, stigma-free space where they can connect with others through music.
Shanice, a mum of six from Peckham, was referred to the programme after a questionnaire flagged that she was feeling low. She attends the sessions with her baby, Zakai.
“I went through a bit of depression and then I got pregnant. Zakai helped me through it, but the doctor wanted me to have people around me so I wouldn’t feel alone,” she told the News.
“You don’t want to feel like you’re the only one going through it. It makes it worse when you’re going through it at home by yourself. When you know other mums are going through it as well, it makes you feel better.”
Rather than traditional nursery rhymes, the sessions feature empowering songs from around the world, and the effects are striking.
“It’s calmed me down so I can get on with what I need to do,” Shanice said. “I always leave in a good mood.”
Scientific studies, including research from the Royal College of Music, Imperial
And added that preserving the traditional nature of the pub is crucial for the Market Porter team: “It’s still a traditional pub. Its not one of these new swanky London bars. It’s spit and sawdust sort of thing.
“It’s been good to me over the years” and the early start is now “ingrained” into his routine.
For more information on The Market Porter please visit www.themarketporter. co.uk
College London, and a recent study with King’s College London and UCL, have shown that group singing can significantly improve maternal mental health.
Research also indicates that the sessions help strengthen the bond between mother and baby, with studies showing synchronised cortisol levels—suggesting a shared emotional connection.
Polly, from Nunhead, said: “I was quite low after giving birth. It’s a bit awkward to talk about because you think, ‘Am I being a good mother?’ It’s nice being somewhere where the music uplifts you—you know others are in the same boat, but you don’t have to talk about it. I didn’t sing before I came here. Now I sing all the time.”
Juliet, from Dulwich, highlighted the programme’s impact: “The attendance is really high. People don’t skip it, which shows how much they value it as part of their week.”
Breathe Melodies for Mums is removing barriers to traditional mental health support by offering a warm and welcoming alternative. With sessions running at Rye Oak Children and Family Centr and South Bermondsey Children and Family Centre the programme is expanding to include fathers, partners, and LGBTQ+ parents.
For more information or to apply for a place, visit www.breatheahr.org/ programmes/melodies-for-mums or email m4m@breatheahr.org.
Breathe Arts Health Research is a pioneering not-for-profit organisation dedicated to exploring how the arts can enhance health and wellbeing. Through evidence-based programmes across music, visual arts, theatre, and dance, Breathe works alongside healthcare providers, researchers, and artists to make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
Izaiah Smith was much-loved - tributes come in after his tragic death
By Issy Clarke
A WEST Dulwich schoolboy described as “uplifting with an infectious smile, charm and kindness” who died last Friday after going swimming in a lake at Beckenham Place Park has been named.
Fifteen-year old Izaiah Smith was a Year 11 pupil at Kingsdale Foundation School in West Dulwich.
The teenager’s body was found in Beckenham Place Park at 10:42pm on Friday, 4 April, more than seven hours after police were called to reports that the 15-year old was missing after getting into difficulty in the water.
Parents and staff at the school have set up fundraising page to raise money
DULWICH SCHOOLBOY WHO DIED AFTER GOING SWIMMING IN BECKENHAM LAKE WAS A PROMISING FOOTBALLER
for Izaiah’s funeral, with £12,000 raised so far.
Paying tribute to their son, Izaiah’s family wrote: “It is with profound sorrow that we share the passing of our beloved Izaiah; cherished son, brother, cousin, nephew, classmate, and friend.
“Izaiah had a rare gift for uplifting those around him. His infectious smile, charm, kindness, and unwavering dedication to others made every room brighter.
“A rising football talent, he poured his passion into sports, striving daily to grow both on and off the field.
“His legacy is one of love, perseverance, and the joy he brought to every moment and everyone.”
On Saturday, the SEDA Football
Academy in West London were he was a player posted a touching tribute to Izaiah on Instagram saying:
“Izaiah was such a bright light within our programme. Always present at training, he greeted everyone with the most adorable smile.
“His huge character and infectious energy will be deeply missed by us all. He was a truly respectful young man, always showing kindness and consideration to all the coaches and staff at SEDA Academy.”
He was also a player at Dorking Wanderers FC who said in a post on X: “We are absolutely devastated to learn of the passing of one of our young footballers – Izaiah Smith.
“It is of course impossible to find the words to explain what a tragedy this is.
“Izaiah was a hugely popular and talented young man and will be sorely missed by all that knew him.
“The club will provide support for all involved in whatever way we possibly can.
“In the meantime, all of our thoughts are with his family, friends and teammates at this incredible difficult time.”
In a letter circulated to parents, the headteacher of Kingsdale wrote: “It is with deepest regret that I write to inform you that late yesterday afternoon, one of our popular and much appreciated Year 11 students drowned in the ‘swimming pond’ at Beckenham Place Park.
“His close friends and peers, including those who were present and tried
to save him, are receiving specialist support and being comforted.
“This tragic and shocking loss will raise many emotions, concerns and questions for our entire school, especially our students. We ask that at this time the privacy of the family is respected and they are allowed to grieve in peace.”
Beckenham Place Park spans 98 hectares and contains large areas of woodland as well as lakes. There is a purpose-built swimming lake with depths of up to 3.5 metres.
In a statement, Lewisham Council, which manages Beckenham Place Park, said the park had re-opened on Saturday but the lake would remain closed with security in place until further notice.
Community cafe targeted by Magnum-munching thieves
By Issy Clarke
A COMMUNITY cafe in West Dulwich which has been blighted by burglaries is now fearing for its future.
Stephanie’s SE21 is a calm outdoor oasis nestled in the corner of Belair Park – but in recent weeks, the cafe has been targeted repeatedly by thieves and could be forced to close.
In the last six weeks, the popular spot off Thurlow Park Road has been ransacked five times, with burglars stealing everything in sight from furniture to ice creams and frozen pastries.
The cafe is a beloved community space with events held there by local mums and groups, but it is being spoilt by vandals.
Stephanie Morgan, the cafe’s owner, came into work on Monday to find vandals had gained access, and her croissants and Magnum ice creams dumped in the park.
“What are you going to do with 100 Magnums? Nothing. You can’t eat them. You’re not going to get home in time” she said.
Another time, thieves stole an eggchair worth hundreds of pounds.
“It makes me not want to spend
money on the place because everything just gets destroyed” she said.
Stephanie has spent thousands of pounds on damages, a new upgraded security system and on higher staff wages to account for the extra time it takes to lock away all the furniture and ice creams at the end of each day.
With these added costs, she is concerned the cafe won’t be able to make ends meet for much longer, and could be forced to close.
“As much as I love the cafe I’m literally getting into debt. It’s too much” she said.
Stephanie built the cafe with her daughter from the ground up in the summer of 2021 on the site of a disused car park – in part as a distraction while her father slowly died of cancer.
“At the beginning it was just me with a shovel and some garden separators” she said. “It was a real project of love.”
For the first two years of the
business she ran the entire place herself, working flat-out seven days a week.
It has never been about the money for Stephanie – prices haven’t changed since the cafe first opened its doors in July 2021 despite huge increases in the cost of living, and she says she has not made “a penny of profit” from the business.
The cafe has since become a beloved community space, hosting live music events and local groups including a
crochet club and a play-group for mums and babies.
Stephanie said she is “determined” to fight to keep the place going for as long as she can. With the new security system, she hopes the burglars will finally leave the cafe alone.
“I won’t be put out by the thieves. I’m going to give it one last proper go at making this place a success.”
We have contacted the police for an update on their investigation into the series of break-ins at the cafe.
Beckenham Place Park
Plans to ban cars from Deptford High Street
By Robert Firth Local Democracy Reporter
CARS COULD be banned from Deptford High Street for up to eight hours per day under council plans,
A stretch of the popular shopping street between New Cross Road and Hamilton Street would be closed to vehicles under the proposed changes unveiled by Lewisham Council.
Deptford High Street is currently pedestrianised three days per week. Lewisham Council is asking locals whether they would prefer the street to be closed to traffic every day from 10am until 5pm, from 10am until 6pm or from 11am until 7pm.
The road’s closure is expected to allow for increased street trading in the area and more opportunities for cafés and restaurants to put out outdoor seating, according to the council.
As part of the street’s redesign, repairs would be made to paving in the area, extra parking for bikes would be fitted and additional trees and flower beds would be planted.
There would also be dedicated zones for busking created along the street, as well as new seating areas and better lighting under the railway bridge.
All vehicles would be banned from Hales Street and Frankham Street, except for access to residents’ homes.
Residents can share their opinions on the planned changes to Deptford High
Street until May 14.
Cllr Louise Krupski, Deputy Mayor of Lewisham, said: “As we look to the future of town centres, we want to work with the community at every stage to make sure our improvements are designed by and for local people while ensuring no one is left behind.
“With over 60 per cent of Lewisham residents using public transport for commuting, and many walking or cycling as part of their daily routines, we’re focusing on making it easier for them to travel actively, safely and sustainably while also creating more space for people to enjoy what the high street has to offer.”
To take part in the consultation go to: deptfordhighstreet.commonplace.is
Deptford High Street as it looks today
STREET WHERE TRAFFIC MAKES HOUSES SHAKE TO GET EVEN MORE BUSES
By Robert Firth Local Democracy Reporter
A SOUTH London road where traffic is so bad residents’ houses shake and crack is set to get even more buses running down it.
Timetable changes mean the 284 between Grove Park Cemetery and Lewisham station will pass down Sandhurst Road in Hither Green more often.
Residents fear congestion and pollution caused by traffic on the street, which is on four daytime bus routes, will get even worse when the changes come into force, which started on Saturday, April 5.
Chris Bean, 71, who has lived on the street for 44 years, said: “There have always been buses going up and down Sandhurst but the number is increasing. The houses weren’t designed for the traffic that we get in this day and age.
“When you have heavy loads and buses thundering down the road, all the front of the house can shake. That can’t be doing them any good.”
Alison Howard, 35, who has lived on Sandhurst Road since 2019, said: “We’ve got five bus routes: the 160, the 284, the 124, the 181, [and the N171]. Our biggest issue is buses and cars that come hurtling down the street.
“It’s a 20mph zone and we frequently get cars and buses doing easily double that. We have a major problem with
houses cracking from all the vibration.”
Residents like Mr Bean and Ms Howard have been campaigning for Lewisham Council and the police to take more action to tackle speeding motorists and those who park their car on the pavement for years.
Ms Howard acknowledged the council had cracked down on drivers leaving their cars on the pavement since the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) first highlighted the issue on Sandhurst Road in 2024. But she said the Labour-run council had so far failed to take enough steps to stop cars and buses speeding down the road.
Matthew Sparkes, who also lives on the street, said: “I think Lewisham
Council has sacrificed Sandhurst Road. It’s classed as an area of deprivation, with lots of HMOs, and they seem to be funnelling all the traffic, pollution and shaking buses down this tiny residential street to protect nearby wealthy roads.”
A Lewisham Council spokesperson said: “We have been working closely with residents on Sandhurst Road to resolve these issues. In response, we have increased enforcement in the area and are in the process of introducing new measures (planters and street furniture) to calm traffic and prevent inconsiderate parking.
“The council has also undertaken a comprehensive consultation with local
residents as part of the Sustainable Streets programme to explore proposals to address these issues.
The results of this consultation are currently being analysed and will be published soon.”
Backpack appeal in murder hunt
By Issy Clarke
DETECTIVES HAVE launched a fresh appeal for information as they continue to investigate the murder of a 34-year old man in Brixton last month.
Troy Ramsundar was stabbed on Brixton Road on Thursday, 20 March.
Ibrahim Gonclaves-Cumare, 30, of no fixed address, was charged with murder on Sunday, 23 March in connection with his death.
Police have released pictures of a ‘distinctive backpack’ they are keen to locate which belonged to the suspect.
The backpack is a blue Herschel rucksack with brown strapping and a pink or orange striped lining and police believe it may have been discarded in or near Brockwell Park
The suspect entered the park from the Brixton Water Lane entrance at 05:15 am on Thursday, 20 March and left by the junction of Norwood Road and Dulwich Road after about 30 minutes.
Police said the suspect was also wearing and may have discarded:
A light Dark outer jacket
Light (possibly grey) hooded top
Dark face-mask
Dark trousers
Dark shiny shoes
Gloves (possibly red / brown
Detectives are also keen to speak to anyone who was at the bus stop on Brixton Road (bus stop Q) between 04:30 am and 05:15 am on Thursday, 20 March. This bus stop is served by the 2, 3, 196, 415, 432, N2 & N3 buses.
Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie, from the Met’s Specialist
Crime Command, who is leading the investigation, said: “My team continue to support Troy’s family who are inconsolable and are trying to understand why he was killed.
“While we are making significant progress in our investigation, we continue to appeal for anyone
who witnessed this incident and particularly anyone who has information about the bag and its contents to contact us.
“Did you see Troy that evening? We believe that he was selling packets of crisps in the area, including to people at the bus stop. This may seem like an insignificant detail but we are hoping it may jog people’s memories.
“My team are working tirelessly to piece together the events that took place on the morning of Thursday, 20 March.
“Please speak to them and share any information you may have. Help us to provide Troy’s family with the answers they need.”
Police were called at approximately 05:10 am on Thursday, 20 March to reports of a man suffering a stab injury in Brixton Road, SW9.
Officers and London Ambulance Service attended but despite their efforts Troy, aged 34, sadly died at the scene.
Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 or message @MetCC on X giving the reference CAD843/20Mar. You can also provide information, or upload images and footage, through the online portal. Information can also be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
© Met Police
The backpack and the clothes worn by the suspect
Hither Green residents are fed-up of dangerous parking and driving on Sandhurst Road.
Nat and Matthew Sparkes try and get past a car parked on the pavement on Sandhurst Road, Hither Green. CREDIT: Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon
Car after being hit by another vehicle on Sandhurst Road in April 2025. CREDIT: Pictured supplied
Troy Ramsundar was stabbed on Thursday March 20
Image of Troy with a box of crisps
Free and cheap activities to do with kids these Easter holidays
It’s time to put these fun-filled Easter activities in the diary
THE EASTER holidays are nearly upon us, there is plenty going on but here is our pick of either free or cheap things to do.
Easter weekend falls is 18th to 21st April this year. Yet, with the Easter Holidays typically being two weeks long as most kids are off between the 4th and 22nd April.
If you are stuck for fun things to do with the kids whilst they are off school, look no further.
We have compiled a list of the free (or cheap), fun-filled activities this Easter in south east London.
From daytime dancing, exploring London’s history, to spring fairs- there’s something for all ages and families.
CASTLE SQUARE:
FREE
A free Easter event, including face painting and storytelling is coming to Castle Square in Elephant and Castle over Easter. There will be a range of family-friendly activities, with performances from local dance schools and interactive dance workshops.
Date: Friday 18th April, 11am-5pm
Location: 40 Elephant Road, SE17 1EU
Price: Free Tickets: No ticket required
SOUTHBANK CENTRE’S SPRING FAMILY FUN PROGRAMME MOSTLY FREE:
This fun-filled programme of Easter events at the Southbank Centre is bound to keep your children occupied this Easter. Here are some of the highlights:
Good Friday ‘Daytime Dance’
All ages will enjoy this drop-in afternoon of daytime dancing with a 5 hour set list of talented DJs and artists. Performances from GW Jazz, Tomorrow’s Warriors and even a chance to sing-along with the Reggae Choir.
Date: Friday 18th April, starts at 1pm and finishes at 6pm
Location: The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, The Royal Festival Hall Price: Free
The Lion Inside
A new stage adaptation of the bestselling story The Lion Inside featuring puppetry, music and song. Embark on an adventure with a heart-warming tale about confidence, self-esteem and a shy little
mouse who sets out on a journey to find his roar.
Date: 16th-20th April, various timings
Length: 1 hour
Location: Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
Price: £16
Book tickets here
ROYAL MUSEUMS GREENWICH FREE AND PAID FOR:
The Royal Museums Greenwich has a series of both free and paid-for family friendly events, check out website above, here are some of the paid for stuff.
Ted’s Space Adventure
A live planetarium show for 3-7 year olds for children who love learning about space
and astronauts. Ted’s Space adventure will explore the solar system with a bear named and is presented by an astronomer from the Royal Observatory. All children must be accompanied by an adult
Date: Daily, 11:30am
Location: The Royal Observatory, Blackheath Ave, London SE10 8XJ
Price: £12 Adult and £6 Children
Tickets can be booked on their website
SENsory Sailors
A sensory play session for children with special educational needs led by disabled creatives. Explore the museum, meet other local families and be creative together. Sessions are for children under 13 years.
Saturday 12th April, 11am-12:30pm
Location: The Royal Observatory,
Blackheath Ave, London SE10 8XJ
Price: £12 Adult and £6 Children
Tickets: Tickets can be booked on their website
EASTER HOLIDAYS AT CUTTY SARK: £11
Enjoy family activities on board the historic tea clipper Cutty Sark: Cutty Sark Easter egg trail
Find the hidden eggs around the historic ship and collect 11 letters on each egg to unscramble the secret nautical code! Ideal for children aged 5+
Time: Performances daily at 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm
Location: Cutty Sark, King William Walk, London SE10 9HT
Price: £22 adults, £11 children
Tickets: Tickets can be booked here
Meet the characters of Cutty Sark
Meet the captain, cook and take a tour of the ship to get a taste of life at sea.
Time: Performances daily at 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm
Location: Cutty Sark, King William Walk, London SE10 9HT
Price: £22 adults, £11 children
Tickets: Tickets can be booked here
Photo: ©National Maritime Museum, London
ARCHEOLOGY WORKSHOPS AT THE LONDON DOCKLANDS MUSEUM FREE
The London Museum Docklands are offering a series fascinating workshop where families can get stuck into the archeological history of the Thames.
Rising river pop-up cards
Create a pop-up card with a foreshore littered with treasures and a river that rises and recedes to reveal hidden objects. Suitable for children aged 5 and older
Date: Thursday 18th April (sessions at 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm)
Location: London Museum Docklands, No 1, West India Quay, Hertsmere Rd, London E14
4ALPrice: Free
Price: Free
MEET A VICTORIAN MUDLARK
Join their mudlark and comb the foreshore of the Thames. Kids will expect to fine both treasures and trash- what will you find?
Date: 15th-17th April. Sessions at 1212:30pm, 1-1:30pm and 3-3:30pm
Location: London Museum Docklands, No 1, West India Quay, Hertsmere Rd, London E14 4AL
Price: Free
Foreshore finds
Help create a collaborative foreshore of undiscovered items. Kids get a chance to add their own artwork for future mudlarks to find. Items can survive for centuries in the river as the mud stops them from decaying.
Date: 16th April. Sessions at 11am-1pm and 2-4pm
Location: London Museum Docklands, No 1, West India Quay, Hertsmere Rd, London E14 4AL
Price: Free
Mudlarking mementos
Make your own clay coin to take home and get your hands mucky. In this workshop you can mould a clay coin inspired by the artefacts uncovered in the Thames.
Date: Various times between 10-14th April. Timings released 5th April.
Location: London Museum Docklands, No 1, West India Quay, Hertsmere Rd, London E14 4AL
Price: Free
Tickets: Tickets will go on sale Saturday 5th April at 10am
WOOLWICH WORKS: PAY WHAT YOU LIKE
‘Crafternoons’:
Fun for all the family this Easter with a ‘Crafternoon’ Easter special.
Make gorgeous 3D daffodil flower masterpiece to take home. Create handprint Easter Bunnies and even design your own Easter Egg.
Crafternoons are accessible and simple.
Time: Sessions at 2pm on Sunday 13th April and Saturday 19th April
Location: Woolwich Works, The Fireworks Factory, 11 No 1 St, Royal Arsenal, London SE18 6HD
Price: Pay what you like (ticket required) Tickets can be booked on their website
KIDBROOKE VILLAGE: FREE
Easter Fun Day:
An Easter scavenger hunt, art and crafts, face painting and even a visit from Surrey Docks farm!
This event is aimed at young families with children aged 0-12 and is free to attend.
Surrey Docks farm will be bringing a range of animals for children to pet.
Time: 11am – 3pm on 12th April
Location: Cator Park North, Kidbrooke Park Road, SE3 9FZ
Price: Free
LEWISHAM SHOPPING CENTRE: FREE
Free Easter-themed crafting workshops:
Lewisham Shopping Centre is set to host free Easter-themed workshops this Easter holiday.
Guests are invited to take part in a variety of fun craft activities, including Easterthemed crowns, photo frames, cards and decorations.
Paul Redden, Centre Director at Lewisham Shopping Centre, said: “We are delighted that our Easter-themed craft workshops are returning once again. The workshops always add an extra element of seasonal fun to our guests’ visits, and we can’t wait to see the array of artwork created by our budding artists!”
Time: Tuesday 15th April – Saturday 19th April from 10:30am until 4:30pm
Location: Lewisham Shopping Centre, Molesworth St, London SE13 7HB.
Price: Free
SOUTHWARK LIBRARIES: FREE
Head to your local Southwark library to benefit from their programme of free Easter events!
Easter bunny collage at Kingswood Library:
Time: Monday 14th April, 3pm-4pm
Location: Kingswood Library, 37-38 Seeley Drive, London, SE21 8QR
Price: Free
Caterpillar Paper Craft afternoon at Grove Vale Library:
Time: Monday 14th April, 2pm-3:30pm
Location: Grove Vale Library, 18-22 Grove Vale, London, SE22 8EF
Price: Free
Tickets: No ticket required
Easter Egg hunt at Southwark Heritage Centre and Walworth Library:
Children will love this eggcellent activity, while they try and work out where the Easter Eggs are hiding. Suitable for all the family.
Time: Wednesday 16th April, 2pm-3pm
Location: Southwark Heritage Centre and Walworth Library, 145-147 Walworth Road, Walworth, London, SE17 1RW
Price: Free
Spring Collage Art at Grove Vale Library:
Time: Tuesday 22nd April, 2pm-3pm
Location: Grove Vale Library, 18-22 Grove Vale, London, SE22 8EF
Price: Free
TWENTY-THREE MORE WOMEN COME FORWARD OVER ELEPHANT AND CASTLE STUDENT RAPIST
Police fear he could have as many as 50 victims
By Issy Clarke
POLICE HAVE been approached by 23 more women claiming they were attacked by convicted serial rapist Zhenhao Zou.
The Elephant and Castle student, 28, was found guilty in March of raping and drugging ten women in London and China between 2019 and 2024.
His conviction at Inner London Crown Court, just down the road from his home in Churchyard Row, Elephant and Castle, involved women both in the UK and China and was one of the most complex investigations carried out by the Met Police.
After the trial ended, detectives revealed they had evidence to suggest that there may be more than 50 other victim-survivors, and appealed for anyone who have not yet been identified to come forward.
Since the Met’s appeal, 23 women have already made reports and investigators believe there could yet be further victims and survivors of Zou.
Some of these women currently live in the UK, while others are living in China and other parts of the world, highlighting the international scale of his crimes and the challenges faced by officers in bringing Zou to justice.
Multiple people have also come forward to share key information and assist with enquires, who officers are treating as potential witnesses.
Commander Kevin Southworth, who leads public protection at the Metropolitan Police, said: “This is a significant step in our ongoing investigation and I’d like to thank
the women who have bravely come forward since our appeal. Our priority remains to offer them the best possible support throughout this immensely difficult time.
“I would also like thank Londoners and the wider public who have shared our appeal and helped us raise awareness of this case –helping to reach further women and witnesses who we believe will be crucial to the next phase of our investigation.
“As part of our work to make London safer, officers and staff at the Met are continuing their efforts to
tackle violence against women and girls and put victim-survivors at the heart of our response.”
Specialist officers from the Met have spoken with all of the women who have come forward and enquiries continue into any potential crimes which have not yet been through the criminal justice process.
Dedicated officers are liaising with the Crown Prosecution Service as they build a file of evidence to submit for further consideration by prosecutors. This will follow Zou’s sentencing, which is scheduled to take place in June 2025.
As part of this update, the investigation team is once again appealing for further victimsurvivors to come forward where they will receive specialist support.
Beyond the women who have come forward, officers believe that there are still more victim-survivors to be traced.
Officers want to reassure any potential victim-survivors that any reports will be fully investigated and dealt with the utmost sensitivity, care and compassion.
The PHD student Zou is originally from Dongguan in the Guangdong Province of China and is believed to have lived in the UK since 2017.
Before his arrest in January 2024, Zou was a student at University College London (UCL) since 2019 and prior to that studied at Queen’s University Belfast.
Zou met women using online platforms and dating apps, inviting them to his home under the guise of studying or to have drinks. Officers have established that he invited women back to his address – one in central London and another in Elephant and Castle.
Once inside he would offer them a drink which contained a substance – believed to be butanediol, which converts to GHB once in the human body.
This would leave the victimsurvivors drifting in and out of consciousness. While unconscious, he filmed himself as he raped and sexually assaulted them.
Zou also kept items from victimsurvivors, such as jewellery and clothing.
After a woman came forward to report Zou, police searched his home and found the drugs butanediol and
ketamine, as well as a number of hidden cameras. They also seized a number of laptops and mobile phones, which later uncovered the true scale of Zou’s offending. Officers downloaded the digital devices amounting to six and a half trillion bytes of data, which included around nine million WeChat messages.
Met investigators spent months trawling through messages to understand Zou’s pattern of offending, painstakingly translating them into English from Simplified Chinese.
They also watched hundreds of videos stored on his devices, which appear to show Zou filming himself raping and sexually assaulting women. It was after analysis of this graphic and disturbing material that it became apparent that he had not only committed offences in London, but also in his home country of China too.
During the trial, officers were assisted by the Chinese Ministry of Public Security, who helped to facilitate one of the brave victimsurvivors giving evidence against Zou.
Reports relating to Zhenhao Zou can be made online via the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP): https://mipp. police.uk/operation/01MPS25X38PO1. The MIPP is also available in Simplified Chinese (https://mipp. police.uk/operation/01MPS25X38PO2 ).
If you wish to speak to Met detectives or make a report relating to Zou, you can also contact police via email on survivors@met.police.uk
You can also make a report to police by calling 101 from within the UK, quoting reference 2904/04FEB25.
A profile photo he used
MAYOR KHAN URGED TO INTERVENE TO BLOCK 44 STOREY TOWERS IN ELEPHANT & CASTLE
By Noah Vickers Local Democracy Reporter
SIR SADIQ Khan has been urged to intervene over plans to build tower blocks up to 44 storeys high in south London, as councillors warn the development will contain an “unacceptably low” amount of social housing.
The controversial ‘Borough Triangle’ scheme, which will see the construction of 892 new homes, was narrowly approved by Southwark Council at a planning committee meeting last week. In order to proceed however, the development still requires sign-off from the Mayor of London, due to its height and number of homes proposed.
The plans include 77 homes available at an “intermediate” level of affordability and 153 homes at a social rent. The remaining 662 properties are set to be sold off at market rates.
The council’s Lib Dem opposition leader Victor Chamberlain, who represents Borough and Bankside, said: “When Borough Triangle got approved last week, we said that we would keep fighting for affordable housing and standing up for local residents. We meant it.
“There are over 2,800 families in SE1 alone on the social housing waiting list. For fewer than one in five homes to be available for social rent is simply unacceptable.
“There is a version of the development
that could deliver genuinely affordable homes we need, whilst protecting heritage sites – but so far Labour have let developers get away with putting profit first.
“That’s why we’re calling on Sadiq Khan to urgently step in to ensure that the development of Borough Triangle genuinely delivers for local communities in Southwark and across London.”
In its report on the project, officers at Southwark Council concluded that if the developer were to provide more affordable housing, it would threaten the scheme’s viability as a whole.
The report states: “The quantum of affordable housing has been tested by the council’s own viability assessor, and
is considered to be the maximum that can be achieved on the site.”
But the report also acknowledged that there were heritage concerns associated with the scheme. It noted, for example, that for someone looking across the Serpentine in Hyde Park towards the Houses of Parliament – a designated World Heritage Site – the development would appear “overly dominant” in the background and would cause “a degree of harm” to that view.
Regarding the development’s impacts on daylight, officers found that it would bring “moderate and major adverse effects to neighbouring properties”, due to the shadows cast by the towers.
Local resident and actress Juliet
Rylance told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “We as the Borough community remain gravely concerned and distressed.
“It’s a development that – as per the planning officers’ own report – will cause significant harm and leave lasting major adverse impacts on neighbouring council estates, playgrounds, heritage assets, the conservation areas to the north-east and west of the site, so it’s significant…
“This scheme is only technically compliant with the Southwark and London Plans for [affordable] housing, by 0.1 per cent by habitable room. I think that’s just not good enough.”
Ms Rylance, known for her television
roles in The Knick, McMafia and Perry Mason, added: “This should not be a case of ‘community vs developer’… There is a compromise that needs to be sought and this community is dedicated to helping our leaders find it.
“We implore our mayor to seek an amendment to this proposal, one that truly benefits this community and wider Southwark, that supports us now and for the many generations to come.”
City Hall would not be drawn on whether the mayor had concerns about the scheme. A spokesman for Sir Sadiq said: “In due course when the application is referred, the mayor will review whether to call in the application for his consideration.”
‘IT’S A HIDDEN GEM IN SOUTHWARK’
EXCLUSIVE
By Isabel Ramirez
A NON-PROFIT supporting neurodiverse children says Southwark families are missing out on its services due to a lack of a permanent base.
The Neurodiversity Family Hub, launched in 2023 by Borough resident Sonay Ozkutayli and Marine BernierHarrington, provides youth clubs and support for children with special educational needs (SEND) and their parents.
Sonay, a mother of two neurodiverse children, struggled to find local SENDfocused activities. “The doctors gave me an armful of leaflets for me as a parent, but when I asked about clubs for my daughter, they said there was nothing nearby.”
Determined to fill this gap, she and Marine created the hub, offering weekly sessions for different age groups at Mint Street Park. “You don’t have to be diagnosed, as we understand how long that journey is,”
Sonay said.
Children, many with autism and ADHD, feel safe at the hub. “It stops me sitting inside playing video games,” said Paul, a long-time attendee. “The staff are brilliant.”
His mum, Siobhan Young, added:
“Before, I always felt judged by other parents.
“But here, I feel included. To find somewhere where your kid can scream, they can sing - they can just burn off energy without being judged.”
“It’s an absolute hidden gem in Southwark.”
The hub, recently funded by Southwark Council for a careers and skills programme for over-16s, also supports parents with coffee mornings and advocacy for education and healthcare plans. “We empower them with knowledge and community,” Sonay said.
However, limited access to Mint Street Park restricts their work. “A permanent home would let us reach more families, offer a holiday club, tutoring, and therapy sessions,” she explained.
Paul said having a permanent space
would give him “more security” and he could see his friends more.
Cllr Victor Chamberlain, Leader of the Southwark Liberal Democrats, praised the hub as a “fantastic resource” but acknowledged that its growth is hindered by the lack of a dedicated space.
“I’m really pleased to have seen them go from strength to strength in supporting neurodiverse children and their families.
“We remain committed to supporting them in securing a permanent home.”
Parent Jen Maharaja highlighted the hub’s impact: “I especially love that the weight my eldest son enters with, is gently lifted as he is greeted by all the lovely staff who really take the time to get to know him and ask how he is.
“This organisation makes our children feel accepted, heard, and loved.”
The Neurodiversity Family Hub continues to advocate for a permanent home to expand its vital services for Southwark’s neurodiverse community. For more information about how to access their services please visit www. theneurodiversityfamilyhub.org
To donate to the Neurodiversity Family Hub so they can continue helping families in the borough, click here. They are based at Mint Street Park, Southwark Bridge Rd, London SE1 1QP
© Met Police
he children all said they felt comfortable at the hub to be themselves CGIs of Borough Triangle development
Walk Your Way to Better Mental Health –And Join London’s Most Inspiring Walking Events
This May
This National Walking Day (Wednesday 2nd April), there’s never been a better time to take a step towards better mental wellbeing. Whether it’s a daily stroll or a larger fitness goal, walking can have a transformative impact on your mental and physical health, and now, you can walk with purpose too.
A recent survey commissioned by breast cancer charity Walk the Walk revealed that 82% of adults say going for a walk improves their mood and mental health. Walking is more than just exercise, it’s a simple and powerful way to improve your daily wellbeing, build resilience, and find space for self-care.
To mark the occasion, Walk the Walk invites you to get involved in something truly meaningful this May, with two unforgettable events in the heart of London.
Step into Spring with Purpose
Saturday 17th May, Walk the Walk’s iconic challenge, The MoonWalk London, returns to Clapham Common. This unique overnight walking event sees thousands of women and men walk a half or full marathon in decorated bras, raising awareness and
vital funds for breast and other cancers.
Alongside it, the 5K ZOOM offers a fun, familyfriendly daytime event, perfect for all ages and fitness levels. Whether you’re a seasoned walker or just starting your journey, both events promise community spirit, entertainment, and a sense of accomplishment like no other.
The 5K ZOOM – A Perfect Introduction
The 5K ZOOM takes place earlier that same day and is ideal for newcomers to Walk the Walk events. It’s a lively and accessible 5 kilometre route through Clapham Common, filled with music, fun, and a welcoming atmosphere. It’s open to all ages, making it a fantastic opportunity for families to walk together.
At the finish line, participants are greeted with a hot drink, a muffin, and a collectible medal, leaving with fun memories made.
The MoonWalk London
For those looking for a bigger challenge, The MoonWalk London offers two distances: the Half Moon (15.1 miles) or the Full Moon (26.2
miles). The route weaves through central London under the night sky, filled with live entertainment, cheering supporters, and an atmosphere that’s both powerful and joyful.
Open to anyone aged 13 and over, the event is about more than just walking, it’s about unity, determination, and the power of a community walking together for a common cause.
New for 2025: Lights, Music, and the Magic of Musicals
This year’s MoonWalk theme celebrates musicals. From Mamma Mia to Matilda, Hairspray to Hamilton, participants are encouraged to dress as their favourite characters for a vibrant night of walking and celebration.
Walk the Walk is also introducing more LED light installations than ever before, transforming the night-time route into an immersive, glowing celebration. In addition, iconic London landmarks will once again Light Up Pink, creating a city-wide show of unity and support.
Walking for Wellness – Five Tips from the Founder
Walk the Walk’s Founder and Chief Executive, Nina Barough CBE, shares her five tips for turning walking into a habit:
1. Schedule it – treat your daily walk like a meeting and commit to it.
2. Plan a few routes – have walks mapped out for different lengths of time.
3. Dress appropriately – comfortable clothing and good footwear make all the difference.
4. Track your steps – using an app or pedometer helps with motivation.
5. Make every step count – even short walks or walking between rooms add up.
Sign up today at walkthewalk.org
Special offer: Register now for The MoonWalk London and receive a second entry at half price.
TUNNEL TOLLS AT SILVERTOWN AND BLACKWALL COULD MAKE TRAFFIC WORSE AT TOWER BRIDGE, OFFICIALS CLAIM
By Issy Clarke
CHARGES TO use Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels could lead to more traffic at other crossings including Rotherhithe Tunnel and Tower Bridge as motorists seek to avoid the toll, the authority in charge of the bridge has warned.
Silvertown Tunnel linking Greenwich Peninsula to the Royal Docks is opened on Monday, April 7. Motorists will have to pay £4 to use the tunnel during peak hours, while drivers of large vans and heavy goods vehicles will have to pay £6.50 and £10 respectively.
Now the Silvertown Tunnel is open the same charges also apply to the Blackwall tunnel, which was free to use.
Transport officials have said the tolls are necessary to avoid creating congestion at Blackwall caused by motorists avoiding the paid tunnel, defeating the purpose of Silvertown which was built to relieve pressure from Blackwall.
The new tunnel has been specifically designed to accommodate heavy vehicles, which often get stuck in Blackwall and cause lengthy delays.
However the body in charge of Tower Bridge has warned that imposing charges will simply lead to
traffic building up at other Thames crossings.
Simon Latham, the chief operator of the City Bridge Authority, which manages the five Thames bridges
in central London at no cost to the taxpayer, told The Times that more traffic would have a “detrimental impact” on the Grade 1-listed Tower Bridge crossing, adding:
F A ALBIN & SONS
“It’s vital we do everything we can to protect the 130-year-old structure… We would urge TfL to closely monitor any impact on traffic flow.”
TFL said it does not anticipate
‘significant impacts’ at Tower Bridge. Southwark Council is also concerned there could be increasing pressure on Rotherhithe Tunnel which connects Rotherhithe and Limehouse.
However Latham said since large vehicles can’t access Rotherhithe Tunnel, Tower Bridge was more likely to bear the impact of heavy vans escaping the tunnel charge.
Tower Bridge is held up by bascules and suspenders, and partly opens in the middle to let boats pass through. This design makes it more vulnerable to being worn-down due to overuse as the carriage-way is more fragile.
Meanwhile, National Highways has warned the effects of the tunnel on traffic could reverberate as far down Dartford Crossing on the M25, which costs £2.50 to cross.
A spokesperson for TFL said: “We have undertaken a comprehensive assessment of the scheme impacts, including on traffic at adjacent crossings, and have used this updated work to inform decisions on the user charge levels and discounts. We do not anticipate significant impacts at Tower Bridge, but we have made legally binding commitments to closely monitor this before and after the tunnel opens, and act if impacts are notably different to those predicted.”
Photo by Cecelina Photography
You can travel from Lewisham & Greenwich for FREE on the bus for an entire year!
By Louisa Woolf
Local Democracy Reporter
IT IS now free to travel from Lewisham and Greenwich on the bus thanks to three new bus routes being launched by Transport for London.
The 108, 129 and the new Superloop 4 are now carrying passengers and customers won’t have to pay a penny for the first 12 months.
The Superloop 4 now connects south east London to Canary Wharf for the first time and make it easier for people from Blackheath, Lee and Grove Park to cross the Thames.
It will run every eight minutes during weekdays and every 15 minutes during the day at weekends.
The 108 runs from Stratford
Cutty Sark
By Louisa Woolf Local Democracy Reporter
CUTTY SARK DLR station will be closed from the end of May until next Spring while all four escalators are replaced.
Problems with the existing escalators have disrupted passengers since 2021, with all four now out of service. To get from platform to street level, commuters currently have to walk up 121 steps or wait for a single small lift.
TfL says that replacing all four escalators at once is the best way to minimise disruption. It says due to limited space at the station it is impossible for it to remain open during the works.
The Cycle Shuttle Service will be free for the fi rst year
centre, Blackheath on this side of the river and Beckton District Park in Newham.
And a brand new route, the Superloop SL4, will run through the new tunnel from Grove Park to Canary Wharf.
International Station to Lewisham Station, while the 129 begins in Newham and ends in Lewisham.
These new services are were launched in conjunction with the opening of the brand new Silvertown Tunnel linking North Greenwich to the Royal Docks.
SO
WHERE CAN YOU GO FOR FREE ON THE BUS?
Route 108 will continue to run every 10 minutes from Lewisham station to Stratford International via the Blackwall Tunnel, passing through North Greenwich and Bow Church stations. This route has been upgraded to become electric buses.
The newly extended route 129 will run from Lewisham, past the O2 arena, through the Silvertown Tunnel, to City Airport and as far as Great Eastern Quay. It also takes in popular destinations like Greenwich Town
DLR
The Superloop 4 will call at all stops between Grove Park and Kidbrooke Park Road, via Lee station and Blackheath station. It then runs non-stop to Leamouth via the new Silvertown Tunnel, and calls at all stops from there until Westferry Circus, including East India Station and Canary Wharf Station.
The SuperLoop buses will run every eight minutes.
You must touch in with a valid Oyster card or contactless card or device, but the fare will automatically register as £0.00.
THERE IS EVEN A FREE RIDE ON THE DOCKLANDS LIGHT RAILWAY
It’s not only the buses that are free, you can also get free DLR travel across the river between Cutty Sark Island Gardens, and between Woolwich Arsenal and King George V. Passengers will tap on as normal, and the fares between these stations will be automatically refunded. But this will only be until the end of May (see story below).
AND NOT FORGETTING CYCLISTS THEY GO FREE TOO
Cyclists are also able to travel through the new 1.4km tunnel for free on the bike shuttle service.
A shuttle bus now runs every 12 minutes from 6:30am to 9:30pm, taking cyclists and their bikes to and from the stop on the north side of the river, close to Royal Victoria DLR station, and the stop on the southside on Millennium Way.
It has two stops, one on each side of the river, with the ‘north’ stop located on Seagull Lane close to Royal Victoria DLR station, and the ‘south’ stop located on Millennium Way near the junction with Old School Close. Maps showing local cycle routes are on display at shelters to help with journey planning and encourage further journeys by cycle.
WHY DID TFL BUILD THE SILVERTOWN TUNNEL?
The 1.4km tunnel, which was first announced in 2012, will see the number of buses able to cross the river each hour increase from six to 21.
The tunnel is estimated to reduce journey times by up to 20 minutes during peak hours.
It cost £4 to drive a car through the tunnel during peak times, and up to £10 for larger vans and lorries. The same tolls will also
station to close for 10 months
The refurbishment has been scheduled to avoid disruption during the London Marathon which takes place on April 27 this year, and is expected to be completed by next Spring, ahead of the 2026 event.
Cutty Sark is one of the closest stations to the start line in Greenwich Park for the marathon’s 50,000 runners, and many more spectators.
The closure will affect commuters to Canary Wharf and the 20 million tourists who visit Greenwich every year. Cutty Sark is London’s third busiest DRL station, following Canary Wharf and Limehouse.
TfL says the new “state-of-the-art, energy-efficient escalators” will provide customers with easier and more reliable access to the station.
Ben Grellier, TfL’s head of operations for the DLR, said: “We know Cutty Sark’s escalators have been causing disruption and frustration for our customers and we would like to thank them for their patience during this period.
“We apologise for any further disruption the station closure may cause, but it is not possible to replace these escalators with the station in operation. Once installed, the new state-of-the-art escalators will provide customers with reliable and easier access to DLR services at the station.”
The station will closed from Saturday 31st May 2025 until Spring 2026, with passengers advised to use Greenwich station, an 11-minute walk away, and local buses during the closure.
kick in at Blackwall Tunnel. Both will be free to use overnight, and standard offpeak charges will also apply for vehicles registered with TFL Auto Pay.
Silvertown has in part been built to relieve congestion at Blackwall Tunnel, which suffers from more than 700 closures a year.
WHAT OTHER DISCOUNTS ARE AVAILABLE?
Low-income residents in 12 east London boroughs and the City of London, and on certain benefits, are eligible for a 50 per cent discount on tunnel crossing charges.
Small businesses, sole traders and charities registered and operating from Greenwich, Newham or Tower Hamlets are also eligible for a £1 discount on the off-peak charge on a maximum of three vehicles.
WHAT THE MAYOR HAS TO SAY?
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “The new Silvertown Tunnel will transform travel in the South and East of our city, particularly across the River Thames, and will help to address the chronic congestion and poor air quality around Blackwall Tunnel.
“The new tunnel will reduce journey times, help to manage pollution levels and improve cross-river public transport.
“The original plans for the Silvertown Tunnel were developed by the previous Mayor of London in 2012. We made a series of significant improvements to make the scheme greener and to include a package of measures to support Londoners, local residents and businesses.
“This includes ensuring there are discounts and concessions in place, reserving a lane for double-decker buses, a free innovative cycle-shuttle service and free bus travel for pedestrians, which will encourage more people to switch to greener modes of transport.”
Silvertown Tunnel entrance
New free bus service through the Silvertown Tunnel
WALWORTH GANG CONVICTED AS COURT HEARS OF A CONSPIRACY TO ‘PEDDLE LAMB’S TESTICLES AND
SHEEP’S HEADS’ TO UNKNOWING SHOPPERS
By Issy Clarke
A GROUP of criminals have been caught red-handed in Walworth in a shocking food fraud scandal following a successful investigation by Southwark Council and the National Food Crime Unit (NFCU).
From a filthy cutting room hidden in a property on Laugan Walk, Walworth, Southwark Council said criminals diverted the grotesque animal waste products into the human food chain between June and September 2020.
Police broke into the premises in September 2020, and found it “filthy, lacking hot water and proper hygiene facilities”.
The investigation started in March 2020 after Southwark Council received a report from the NFCU, a law enforcement division within the Food Standards Agency, regarding suspicious illegal food activity near East Street.
Once inside, officers said they found a door obscured by stacked boxes, which led them to an illegal covert cutting shop where workers were found actively cutting, skinning, washing, and portioning tainted raw poultry intended for sale and distribution.
Officers said they uncovered 1.9 tonnes of whole and cut chickens, smokies, lamb’s testicles, and beef burgers, all of which were improperly handled and stored at the unregistered premises in Laugan Walk. These products, originally intended for disposal or pet food, were instead being fraudulently reintroduced into the human food supply chain.
Southwark Council said the labels on the lamb’s testicles and beef burgers were traced to a company called Keepak while the labels found on the chicken was traced to a company called 2 Sisters Food Group or 2SFG.
The companies later confirmed the meat and poultry items were Category 3 animal-by products not usually consumed by humans, such as animal skin, bones, horns and hooves.
Once food has been determined to be animal-by-product it cannot legally
enter the human food chain making it not fit for human consumption.
The officers soon determined that the premises were controlled by Ali Afzal, Azal Irshad, and a third person called Arshad Akhtar. Mr Akhtar has since died.
Upon discovery of the cutting shop
Southwark Council referred the case to the NFCU which traced the supply of the animal by-products to Fears Animal Products Ltd, led by director Anthony Fear and manager Mark Hooper.
Trading standards officers from Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay, seized evidence showing that Fears Animal Products Ltd had been contracted by both Kepak and 2SFG to collect animal by-products and transport them to Saria, a pet food producer.
Due to the scale of the operation and the health risks posed, all meat found
at the premises was seized on-site and subsequently destroyed.
The complex case concluded with the court finding Anthony Fear, Fears Animal Products, Irshad, together with Hooper guilty of conspiring together to commit food fraud.
Additionally, Ali Afzal, who rented the premises to Akhtar and Irshad, was convicted of breaching food hygiene and safety regulations.
Irshad, in particular, was found guilty of multiple violations, including disregarding food hygiene procedures and operating in filthy, unsafe conditions without a hot water supply. He was also convicted of selling unfit food, such as expired beef burgers and improperly processed sheep’s heads, known as “smokies.”
The group are due to be sentenced at Inner London Crown Court in the coming weeks.
been secured following an extensive investigation led by the NFCU which required meticulous examination of large volumes of evidence.
“The NFCU worked closely with Southwark Council and other partners to enable this successful prosecution. It is anticipated that the sentencing in due course will reflect the serious nature of this offending and will act as a deterrent to other bad actors in the food chain.”
WHAT IS ANIMAL BY-PRODUCT?
When animals are slaughtered and processed, waste material is produced. However, what is described as waste material can include meat or poultry (e.g. whole chickens) which has simply fallen on the floor during slaughter or processing. This material is not suitable for the human food chain and is therefore categorised into 3 categories: Category 1 is high risk material containing disease;
Category 2 material is also high risk and would include body parts or parts which have come into contact with cleaning agents;
Councillor Natasha Ennin, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Neighbourhoods, said:“These violations highlight the blatant disregard for food safety laws that protect public health – all for profit.
Consumers who unknowingly purchase and consume these products are exposed to potential health hazards.
“We will not tolerate such reckless and deceitful behaviour and no matter how long it takes; we will use all our available powers to bring criminals to justice.
“Together with the NFCU, our officers worked relentlessly to uncover the truth and ensure those responsible are made to pay for their crimes. We hope sentencing reflects the gravity of the crimes committed”
Andrew Quinn, Head of the FSA’s NFCU said: “These five convictions have
By Issy Clarke
SOUTHWARK HAD the second highest number of burglaries in London last year, according to the Met Police.
In total 1,583 burglaries were reported in Southwark in 2024, making it one of London’s biggest hotspots for home invasions, according to data obtained by Legal Expert via Freedom of Information requests.
Across London, the Met recorded more than 34,000 home burglaries last year, just 3 per cent of which resulted in a charge.
The most burgled borough was Barnet in north London, where residents reported 1,839 breakins, followed by Southwark, Hackney and Tower Hamlets.
Category 3 material is regarded as low risk and includes animal parts not usually used within the human food chain but may also include products originally intended for human consumption but which are later withdrawn for commercial or other reasons.
Once something is categorised as animal by-product it cannot be changed back hence why it is unfit for human consumption.
Category 3 animal by-product is frequently used for pet food and therefore it has a commercial value. The value however is low. For example, one tonne, so 1000 kilograms, of whole chicken categorised as animal by-product, destined for the pet food industry, is valued at between £100 to £120. If you think about how much you may pay for a whole chicken, or perhaps a kilo of chicken, in a supermarket, you may understand why someone may go about trying to divert animal byproduct into the human food chain.
The Met has recorded 108,000 burglaries in London since 2022, more than any other police force in the country.
The second most targeted region of the UK was the West Midlands where police recorded 39,869 home invasions in the same period.
Legal Expert’s CICA (Criminal Injury Compensation Authority) specialist, Ellie Lamey described the number of break-ins resulting in a charge as “shockingly low.”
She added: “Being the victim of a burglary can be extremely invasive and traumatic not to mention those instances of aggravated burglary where weapons are involved.
“Moreover the shockingly low charge rate gives victims the impression that there is no support or justice following what can be in some cases, a life-altering event.”
CHESSINGTON’S NEW THEME LAND APPROVED
By Charlotte Lillywhite Local Democracy Reporter
CHESSINGTON WORLD of Adventures will open a new themed land with a rollercoaster, children’s ride and play areas.
The popular resort in South London will redevelop one of its oldest areas to wow visitors, after the plans were approved by Kingston Council.
Owner Merlin Entertainments will replace Wild Asia, which has some of Chessington’s oldest rides and buildings, and a neighbouring glamping site with the new themed land. Only one existing ride, known as Kobra, will be kept and rethemed for the new attraction.
The new themed land will have a
rollercoaster with indoor and outdoor sections, immersive children’s rides, themed play areas and sensory environments for families with children aged six to 12. It will have new food and drink outlets with themed menus, a courtyard and a shop selling exclusive merchandise
Details of the theme chosen for the new land will be revealed in due course.
Construction work is expected to begin this year and be completed by 2027.
The council’s planning committee unanimously approved the scheme on March 26. Lib Dem councillor Jackie Davies said: “I think it’s a shame to cover up what is a lot of open land with a big building. On the other hand… indoor rides and outdoor rides [provide the]
best of both worlds, it takes a lot of people out of the queue for the other rides, so I’m definitely in favour of it.”
Conservative councillor Ian George added the authority ‘should be supportive of a company that’s coming to invest in Kingston and provide a better service’.
Planning documents warned visitor numbers will decline at Chessington without investment, with fewer people visiting the resort in 2023 than before the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019. They said the new themed land will deliver a ‘wow factor’ to refresh Chessington’s offer and upgrade an area long overdue for investment.
The glamping site that will be removed, known as Explorer Glamping, only has
temporary permission to stay open until September 2025.
The documents said: “The ‘need’ to continue investing in the right way is critical to the resort’s success, and in doing so will help to ensure it is able to compete with other leisure/visitor attractions in the South East, e.g. Paultons Park in Hampshire and Warner Bros. Studio Tour London ‘The Making of Harry Potter’.”
They added: “Merlin is very keen for the resort to become a year-round attraction and the indoor elements proposed in the new themed land would help this transition. This ‘evolution’ will add to the attractiveness of the resort to guests and will help to ‘smooth’ the visitor number profile, potentially reducing the summer peak and spreading this into other months.”
Chessington first opened to the public as a zoo in 1931. It was later transformed into a theme park and now has more than 1,000 animals in its zoo and sealife centre, over 40 rides and attractions, two themed hotels and a Go Ape course. Merlin has wider plans to improve Chessington by opening a new waterpark with themed water slides, wave, infinity and spa pools, lazy and rapid rivers, an aqua play area, a splash pad, safari ‘beach’, cabanas, a snack bar and café. It submitted plans last year to expand the resort’s safari hotel to build the waterpark in a bid to rival the likes of Disney and Universal Studios. The council will decide on this application in due course.
£1 MILLION YEAR-LONG INVESTMENT INTO SPORTS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE DURING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
By Noah Vickers Local Democracy Reporter
SIR SADIQ Khan has announced a £1m year-long investment into sports activities for young people during the school holidays, in a bid to “divert” them from violence.
The mayor’s funding will start this Easter and will support almost 2,000 young Londoners at up to 20 communityled projects across the capital, working in partnership with his Violence Reduction Unit (VRU).
It comes after the Metropolitan Police confirmed last week that it will have to lose 1,700 officers, PCSOs and staff – and cut a number of services – as it faces a £260m hole in its budget for the coming year.
Sir Sadiq has blamed the situation on
the previous Conservative government’s austerity programme, while stressing that the new Labour government had put forward “record” investment.
The mayor also insists that his VRU has made a substantial impact in preventing young people from becoming involved in violent crime, through targeted programmes and boosting access to youth clubs. The latest scheme will provide “diversionary activities” to “support young people during the school break when evidence shows they are more vulnerable to exploitation and to violence”, according to City Hall.
“My top priority is to be tough on violence and tough on its complex causes to build a safer London for everyone,” said Sir Sadiq.
“I have been clear that we can’t arrest our way out of this issue and that’s why
a key part of my approach to tackling violence is investing in prevention and positive opportunities for young people, at the same time as providing record investment in policing for enforcement.
“My Violence Reduction Unit is investing a further £1m for sports and physical activities during the holidays and beyond, delivering on my commitment to provide a further 250,000 positive opportunities for young people and access to youth clubs and hubs.”
Alongside funding for holiday provision, the mayor’s investment in sport over the next year will support a further 1,000 young people who may struggle with the transition from primary to secondary school, by providing them with access to a trusted mentor.
Sir Sadiq’s office said the funding will also provide internships for young
people at major sporting organisations such as the Lawn Tennis Association, GB Snowsport and Formula E.
“Sport and physical activity play hugely important roles in a young person’s life, providing opportunities to develop skills, teamwork and access to positive role models in coaches and youth workers,” said VRU director Lib Peck.
“Working with the mayor, we’re funding a range of activities and opportunities for young people during the holidays when we know they are at greatest risk of exploitation and violence.
“Prevention and delivering thousands of positive activities for young people is critical to tackling violence and whilst our work is having impact, it’s clear there is more to do. We’re committed to working in partnership across London to keep young people safe because we believe
violence is preventable, not inevitable.” Londoners can find out how to access funded opportunities, activities and mentoring places, by visiting the Local Village Network app and signposting website: www.lvn.org.uk/summer
© London Assembly
Lib Peck, director of London’s Violence Reduction Unit.
Merlin has wider plans to improve Chessington by opening a new waterpark
THE BOROUGHS WHERE IT COULD TAKE 100 YEARS TO CLEAR FAMILY-SIZED HOME LIST
By Noah Vickers Local Democracy Reporter
THE WAITING list for a familysized social rented home in some London boroughs would now take over a century to clear completely at the current rate of progress, new research has found
An analysis by the National Housing Federation found that families waiting for properties with three or more bedrooms in Westminster, Enfield or Merton, would all have to wait over 100 years to get a home, assuming nobody new joined the list at a higher priority level and they were at the bottom of it.
Westminster topped the national chart with an estimated 107 years required to clear the waiting list for family-sized homes, while Enfield was estimated at 105 years, and Merton at 102 years.
The average estimate across London was much lower however, at 27 years, and the average across England –including London – was seven years
Kate Henderson, the NHF’s chief executive, said: “The fact that families in so many parts of the country face
By Harrison Galliven
Local Democracy Reporter
THERE ARE fresh calls to overhaul two major South London rail stations as part of a review into the ‘critical’ Brighton Mainline.
MPs say ‘urgent’ changes are needed to eliminate delays on the rail line and increase capacity at East Croydon and Norwood Junction stations.
The call follows a debate in Parliament on March 31, which brought renewed attention to the Croydon Area Remodelling Scheme (CARS), designed to alleviate the ongoing issues plaguing the Brighton Main Line
The Brighton Main Line, a key route between London and the South Coast, remains the busiest and most complex part of the UK’s rail network. East Croydon station is notorious for its lack of capacity and overcrowding despite being a key hub station used by commuters and those accessing the Gatwick Express
Furthermore, the complex junctions north of the station, dubbed the Selhurst Triangle, have caused significant delays and cancellations for years. The Croydon bottleneck has long hindered the efficiency of the rail network, impacting both journey times and the ability to meet growing demand.
Initially proposed in 2020, the CARS project aimed to relieve the bottleneck, delivering a faster, more reliable service with improved connectivity across the coast-to-capital region. However, the scheme faced delays, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in passenger behaviour, and funding constraints, leaving its future uncertain.
Natasha Irons, the Labour MP for Croydon East, and Peter Lamb, MP for Crawley, are now calling for a renewed assessment of the scheme. During the debate, they argued that without additional capacity, efforts to improve punctuality or expand service routes
waiting lists for an affordable home longer than their children’s entire childhood is a national scandal.
“Security, stability and the space to learn and play is vital for a child’s development, yet we are allowing hundreds of thousands of children to grow up in damaging temporary homes, in cramped and poor-quality conditions and with little privacy. This is no way for a child to grow up and these children deserve better.”
The NHF’s data comes after the Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed in January that the total number of households on waiting lists for social housing in London last year hit the highest level for more than a decade.
A total of 336,366 households were waiting home in the capital as of April 1, 2024.
In a joint message with the charities Crisis and Shelter, the NHF has called on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to put major investment into social housing in her spending review in June.
“Every day our frontline services hear from desperate parents forced into impossible situations,” said
Mairi MacRae, director of policy and campaigns at Shelter. “Families squeezed into single room temporary accommodation, with nowhere for children to play or do homework.
“Key workers uprooted from their jobs and communities because there are simply no homes they can afford nearby. Childhoods are being lost to homelessness and it’s costing the country billions.
“The June Spending Review is the government’s chance to right this wrong. By committing to serious investment in social housing – building 90,000 social homes a year for a decade – we can end the housing emergency, save public money, and give every child the foundation they need to thrive.”
A spokesman for London Councils – the capital’s local government association –said in response to the NHF’s research:
“The growing number of Londoners stuck on waiting lists for social housing is evidence of the capital’s worsening housing and homelessness emergency.
“With one in 50 Londoners homeless, boroughs are doing everything we can to build the affordable homes
our communities are crying out for. However, we are also struggling with enormous resource constraints and immense challenges to housing delivery in London.
“Boroughs are determined to turn the situation around. We are strongly pro-housing growth and committed to working with the Government to boost housebuilding in the capital. Increased and sustained long-term investment in affordable housing is key to making this happen.”
A spokesman at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government responded: “The findings of this report highlight the scale and devastating impact of the social housing crisis we’ve inherited.
“We’re taking urgent action to fix this through our Plan for Change, injecting £2 billion to help deliver the biggest boost in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation, investing in homelessness services, and bringing forward overdue reforms to the Right to Buy scheme that will protect the stock of existing social housing.”
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook
also pointed out in answer to a recent written question on the topic: “The number of households on the housing register (waiting list) is not the same as the number of households waiting.
“Local authorities periodically review their registers to remove households who no longer require housing, so the total number of households on housing registers may overstate the number of households who still require social housing at any one time.”
THE TOP TEN
The NHF’s ‘top ten’ local authorities across England, in terms of estimated time to clear the waiting list for a home with three bedrooms or more, is as follows:
East MP Natasha Irons said: “The CARS is not just good for Croydon. It’s good for
would be severely limited, potentially stifling economic growth in the region.
They also highlighted the renewal of Gatwick Airport and the government’s shift towards greater public ownership of the rail network as proof that the time for a review is now.
The expansion of Gatwick Airport is expected to create 14,000 new jobs and generate £1 billion annually for the UK economy. The government has also outlined plans to increase the proportion of passengers arriving at the airport by public transport from 44% to 54%.
Both MPs argue that delaying the CARS scheme would hinder this growth and impact the regions between London, Crawley, and Gatwick.
Irons believes the project would also help facilitate the development of the Croydon Opportunity Area, which is earmarked for 14,500 new homes and 10,500 new jobs by 2041. She added that improving East Croydon and Norwood Junction stations would provide a much-needed boost to the regional and national economy while modernising the infrastructure to meet future passenger demand.
Irons said: “The need for investment in Croydon’s rail infrastructure has not gone away,” said Natasha Irons.
“If anything, the expansion of Gatwick Airport makes addressing the capacity challenges at East Croydon station even more critical. Resuming the CARS project would increase capacity at East Croydon and provide step-free access at Norwood Junction. This is not just good for Croydon; it’s good for the entire southeast.”
Peter Lamb added: “Many Crawley residents depend on the Brighton Main Line for their daily commute, and the
service they face is becoming more cramped and unreliable every year. Without investment, conditions will continue to worsen, and by 2040, there may not be any space left for passengers at all. That’s why I’m fighting for this investment—and I will continue fighting until it’s secured.”
In response to the calls, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport Simon Lightwood said: “I regret that I am not able to comment on individual projects such as the Croydon area remodelling scheme until the spending review has concluded in June.”
Croydon
what’s on
Eleanor Hill overshares
‘It’s not funny,’ she said through the giggles,’
IN 2022 I reviewed Sadvents - a brilliant one-woman play written and performed by Eleanor Hill who shared all the horrors of her life, which involved abusive boyfriends, parental divorce and a mum dying. It was equally as horrifying as it was hilarious, writes Michael Holland.
Last week, Eleanor made contact to say she had a new show that brings us up to date with her life. I was hoping Ms Hill had oversome her problems, purged her life of bad people and found happiness. Sadly, no; she went temporarily blind in one eye, which led to surgeons finding a massive cyst on her brain and performing surgery: ‘The horrors persist,’ she says with a sigh.
Of course, though, with her unique style, she had me in stitches when we met to talk about the past few years and her new show, Overshare, which will get a three-week run in Greenwich Theatre. She laughs a lot, for a reason.
Eleanor believes her desire to perform began at primary school, aged 6, when the class were doing an extract from James and the Giant Peach. The script said her character was drinking lemonade but she was asked to ‘mime’ the act of drinking. This caused our star to have a ‘huge coughing fit’, which meant the teacher had to go and fetch water, allowing the Year 3 diva to continue with the scene but without having to mime. That piece of genius adlibbing led to Bath Spa University and a Masters at E15 Acting School.
Having never studied writing in her education, Eleanor has found her own
style, and that entails going out for walks while filming her streams of consciousness ramblings as they randomly occur. She then views the footage at home. ‘Some is absolute sh*t,’ she laughs, ‘and some of it’s gold.’ It is the gold that is put into her plays/ performances. She feels that this method helps her both as an actor and a writer.
The writing and performing is therapeutic for Eleanor. The violent boyfriend from before has now been expunged from her life, but there have been others who will no doubt be metaphorically dragged around the stage in Overshare.
‘Yes, it is therapy and I’m fine with that… Hopefully, one day I will make money and that will pay for my therapy bills and I will have the last laugh.’ This was a cue for an infectious chuckle that you can’t help joining in with. This seemed like the ideal time to bring up the brain problem.
‘I was in the office at work when out of the blue I lost complete vision in my left eye - Terrifying! I went into shock, shaking and distressed - “I’m blind!” When she calmed down she planned to go home and ponder the rest of her life with half-vision, but her colleagues sensibly called an ambulanc. At the hospital they could not work out the cause. Her sight returned and was replaced by searing headaches and face muscles sagging like a stroke victim.
An MRI scan found the ‘huge, Grade 3, arachnoid cyst’ on the left side of her brain and a cavernoma on the other side.’
I was hoping Eleanor didn’t laugh this time because I didn’t want to join in. Sitting before a young woman telling me about
all these unwanted growths in her skull was not a laughing matter. Thankfully, she continued with tales of further episodes of blindness and head pain and then the neuro-surgery. This included drilling into the skull to monitor what was going on in there and to release any pressure. Eleanor expects more brain surgery before the year’s end, which spurred me on to say, ‘Next year’s show will be a blinder!’ Laughing was back on the menu.
‘It’s not funny,’ she said through the giggles, ‘it’s very, very traumatising, but
the dark humour has been a gift. It’s the only way to get through.’
The script for Overshare is 50% new stuff and the rest is fine-tuned and streamlined from Sadvents. Eleanor says that the team she is working with have helped her with dramaturgy, so Overshare will be a lot less random.
She was keen to mention Rachel Thomas(Associate Producer & Support Worker) who is there ‘to make sure I don’t go insane… She ensures that I get therapy along with everything else that has to be
Exploring themes of loneliness, desire, and
AFTER TWO completely sold-out seasons in 2023 and 2024, this compelling and provocative play by Tony Award-winning playwright Joe DiPietro remains as relevant as ever, offering audiences a raw, intimate, and humorous look at the complexities of modern gay relationships, writes Luigia Minichiello.
A contemporary reimagining of Schnitzler’s La Ronde, F**king Men follows ten men through a series of interwoven, erotic, and emotionally charged encounters that reveal their struggles with love, sex, identity, and connection. DiPietro’s script balances sharp wit with poignant insight, exploring the tension between monogamy and sexual freedom in today’s world. At its core, this play is about connection. It opens with a glimpse into the lives of the characters who will intertwine throughout the 90-minute show. The first scene presents an army recruit
experiencing his first sexual encounter with a man, driven by the uncertainty of his future. His internal struggle with desire and societal expectations leads to an explosive moment of violence, which ultimately gives way to an apology and the realization that casual sex with men
doesn’t require the same emotional investment as dating women.
The play seamlessly shifts between various familiar male archetypes, all played with skill and nuance: the selfish student, the bumbling professor, the older man seeking companionship, the closeted
done; she makes sure I get a break and am organised…’ Rachel sounds crucial to this operation where Eleanor is producing, writing and performing.
Adding more phone use into the show will, Eleanor hopes, bring in people who don’t think theatre is for them. Each show is relaxed, people can come and go, they can take photos and videos and livestream it: ‘They can send jokes while I’m jumping around and talking about my dead mum, which is ridiculous in itself but that’s how social media works’.
Overshare is a show that can evolve and grow as long as Eleanor Hill evolves and grows, and updating it every year is something that crosses her mind. She jokes about a ‘Me and My Cyst’ working title.
However, she has been commissioned by Camden People’s Theatre to write for them, so that could throw up something different. Plus, there are hopes to tour Overshare after the Greenwich run, and, astonishingly, she talked herself into a marketing job at Greenwich Theatre. ‘When I came to talk to James Haddrell (Artistic Director) about putting my play on here, I told him I had worked in marketing and he gave me a job!’
But for now, Eleanor Hill is preparing Overshare and urges the audience to keep their phones turned on to interact with the show. This is theatre as you’ve never known it before.
Greenwich Theatre Studio Space, Crooms Hill, SE10 8EX from May 6th - 25th. Tuesday - Saturday 7.45pm; Sunday 5pm. Admission: £13.50, £11. Booking and full details: www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk @iameleanorhill @greenwichtheatre @oversharetheplay
vulnerability
journalist, the actor hesitant to come out, the confident porn star, and the struggling playwright. Each character grapples with the expectations of gay culture— should they embrace promiscuity or seek monogamous love? Is sleeping around a requirement for a gay man, or is it possible to find stability? Ultimately, all of them seek deeper connection and love. The play offers a cheeky nod to the ongoing pronoun debate when the writer character fumbles over how to introduce himself—queen, cis boy, gay—before settling on the safest option: “cocksucker.”
Meanwhile, older characters try to impart wisdom to their younger counterparts, stressing that true intimacy goes beyond bed-hopping. Yet, younger characters see long-term relationships as dull— suggesting that sex toys might help, only to dismiss the idea as something “straight couples do.”
A particularly striking scene features an actor on the verge of coming out before a major film release, facing pressure from a
closeted reporter to stay silent. This moment underscores the persistent struggles of LGBTQ+ figures in the public eye.
Waterloo East Theatre’s intimate setting amplifies the play’s impact, with minimal yet effective staging highlighting strong performances and sharp dialogue. Though the American accents weren’t always convincing, the play’s themes remain universal. While humorous and playful at times, the play does not shy away from exploring themes of loneliness, desire, and vulnerability. Whether exploring fleeting encounters or long-term commitments, F**king Men is ultimately about the desire to connect and find opportunities for love in life.
Waterloo East Theatre, Brad Street London SE1 8TN until 4th May. Times: Tues - Fri 7.30pm; Sat - 4pm & 7.30pm; Sun - 2pm & 6pm (No 6pm performance Sun March 23). Admission: £28 - £42. www.waterlooeast.co.uk
© M Holland
© Michaela Walshe
Heading south - our pick of upcoming spring events
West Norwood Feast- back on 6th April
The food fair and artisans’ market with over 100 market stalls, re-starts on Sunday 6th April and runs until December. You can expect street food, drink, arts, crafts, vintage items and more. It’s all run by community volunteers with a goal of celebrating local talent.
Date: Back on 6th April
Time: 10am-4pm
Norwood Road, London, United Kingdom, SE27 https://westnorwoodfeast.com/
The Wizard of Oz Easter Panto at Broadway Theatre:
Enchanted Entertainment brings L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz to the Broadway Theatre in Catford this Easter. It stars Britain’s Got Talent finalist Steve Royale as Scarecrow and The X Factor and Celebrity Big Brother’s Stevi Richie as Tin Man.
Date: Wednesday 16th April
Time: Various Times
Length: 135 minutes
Tickets: £22-24
Broadway Theatre, Rushey Green, London, SE6 4RU https://www.broadwaytheatre.org.uk/events/the-wizard-of-oz-easter-panto
Free Crafternoon at The Gerald Moor Gallery
A free family friendly afternoon of creativity and crafting, giving your family the opportunity to explore your artistic side. Children need to be supervised by adults and wear clothing you don’t mind getting messy in.
Date: Saturday 26th April
Time: 1:30-3:30pm
Tickets: Free, available on Eventbrite Email info@geraldmoregallery.org for more info Gerald Moore Gallery, Mottingham Lane, London, SE9 4RW
Free Crafternoon at The Gerald Moor Gallery
A free family friendly afternoon of creativity and crafting, giving your family the opportunity to explore your artistic side. Children need to be supervised by adults and wear clothing you don’t mind getting messy in.
Date: Saturday 26th April
Time: 1:30-3:30pm
Tickets: Free, available on Eventbrite Email info@geraldmoregallery.org for more info
Gerald Moore Gallery, Mottingham Lane, London, SE9 4RW
Central Cee at the O2
Central Cee and special guests come to the O2 in April as part of his Can’t Rush Greatness 2025 world tour. Cant Rush Greatness is Central Cee’s debut studio album, which was released earlier this year.
Date: Thursday 24th April
Time: 6:30pm
Tickets: From £60
The O2, Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX https://www.axs.com/uk/events/829803/central-cee-tickets
History
THERE USED TO BE 37 PUBS ON OLD KENT ROAD, NOW THERE’S ONLY TWO
By Evie Flynn
IN THE late Victorian period, Old Kent Road had 37 pubs open for business. However, since changes in the law, environment, and social habits, only two pubs remain: The Lord Nelson and The Windsor.
Old Kent Road runs from Bricklayers Arms in Bermondsey to Peckham and served as an important coaching route to both the City of Westminster and the City of London, making the road a prime spot for pubs and beer houses.
It has been a road since Roman times and was made famous in Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales as the route from Southwark to Canterbury which was used by his pilgrims.
John Tweedy, from TweedyPubs on YouTube, uncovered the locations of these 37 pubs and visited their modern sites, which are now either other businesses or other forms of infrastructure.
John meticulously cross-referenced Ordinance Survey (OS) maps from the 1890s to those from the mid 1900s. Some side roads don’t exist anymore, or have been built over, so John relied on educated guesses for some of the historic pub locations.
THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN
The World Turned Upside (previously 145 Old Kent Road) was a pub that has changed frequently over the years.
It used to be lavishly decorated in the early twentieth century with nods to Indo-Saracenic architecture (such as the Brighton Pavillion). You can even
There is a belief that the pub got its name as it was on the site of a holding station for criminals being deported to Australia.
It was rebuilt in the inter-war period, and you can see the change in brickwork style where further floors have been added. It shut it doors in 2009, and was replaced with a Domino’s pizza parlour in 2012.
THE BRIGHTON
The Brighton was situated at 8 Old Kent Road, on the corner of Buckingham Street, which no longer exists. This was a beer house in the 1890s and changed to a public house in the early 1900s. This is one of the pubs that was demolished as part of the Bricklayer Arms redevelopment at the junction with Tower Bridge Road.
KENTISH DROVERS
Another pub building that is still in use is 722 Old Kent Road, which was the
Kentish Drovers and is now a restaurant.
John discovered that it was named on the 1890 OS map instead of merely marked with a ‘PH’ for Public House, so it must have been a well-known pub.
722 Old Kent Road, the building of the Kentish Drovers. Image credit: John Tweedy.
Some elements of its latest pub building remain, although in disrepair. On the top of the building you can see a mural of drovers from Kent and thepink granite pillars on the ground floor, albeit flaking away.
SUFFOLK ARMS AND RISING SUN
At 762 Old Kent Road was the Suffolk Arms, which has now been replaced with a Lidl and at 799 was the Rising Sun, which has also been replaced with a large supermarket.
THE DUN COW
However, if you know what you’re looking for, there are a few ghosts of the pubs left behind. For example, the modern-day Dun Cow Surgery at 279 Old Kent Road got its name from The Dun Cow pub which stood in its place from 1856 to 2004.
The Dun Cow Surgery (previously the Dun Cow Pub), 279 Old Kent Road. Image
from John Tweedy.
THE BRICKLAYERS
ARMS
Some old pub buildings have been completely redeveloped. The Bricklayers Arms is now known as a junction of Tower Bridge Road, Old Kent Road, New Kent Road and Great Dover Street. There is a four-way roundabout and flyover, which was developed in the 1960s.
However, it was once the name of a thriving pub from 1844 to 1963 on the site of the development. It was previously where coaches travelling along the Old Kent Road to or from the city dropped off or picked up passengers and the construction is said to have demolished five pubs.
WHAT ARE THE REASONS BEHIND THE DECLINE OF THE PUBS?
The exact reasons for the decline of the pubs is unknown, however, John speculates that there are numerous social and cultural factors which contributed to their decline.
A number of previous pub sites are now other hospitality businesses, such as restaurants and fast food chains, perhaps signifying a chance in social habits and activities in the modern day.
The Licensing Act of 1904 (followed
by its Consolidation Act in 1910) actively sought to reduce the number of licensed premises operating in England and Wales. There was also a strong temperance movement in the early part of the twentieth century, and pub owners were subsequently offered compensation for cancelling their licenses.
On the mid 20th-century OS maps, there are numerous plots labelled as ‘ruins’ on sites we know to be previous pub locations in the early twentieth century. John attributes this to World War Two bomb damage, with authorities and owners choosing not to restore the sites into pubs.
Development escalated in the area into the 1960s and 1970s, when the Grand Surrey Canal was filled in and the Bricklayer’s Arms Roundabout and flyover was built. The closure meant that pubs near the waterway saw a decline in business from Wharf workers.
Interestingly, at least ten of the 37 pubs actually survived into the 21st century, but the smoking ban of 2007 and the Covid-19 pandemic may have since contributed to their decline.
Today, just the Windsor and the Lord Nelson remain on the Old Kent Road and survive amidst an era of uncertainty for pubs.
The Lord Nelson, 386 Old Kent Road
The Bricklayers Arms, 1963
The World Turned Upside down in circa 1910
© John Tweedy
The World Turned Upside down in circa 2000
The World Turned Upside down in circa 2024
‘The Brighton Boys’ about to embark on a visit to Hastings, 1921
WANTED RECORDS
ROCK, POP, PUNK, INDIE, REGGAE, SOUL...
Call: 07956 832314 / 020 8677 6907 Or Email: vinylwanted@aol.com
Southwark Pensioners’ Centre
Supporting older people in Southwark for over 35 years.
Offering advice, support, activities, rooms for hire and a voice for older people
Contact us on 020 7708 4556 or info@southwarkpensioners.org.uk
Or pop into 305 -307 Camberwell rd, Camberwell Green, SE5 0HQ
EXPERIENCED BAR STEWARD/STEWARDESS
Required for a local social club, hours to be negotiated
Please contact Terry Walker 020 7237 6154 Mondays, Tuesdays and Friday ONLY
Funeral Announcement PAMELA RITA WEBB
Peacefully passed away in her sleep on 27/03/2025 at the age of 84.
Leaving behind her beloved husband Jim daughters Mandy and Wendy grandchildren Dean, Zoe and Emily and Great Grandchildren Max, Lexi, Elliot, Summer, Storm, Teddy and Maya.
A wonderful lady sadly missed by all.
Funeral service to be held on Monday 14th April at 11am at Mary Magdelen church Bermondsey S.E.1. 3.U.W then onto Honor Oak Crematorium at 1pm Wake to be held at The Victoria pub Pages Walk from 2.30 onwards.
8299 2623
To place a funeral announcement, birthday, death notice, birth, anniversary or memorial in the paper, please email katie@cm-media.co.uk
Announcements must be placed by 4pm on the Tuesday before that week's publication
Transport for London Public Notice
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984
THE A4 GLA ROAD (HAMMERSMITH FLYOVER) (LONDON BOROUGH OF HAMMERSMITH AND FULHAM) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC) ORDER 2025
1. Transport for London hereby gives notice that it intends to make the above named Trafc Order under section 14(1) of the Road Trafc Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose specied in paragraph 2. The effect of the Order is summarised in paragraph 3.
2. The purpose of the Order is to enable signal detector works to take place on the A4 Hammersmith Flyover.
3. The effect of the Order will be to prohibit any vehicle from entering, exiting or proceeding eastbound on A4 Hammersmith Flyover between its junctions with Hammersmith Bridge and Talgarth Road. The Order will be effective from 16th April 2025 until 26th April, every night from 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM or when the works have been completed whichever is the sooner. The prohibition will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall from time to time be indicated by trafc signs.
4. The prohibitions will not apply in respect of:
(1) any vehicle being used for the purposes of those works or for re brigade, ambulance or police purposes;
(2) anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or a person authorised by Transport for London.
5. At such times as the prohibitions are in force alternative routes will be indicated by trafc signs via Hammersmith Bridge Road, Hammersmith Road, Butterwick, Talgarth Road to normal route of travel.
Dated this 9th day of April 2025
Paul Matthews
Co-ordination Manager, Transport for London Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ
Transport for London Public Notice
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984
THE GLA ROADS AND GLA SIDE ROADS (LEWISHAM) RED ROUTE CONSOLIDATION TRAFFIC ORDER 2008 A20 GLA ROAD (LEE HIGH ROAD) VARIATION ORDER 2025 THE GLA ROAD (LEWISHAM) (BUS PRIORITY) CONSOLIDATION ORDER 2009 A20 GLA ROAD (LEE HIGH ROAD) VARIATION ORDER 2025
1. Transport for London hereby gives notice that on 4th April 2025 it made the above named Orders, under section 6 of the Road Trafc Regulation Act 1984. The Order will come into force on 14th April 2025.
2. The roads which would be affected by the Orders are the A20 GLA Road Lee High Road and GLA Side Roads Old Road and Lenham Road in the London Borough of Lewisham.
3. The general nature and effects of the Orders will be:
(1) Remove the Parking and Disabled Persons’ Vehicle Bay outside Nos.320324Lee High Road replacing it with double red lines (no stopping at any time);
(2) Convert the single red lines (No Stopping Mon-Sat 7am-7pm) into double red lines (No Stopping At Any Time) at the northern kerbline of Lee High Road between Nos.211-215, Nos.231-295 and 303-315 Lee High Road;
(3) Convert the single red lines (No Stopping Mon-Sat 7am-7pm) into double red lines (No Stopping At Any Time) at the southern kerbline of Lee High Road between No.230 and adjacent to No.368 Lee High Road;
(4) Convert the single red lines (No Stopping Mon-Sat 7am-7pm) into double red lines (No Stopping At Any Time) on Lenham Road and Old Road;
(5) Remove the Loading, Unloading and Disabled Persons’ Vehicle Bays outside Nos.311-315 and No.350 Lee High Road replacing it with double red lines (no stopping at any time);
(6) Extend the south-eastbound bus lane on the A20 Lee High Road between its junction with Lee Park to No.309 Lee High Road by 140 metres at its western end, operating Mon-Sun At Any Time permitting buses, dial a ride buses, taxis and pedal cyclists and solo motorcycles.
4. A copy of the Order, a map indicating the location and effect of the Order and copies of any Order revoked, suspended or varied by the Order can be inspected by visiting our website at https://haveyoursay.t.gov.uk/tro and selecting the relevant borough and reference the Trafc Order relates to or by appointment during normal ofce hours at our ofce at the address below. To arrange an appointment please email trafcordersection@t,gov.uk. Copies of the documents may be requested via email at trafcordersection@t,gov.uk, by post at the following address quoting reference NMR/REGULATION/STOT/SW/TRO/GLA/2025/0032-0033:
•Transport for London Streets Trafc Order Team (NP/REGULATION/STOT)
Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road London, SE1 8NJ
Please note due to hybrid working access to post is restricted and requests for documents may be delayed.
5. Any person wishing to question the validity of the Order or of any of its provisions on the grounds that they are not within the relevant powers conferred by the Act or that any requirement of the Act has not been complied with, that person may, within six weeks from the date on which the Order is made, make application for the purpose to the High Court Dated this 11th April 2025
Matt Standell
Planning and Performance Manager
Transport for London, Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ
Transport for London Public Notice
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984
THE A302 GLA ROAD (GROSVENOR GARDENS, CITY OF WESTMINSTER) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC) ORDER 2025
1. Transport for London hereby gives notice that it has made the above named Trafc Order under section 14(1) of the Road Trafc Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose specied in paragraph 2. The effect of the Order is summarised in paragraph 3.
2. The purpose of the Order is to enable crane operation works to take place on the A302 Grosvenor Gardens.
3. The effect of the Order will be to prohibit any vehicle from entering, exiting or proceeding on Grosvenor Gardens between its junction with Buckingham Palace Road and Beeston Place.
The Order will be effective at certain times between 12th – 13th April 2025, 26th -27th April 2025 and 10th – 11th May 2025, 24th – 25th May 2025, every Saturday 5:00 AM until Sunday 8:00 PM or when the works have been completed whichever is the sooner. The prohibitions will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall from time to time be indicated by trafc signs.
4. The prohibitions will not apply in respect of:
(1) any vehicle being used for the purposes of those works or for re brigade, ambulance or police purposes;
(2) anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or a person authorised by Transport for London.
5. At such times as the prohibitions are in force alternative routes will be indicated by trafc signs via Victoria Street, Vauxhall Bridge Road, Neathouse Place, Bridge Place, Eccleston Bridge, Buckingham Palace Road and Grosvenor Gardens to normal route of travel. For vehicles >18T via Buckingham Palace Road, Pimlico Road, Lower Sloane Street, Sloane Square, Cliveden Place, Eaton Gate, Eaton Square and Hobart Place to normal route of travel.
Dated this 11th day of April 2025
Paul Matthews Co-ordination and Permitting Area Manager Transport for London, Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ
Notice of application for a Premises Licence.
Take notice that I: ROZIKHEL SEFATULLAH. have made an application to Lewisham Council acting as the Licensing Authority, for a Variation of a Premises Licence in respect of BASEMENT CAFÉ, UNIT 5 BASEMENT GOLDCREST HOUSE, 32-64 LEE HIGH ROAD LONDON SE13 5HF
The details of the application are as follows: Sale by Retail of Alcohol (On Premises): Sunday – Thursday: 11:00 – 03:30 Hrs Friday – Saturday: 11:00 – 04:30 Hrs
Regulated Entertainment: (Live Music, Recorded Music): SundayThursday:23:00 – 03:30Hrs Friday – Saturday: 23:00 – 04:30 Hrs
Late Night Refreshment: Sunday – Thursday: 23:00 – 03:30 Hrs Friday – Saturday: 23:00 – 04:30 Hours
The application and the Licensing Authority’s public register can be inspected at: Lewisham Council, Safer Communities Service, 9 Holbeach Road, London, SE6 4TW by appointment between Monday to Friday (except on public holidays) and between the hours of 9.00 am to 4.00 pm; or at www.lewisham.gov.uk
The last date by which responsible authorities or other persons may make representations to the Licensing Authority in relation to this application is:30th April 2025
Any representations must be made in writing to the above address or by emailing licensing@lewisham.gov.uk
It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application and the maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary conviction is unlimited.
Notice of application for a Premises Licence.
Notice is hereby given that MRA ARON LTD has applied to Wandsworth Council for a new premises licence at PFC Grill, 76 Tooting High Street, London, SW17 0RN for Late Night Refreshment – Monday to Sunday – 23:00hrs to 02:00hrs
Any person who wishes to make a representation in relation to this application must give notice in writing by 5th May 2025 stating the grounds for making said representation to: Wandsworth Licensing Authority, Regulatory Services Partnership (Serving Merton, Richmond and Wandsworth Councils) Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 5DX or by email: licensing@merton.gov.uk
The record of this application may be inspected Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays) by prior appointment at the offices of Wandsworth Licensing Authority, Regulatory Services Partnership (Serving Merton, Richmond and Wandsworth Councils) Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden,Surrey, SM4 5DX between the hours of 10.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m.
Information on all new and variation applications received by the Licensing Authority can be viewed on the Council’s website www.wandsworth.gov.uk
It is an offence, under section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003, to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in or in connection with an application, punishable upon conviction by an unlimited fine.
LICENSING ACT 2003
Notice of application for a Premises Licence.
Name of Applicant or Club: The Boardroom Climbing LTD // WK/202487661
Address of Premises: Units 221-226 Wimbledon Quarter, 4 Queen’s Road, Wimbledon, Merton, SW19 8ND
Date: 03/04/25
For: The sale or retail of alcohol
Proposed hours of Operation: 12:00 – 22:00 Mon-Fri, 12:00-20:00 Sat & Sun
REPRESENTATIONS SHOULD BE MADE IN WRITING WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THE ABOVE DATE TO: Licensing Section, London Borough of Merton, Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 5DX or by email to licensing@merton.gov.uk
Persons wishing to inspect the licensing register may do so, by appointment, at the above address between the hours of 09:00 - 17:00 Monday to Thursday and 09:00 - 16:30 Friday.
Note: It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application. A person guilty of such offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine.
Section 17 Licensing Act 2003
Licensing Act 2003: Application for a new Premises Licence
Notice is hereby given that BARINGA PARTNERS LLP has applied to the City of Westminster on 02/04/2025 for a new premises licence for Baringa Partners, 6th Floor, 62 Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E 6AJ
The proposed application is to permit Sale of Alcohol by Retail (On Sales Only) Monday to Sunday 11:00 – 22:00
Any person who wishes to make a representation in relation to this application must give notice in writing of his/her representation by 30/04/2025 stating the grounds for making said representation to: Licensing Service, Westminster City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, London SW1E 5QP
The public register where applications are available to be viewed by members of the public can be accessed online by visiting at www.westminster.gov.uk/Licensing and following the link to the public register.
The Licensing Authority must receive representations by the date given above. The Licensing Authority will have regard to any such representation in considering the application. It is an offence, under section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003, to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in or in connection with an application for premises licence and the maximum fine on being convicted of such an offence is £5000.
Applicant’s Agent: Knight Training UK Ltd. 0330 999 3199 info@knighttraining.co.uk knight.training
Notice of application for a Premises Licence.
Notice is hereby given that ENCORE SPACES LTD has applied to Wandsworth Council for a new premises licence at Encore Kitchens, 76 Stewarts Road, London, SW8 4DE for Late Night Refreshment – Monday to Sunday – 23:00hrs to 02:00hrs
Any person who wishes to make a representation in relation to this application must give notice in writing by 1ST May 2025 stating the grounds for making said representation to: Wandsworth Licensing Authority, Regulatory Services Partnership (Serving Merton, Richmond and Wandsworth Councils) Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 5DX or by email: licensing@merton.gov.uk
The record of this application may be inspected Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays) by prior appointment at the offices of Wandsworth Licensing Authority, Regulatory Services Partnership (Serving Merton, Richmond and Wandsworth Councils) Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden,Surrey, SM4 5DX between the hours of 10.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. Information on all new and variation applications received by the Licensing Authority can be viewed on the Council’s website www.wandsworth.gov.uk
It is an offence, under section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003, to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in or in connection with an application, punishable upon conviction by an unlimited fine.
Transport for London Public Notice
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT
1984
THE GLA ROAD (MERTON) (BUS PRIORITY) CONSOLIDATION ORDER 2009
A297 GLA ROAD (ST HELIER AVENUE) VARIATION ORDER 2025
THE GLA ROADS AND GLA SIDE ROADS (MERTON) CONSOLIDATION TRAFFIC ORDER 2007 A297 GLA ROAD (ST HELIER AVENUE) VARIATION
ORDER 2025
THE GLA ROADS AND GLA SIDE ROADS (SUTTON) CONSOLIDATION TRAFFIC ORDER 2008 A297 GLA ROAD (ST HELIER AVENUE) VARIATION ORDER 2025
1. Transport for London hereby gives notice that on 4th April 2025 it made the above named Orders, under section 6 of the Road Trafc Regulation Act 1984.
The Order will come into force on 14th April 2025.
2. The roads which would be affected by the Orders are the A297 GLA Road St Helier Avenue and GLA Side Road Bristol Road in the London Borough of Merton.
3. The general nature and effects of the Orders will be to:
(1) Remove Parking and Disabled Persons’ Vehicle Bay outside No.41 St Helier Avenue;
(2) Relocate the existing Loading, Unloading and Disabled Persons’ Vehicle Bay outside Nos49-51 St Helier Avenue to outside No.41 St Helier Avenue, operating No Stopping Mon-Sat 7am-7pm except 10am-4pm loading 20 minutes or disabled persons’ vehicle to park for a maximum of 3 hours. Double red controls will be adjusted to reect the change;
(3) introduce a new southbound bus lane on the A297 St Helier Avenue between its junction with Boxley Road and outside No.231 St Helier Avenue, operating Mon-Sun At Any Time permitting buses, dial a ride buses, taxis, motorcycles and pedal cycles;
(4) introduce a new southbound bus lane on the A297 St Helier Avenue between No.265 to No.339 St Helier Avenue, operating Mon-Sun At Any Time permitting buses, dial a ride buses, taxis, motorcycles and pedal cycles;
(5) introduce a new northbound bus lane on the A297 St Helier Avenue between No.264 to No.356 St Helier Avenue, operating Mon-Sun At Any Time permitting buses, dial a ride buses, taxis, motorcycycles and pedal cycles;
(6) Extend the existing northbound bus lane on the A297 St Helier Avenue between No.20 to No.146 St Helier Avenue by 374 metres at its southern end, operating Mon-Sun At Any Time permitting buses, dial a ride buses, taxis, motorcycycles and pedal cycles;
(7) Convert the single red lines(No Stopping Mon-Sat 7am-7pm) into double red lines(No Stopping At Any Time) on the western kerb-line of St Helier Avenue between its junction with Bristol Road and adjacent to No.142 St Helier.
(8) Convert the single red lines(No Stopping Mon-Sat 7am-7pm) into double red lines(No Stopping At Any Time) on the eastern kerb-line of St Helier Avenue outside No.259 to No.265 St Helier Avenue;
(9) Shorten the existing Loading, Unloading and Disabled Persons’ Vehicle Bay opposite No.374 St Helier Avenue by 7 metres at its northern end. Double red lines will be adjusted to reect the change;
(10) Convert the single red lines(No Stopping Mon-Sat 7am-7pm) into double red lines(No Stopping At Any Time) at the southern kerb-line of Bristol Road and southern kerb-line of the un-named Road adjacent to No.142 St Helier Avenue.
4. A copy of the Order, a map indicating the location and effect of the Order and copies of any Order revoked, suspended or varied by the Order can be inspected by visiting our website at https://haveyoursay.t.gov.uk/tro and selecting the relevant borough and reference the Trafc Order relates to or by appointment during normal ofce hours at our ofce at the address below. To arrange an appointment please email trafcordersection@t,gov.uk. Copies of the documents may be requested via email at trafcordersection@t,gov.uk, by post at the following address quoting reference NMR/REGULATION/STOT/SW/TRO/GLA/2025/0029-0031:
•Transport for London Streets Trafc Order Team (NP/REGULATION/STOT)
Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road London, SE1 8NJ
Please note due to hybrid working access to post is restricted and requests for documents may be delayed
5. Any person wishing to question the validity of the Order or of any of its provisions on the grounds that they are not within the relevant powers conferred by the Act or that any requirement of the Act has not been complied with, that person may, within six weeks from the date on which the Order is made, make application for the purpose to the High Court Dated this 11th April 2025
Matt Standell
Planning and Performance Manager
Transport for London, Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ
SW4 0HN Conversion of the
retrospective). 25/00880/FUL
Highland Road London Lambeth SE19
residential development comprising 16 residential units (updated
25/00241/FUL 79 - 87 Westminster Bridge Road London SE1 7HR Variation of conditions
Impact Assessment), 6 (verification report), 11 (ground floor slab), 12 (BREEAM New Construction 2018), 13 (Energy Strategy), 14 (National Calculation Method), 15 (Whole Life Carbon Statement), 16 (post-construction tab), 18 (Flood Warning and Evacuation Plan), 20 (waste and recycling storage), 21 (cycle parking), 25 (schedule of all materials), 26 (detailed construction drawings), 37 (scheme of noise and vibration), 44 (ground floor slab) and 46 (scheme of noise insulation and mitigation) of Planning Appeal Ref: APP/N5660/W/23/3335892 of Planning Application Ref: 20/03539/FUL (Erection of a ground plus 14-storey building (plus two basement levels) comprising gym (Class E) at basement level, retail (Class E) at ground floor, office (Class E) at first floor, light industrial (Class E) at second
and
associated cycle parking, servicing, all necessary enabling works and associated highways improvements.) granted on 11.06.2024 25/00871/VOC
6 Burnbury Road London SW12 0EJ Erection of a single storey ground floor rear/side extension. 25/00905/FUL
Dated this Friday 11th April 2025
Rob Bristow Director - Planning, Transport & Sustainability Climate and Inclusive Growth Directorate
LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 16A
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE VOLTAIRE ROAD FOR BIG SHIFT SOCIAL EVENTS
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, to enable social events in connection with the “Big Shift”, car free events to take place in Voltaire Road, the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth, with the agreement of Transport for London, have made an Order the effect of which will be to temporarily ban vehicles from entering or waiting (including waiting for the purpose of loading and unloading a vehicle) in that length of Voltaire Road which lies between Clapham High Street and Slievemore Close on the dates specified in the schedule to this notice.
2. The bans will only apply at such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by the placing of the appropriate traffic signs.
3. An alternative route for affected vehicles will be available via Voltaire Road, Edgeley Road and Clapham High Street.
Dated 11 April 2025 Ben Stevens Highways Network Manager SCHEDULE
1.
LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14 TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF BROMELL’S ROAD
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, to enable works involving the operation of a crane, the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth have made an Order the effect of which will be to temporarily ban vehicles from entering that length of Bromell’s Road which lies between The Pavement and Venn Street, (access for residents and cyclists will be maintained).
2. The road closure will only apply at such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by the placing of traffic signs.
3. An alternative route will be available for affected vehicles via Bromell’s Road, Stonehouse Street, Cresset Street, Clapham Manor Street, Larkhall Rise, Rectory Grove, Old Town and The Pavement.
4. The order will come
Transport for London Public Notice
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984
THE A24 GLA ROAD (LONDON ROAD, LONDON BOROUGH OF SUTTON) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC) ORDER 2025
1. Transport for London hereby gives notice that it has made the above named Trafc Order under section 14(1) of the Road Trafc Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose specied in paragraph 2. The effect of the Order is summarised in paragraph 3.
2. The purpose of the Order is to enable electric vehicle charging point installation works to take place on A24 London Road.
3. The effect of the Order will be to prohibit any vehicle from entering, exiting or proceeding on the unnamed service road fronting Nos. 816-834 A24 London Road between its junction with London Road and a point 25 metres northeastwards. Local access will be maintained on the unnamed service road between its junction with Hamilton Avenue and a point 65 metres southwestwards.
The Order will be effective at certain times between 14th April 2025 and 9th May 2025, each night, 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM or when the works have been completed whichever is the sooner. The prohibition will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall from time to time be indicated by trafc signs.
4. The prohibitions will not apply in respect of:
(1) any vehicle being used for the purposes of those works or for re brigade, ambulance or police purposes;
(2) anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or a person authorised by Transport for London.
(3) At such times as the prohibition is in force an alternative route will be indicated by trafc signs for trafc to access the unnamed service road fronting Nos.816-834 London Road via its junction with Hamilton Avenue.
Dated this 11th day of April 2025
Matt Standell Planning and Performance Manager, Transport for London, Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ
Transport for London Public Notice
POINTS) VARIATION ORDER 2025
1. Transport for London, hereby gives notice that it intends to make the above named Order under section 6 of the Road Trafc Regulation Act 1984.
2. The general nature and effect of the Order will be to:
(1) reduce the length of the parking and disabled persons vehicles bay on the unnamed service road (fronting Nos.53-61 St Helier Avenue hereafter referred to as the unnamed service road) sited outside Nos.53-61 St Helier Avenue by 20 metres from its southern end, Parking At any Time;
(2) introduce an electric vehicle charging bay on the unnamed service road outside Nos 55-57 St Helier Avenue (No Stopping At Any Time Except Charging of Electric Vehicles Only Max 1 hour no return within 2 hours);
(3) introduce an electric vehicle charging bay on the unnamed service road outside Nos 57-61 St Helier Avenue (No Stopping At Any Time Except Charging of Electric Vehicles Only Max 1 hour no return within 2 hours);
(4) introduce 24 metres of Double Red Lines on the unnamed service road, No Stopping At Any Time, outside Nos.55-63 St Helier Avenue.
3. The road which would be affected by the Order is the unnamed service road on A297 St Helier Avenue.
4. A copy of the Order, a statement of Transport for London’s reasons for the proposals, a map indicating the location and effect of the Order and copies of any Order revoked, suspended or varied by the Order can be inspected by visiting our website at https://haveyoursay.t.gov.uk/tro and selecting the relevant borough and reference the Trafc Order relates to or by appointment during normal ofce hours at our ofce at the address below. To arrange an appointment please email trafcordersection@t.gov.uk. Copies of the documents may be requested via email at trafcordersection@t.gov.uk or by post at the following address quoting reference SNO/REGULATION/STOT/RC/TRO, GLA/2025/0342
•Transport for London Streets Trafc Order Team (NMR/REGULATION/STOT)
Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road London, SE1 8NJ
5. All objections and other representations to the proposed Order must be made in writing and must specify the grounds on which they are made. Objections and representations must be sent to Transport for London, Streets Trafc Order Team, Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ or by emailing trafcordersection@t.gov.uk quoting reference SNO/REGULATION/STOT/RC/TRO, GLA/2025/0342, to arrive before 2nd May 2025. Please note due to Hybrid working access to post is restricted and requests for documents and conrmation of your objections or representations may be delayed. Objections and other representations may be communicated to other persons who may be affected.
Dated this 11th day of April 2025
Matt Standell
Performance and Planning Manager
Transport for London, Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ
Transport for London Public Notice
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT
1984
THE A2 AND A3205 GLA ROADS (OLD KENT ROAD AND BATTERSEA PARK ROAD, LONDON BOROUGHS OF SOUTHWARK AND WANDSWORTH) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC AND STOPPING) ORDER 2025
1. Transport for London hereby gives notice that it has made the above-named Trafc Order under section 14(1) of the Road Trafc Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose specied in paragraph 2. The effect of the Order is summarised in paragraph 3.
2. The purpose of the Order is to enable abnormal load movement works to take place along the A2 and A3205 Old Kent Road and Battersea Park Road.
3. The effect of the Order will be to prohibit any vehicle from:
(1) entering, exiting, proceeding or stopping on Old Kent Road between its junctions with Peckham Park Road and Commercial Way;
(2) stopping on the northern kerbline of Battersea Park Road between its junctions with Stanmer Street and Meath Street.
The Order will be effective at certain times from 7.00 PM on the 12th April 2025 until 11.59 PM on the 29th December 2025 or when the works have been completed whichever is the sooner. The prohibitions will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall from time to time be indicated by trafc signs.
4. The prohibitions will not apply in respect of:
(1) any vehicle being used for the purposes of those works or for re brigade, ambulance or police purposes;
(2) anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or a person authorised by Transport for London.
5. At such times as the prohibition is in force an alternative route will be indicated by trafc signs for vehicles travelling in a southerly direction via New Kent Road, Newington Butts, Walworth Road, Camberwell New Road, Peckham Road, Peckham High Street, Queens Road, New Cross Road, Amersham Road and Lewisham Way to normal route of travel. For vehicles travelling in a northerly direction via Queens Road, Peckham High Street, Peckham Road, Camberwell New Road, Walworth Road, Newington Butts and New Kent Road to normal direction of travel.
Dated this 11th day of April 2025 Claire Wright Co-Ordination Manager Transport for London
Transport for London Public Notice
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984
THE A3205 GLA ROAD (BATTERSEA PARK ROAD, LONDON BOROUGH OF WANDSWORTH) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF STOPPING) ORDER 2025
1. Transport for London hereby gives notice that it intends to make the above named Trafc Order under section 14(1) of the Road Trafc Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose specied in paragraph 2. The effect of the Order is summarised in paragraph 3.
2. The purpose of the Order is to enable electric vehicle charging point installation works to take place on A3205 Battersea Park Road.
3. The effect of the Order will be to prohibit any vehicle from stopping in the Parking and Disabled Persons' vehicles bay outside Bank Court, No.193 Battersea Park Road.
The Order will be effective at certain times 7:00 AM on 18th April 2025 until 7:00 PM on 18th April 2026 or when the works have been completed whichever is the sooner. The prohibition will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall from time to time be indicated by trafc signs.
4. The prohibitions will not apply in respect of:
(1) any vehicle being used for the purposes of those works or for re brigade, ambulance or police purposes;
(2) anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or a person authorised by Transport for London.
Dated this 11th day of April 2025
Matt Standell
Planning and Performance Manager, Transport for London, Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ
LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 16A TEMPORARY CLOSURE
copies of the documents please email: Trafficorders@lambeth.gov.uk
or
or
5. Any person desiring to question the validity of the Orders or of any provision contained therein on the grounds that it is not within the relevant powers of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, or that any of the relevant requirements
to introduce a new controlled parking zone to be known as the Streatham Vale North “Zone X” Controlled Parking Zone, in the streets specified in Schedule 1 to this Notice that will operate between the hours of midday and 2:00 p.m. Monday to Friday. This would involve:-
(i) the introduction of parking places in:
2) the streets specified in Schedule 3 to this Notice, for vehicles where the driver has paid the parking charge by phone or for vehicles in respect of which a resident or business permit for “Zone X” has been granted;
3) the streets specified in Schedule 4 to this Notice, for electric vehicles in respect of which a resident or business permit for “Zone X” has been granted. These parking places would be subject to a
(ii) any resident whose usual place of abode is specified in Schedule 5 to this Notice may apply to the Council for the issue of
operate from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Mondays to Fridays;
(ii) in Streatham Vale and Woodmansterne Road which would operate from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday to Saturdays;
(iii) in Glenister Park Road where previously there was provided a maximum period of stay of 30 minutes.
(e) to make amendments of no more than 2 metres to the location of Disabled Persons Parking Places outside No. 111 Greyhound Lane, outside No. 31 Abercairn Road and outside No. 87 Donnybrook Road.
(f) to remove Disabled Persons Parking Places from the locations specified in Schedule 12 to this Notice
(g) to ban waiting by vehicles, other than for the purpose of delivering or collecting goods or loading or unloading a vehicle, between the hours of 12.00 noon and 2.00 pm Monday to Friday in parts of the streets specified in Schedule 13 to this Notice;
(h) to ban waiting by vehicles, other than for the purpose of delivering or collecting goods or loading or unloading a vehicle at any time in parts of the streets specified in Schedule 14 to this Notice;
(i) that the charge for the use of a parking place by the pay by phone method would be as specified in Schedule 15 to this Notice;
(j) that the charges for permits would be according to their carbon dioxide emissions or their engine size, as specified in Schedule 16 to this Notice;
3. The proposed Orders are necessary to improve safety and the flow of traffic (which is currently hindered by the uncontrolled parking of vehicles) in the streets referred to above and to protect the available on-street parking space for residents, their visitors and local businesses in the new and extended CPZs. A ban on waiting by vehicles in certain roads is necessary to discourage parking (mainly at road junctions, vehicle access ways and on a bend), so as to improve road safety and vehicular access.
4. If you have any enquiries, please telephone Lambeth Council’s Parking Design Team on 020 7926 6799 or email: cpzconsultation@lambeth.gov.uk
5. A copy of each of the Orders and other documents giving detailed particulars about them are available for inspection online at: https://streets.appyway.com/lambeth or www.lambeth.gov.uk/traffic-management-orders and at the offices of Lambeth Council’s Parking and Enforcement Group (Parking, Network Management & Fleet), 3rd Floor, Civic Centre, 6 Brixton Hill, London SW2 1EG, between 9.30 am and 4.30 pm on Mondays to Fridays inclusive (except on bank/public holidays), until the Orders cease to have effect. To arrange an inspection please email: Trafficorders@lambeth.gov.uk
6. All objections and other representations relating to the proposed Orders must be made in writing and all objections must specify the grounds on which they are made (quoting reference Streatham Vale CPZ, ref 140), and can be made using our consultation portal at https://streets.appyway.com/lambeth or sent by post to Lambeth Council Parking and Enforcement Group (Parking, Network Management & Fleet), PO Box 80771, London SW2 9QQ or by email TMOReps@lambeth.gov.uk by 2 May 2025. Any objection may be communicated to, or be seen by, other persons who may have an interest in this matter.
Dated 11 April 2025
Ben Stevens Highways Network Manager
SCHEDULE 1
Arragon Gardens; Barrow Road; Buckleigh Road; Colmer Road; Danbrook Road; Ellison Road; Ellora Road; Estreham Road; Ferrers Road; Glencairn Road; Greyhound Lane; Guildersfield Road; Hambro Road; Hepworth Road; Kempshott Road; Lewin Road; Natal Road; Northanger Road; Pathfield Road; Penistone Road; Rotherhill Avenue; Tankerville Road; Westwell Road; Westwell Road Approach.
SCHEDULE 2
Arragon Gardens; Barrow Road; Buckleigh Road; Colmer Road; Danbrook Road; Ellison Road; Ellora Road; Estreham Road; Ferrers Road; Glencairn Road; Greyhound Lane; Guildersfield Road; Hambro Road; Hepworth Road; Kempshott Road; Lewin Road; Natal Road; Northanger Road; Pathfield Road; Penistone Road; Rotherhill Avenue; Tankerville Road; Westwell Road; Westwell Road Approach.
SCHEDULE 3
Arragon Gardens; Barrow Road; Buckleigh Road; Danbrook Road; Ellison Road; Ellora Road; Estreham Road; Ferrers Road; Glencairn Road; Guildersfield Road; Hambro Road; Hepworth Road; Kempshott Road; Lewin Road; Natal Road; Northanger Road; Pathfield Road; Penistone Road; Rotherhill Avenue; Tankerville Road; Westwell Road; Westwell Road Approach.
SCHEDULE 4
Barrow Road; Buckleigh Road; Danbrook Road; Ellison Road; Ferrers Road; Glencairn Road; Kempshott Road; Lewin Road; Natal Road; Pathfield Road; Tankerville Road.
SCHEDULE 5 Acacia Road, Even Nos. 22 to 32 and Odd Nos. 33 to 95; Arragon Gardens; Barrow Road; Buckleigh Road; Byron Close; Colmer Road; Danbrook Road; Ellison Road; Ellora Road; Estreham Road; Eucalyptus Mews; Ferrers Road;
Close; Rama Close; Rochester Close; Rotherhill Avenue; Shears Lane; Station Garage Mews; Streatham High Road Commonside Court, Hambly Mansions and Nos. 376 to 666 Streatham High Road; Tankerville Road; Westwell Mews; Westwell Road; Westwell Road Approach.
SCHEDULE 6
Abercairn Road; Aberfoyle Road; Bates Crescent; Bencroft Road; Bodiam Road; Braeside Road; Bridgewood Road; Broadview Road; Canmore Gardens; Carnforth Road; Churchmore Road; Donnybrook Road; Drakewood Road; Eardley Road; Edgington Road; Farmhouse Road; Fieldend Road; Glencairn Road; Glenister Park Road; Granton Road; Grayscroft Road; Greenock Road; Hawkhurst Road; Helmsdale Road; Larbert Road; Leonard Road; Lonesome Way; Mantlet Close; Meadfoot Road; Nettlewood Road; Runnymede Crescent; Sherwood Avenue; Stockport Road; Streatham Vale; Woodgate Drive; Woodmansterne Road.
SCHEDULE 7
Abercairn Road; Aberfoyle Road; Bates Crescent; Bencroft Road; Bodiam Road; Braeside Road; Bridgewood Road; Broadview Road; Canmore Gardens; Carnforth Road; Churchmore Road; Donnybrook Road; Drakewood Road; Eardley Road; Edgington Road; Farmhouse Road; Fieldend Road; Glencairn Road; Glenister Park Road; Granton Road; Grayscroft Road; Greenock Road; Hawkhurst Road; Helmsdale Road; Larbert Road; Leonard Road; Mantlet Close; Meadfoot Road; Nettlewood Road; Runnymede Crescent; Sherwood Avenue; Stockport Road; Streatham Vale; Woodgate Drive; Woodmansterne Road.
SCHEDULE 8
Abercairn Road; Bates Crescent; Bencroft Road; Bodiam Road; Braeside Road; Bridgewood Road; Broadview Road; Canmore Gardens; Carnforth Road; Churchmore Road; Donnybrook Road; Drakewood Road; Edgington Road; Farmhouse Road; Glencairn Road; Glenister Park Road; Granton Road; Grayscroft Road; Greenock Road; Hawkhurst Road; Helmsdale Road; Larbert Road; Leonard Road; Mantlet Close; Nettlewood Road; Runnymede Crescent; Sherwood Avenue; Stockport Road; Streatham Vale.
SCHEDULE 9 Canmore Gardens; Churchmore Road; Larbert Road.
SCHEDULE 10
Abercairn Road; Aberfoyle Road; Bates Crescent; Bencroft Road; Bodiam Road; Braeside Road; Bridgewood Road; Broadview Road; Canmore Gardens; Carnforth Road; Churchmore Road; Donnybrook Road; Drakewood Road; Eardley Road, Even Nos. 110 to 212 and Odd Nos. 171 to 211; Edgington Road; Farmhouse Road; Fieldend Road; Glencairn Road, Nos. 84, 86 and 88; Glenister Park Road; Granton Road; Grayscroft Road; Greenock Road; Hardwick Place; Hawkhurst Road; Helmsdale Road; Larbert Road; Leonard Road, Even Nos. 2 to 56; Lonesome Way, Nos. 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13; Mantlet Close; Maskani Walk; Meadfoot Road; Nettlewood Road; Runnymede Crescent; Sherwood Avenue; Stockport Road; Streatham Vale; Summerene Close; Woodgate Drive; Woodmansterne Road, Even Nos. 2 to 266 and all Odd Nos.
SCHEDULE 11
Bodiam Road; Braeside Road; Bridgewood Road; Churchmore Road; Drakewood Road; Farmhouse Road; Fieldend Road; Granton Road; Grayscroft Road; Greenock Road; Hawkhurst Road; Helmsdale Road; Larbert Road; Meadfoot Road;
SCHEDULE 12
SCHEDULE 13
Local media reaches you in huge numbers.
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Nettlewood Road; Sherwood Avenue; Stockport Road.
Road; Lewin Road; Natal Road; Northanger
Road; Pathfield Road; Penistone Road; Rotherhill Avenue; Tankerville Road; Westwell Road; Westwell Road Approach; Abercairn Road; Aberfoyle Road; Bates Crescent; Bencroft Road; Bodiam Road; Braeside Road; Bridgewood Road; Broadview Road; Canmore Gardens; Carnforth Road; Churchmore Road; Donnybrook Road; Drakewood Road; Edgington Road; Farmhouse Road; Fieldend Road; Glencairn Road; Glenister Park Road; Granton Road; Grayscroft Road; Greenock Road; Hawkhurst Road; Helmsdale Road; Larbert Road; Mantlet Close; Meadfoot Road; Nettlewood Road; Runnymede Crescent; Sherwood Avenue; Stockport Road; Streatham Vale; Woodmansterne Road.
SCHEDULE 14 Barrow Road; Buckleigh Road; Colmer Road; Ellison Road; Glencairn Road; Greyhound Lane; Guildersfield Road; Hepworth Road; Kempshott Road; Lewin Road; Natal Road; Pathfield Road; Penistone Road; Rotherhill Avenue; Tankerville Road; Westwell Road; Westwell Road Approach; Abercairn Road; Aberfoyle Road; Bates Crescent; Bodiam Road; Bridgewood Road; Churchmore Road; Eardley Road; Edgington Road; Farmhouse Road; Fieldend Road; Glencairn Road; Glenister Park Road; Granton Road; Grayscroft Road; Helmsdale Road; Larbert Road; Leonard Road; Lonesome Way; Nettlewood Road; Runnymede Crescent; Sherwood Avenue; Stockport Road; Streatham Vale; Woodgate Drive; Woodmansterne Road.
The ball rolls over
ByJohn Kelly
OLIVER GLASNER said he was “exhausted” after Crystal Palace secured a first league double over Brighton & Hove Albion since the 1932-33 season following a crazy end to their game at Selhurst Park last weekend.
The Eagles led 2-1 after goals form Jean-Philippe Mateta and Daniel Munoz either side of Danny Welbeck’s equaliser when Eddie Nketiah was sent off in the 78th minute and captain Marc Guehi in the 90th, both for second yellow cards.
Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke was then sent off in the 96th minute for bringing down Daichi Kamada and the nine men had to survive almost fourteen minutes of added-time before referee Anthony Taylor’s final whistle unleashed scenes of jubilation among the home fans.
"At the moment I'm exhausted," Glasner said immediately after the match. "Because this game had everything, it's
why we love football.
"The atmosphere at Selhurst was really amazing and everyone goes home happy.
"This group of players...it's a massive achievement, 92 years for us to win both games against Brighton. It's a massive win and we're pretty happy.
"We had to defend all their crosses, they had one free header where we were lucky, but everything else we defended really well. We stayed calm and were fighting for every single ball.
"It was a great experience for them and gives us so many emotions, it was fantastic."
Glasner explained why his players were used to a numerical disadvantage.
He said: “We just showed them which system they need to play. And they knew what to do. One or two situations changed, with Daichi as like a left wingback.
"It was not so difficult because we often train nine versuss ten, sometimes eight against ten - but not so often.
Smith breaks Harrogate’s resistance
By Georgia Garnett at Plough Lane
ALISTAIR SMITH’S late goal kept AFC Wimbledon’s chances of automatic promotion alive as the Dons beat Harrogate 1-0 at Plough Lane last Saturday.
The win broke a three-game winless streak for Johnnie Jackson’s side who are fifth, six points above eighth-place Colchester United.
Bryn Morris had the first real attempt of the game in the eighteenth minute, which Owen Goodman saved.
Aron Sasu’s attempt in the 35th minute snuck just past the left post and five minutes later Josh Kelly was denied by Harrogate goalkeeper James Belshaw. Riley Harbottle and Sasu had to efforts in quick succession but couldn’t break the deadlock.
The chances kept coming after the break for the hosts but Kelly, Matty Stevens and Jake Reeves were the next
to miss.
On 65 minutes, Stevens was off-target with a header from Reeves’ cross.
The Dons’ persistence paid off in the 77th minute when substitute Osman Foyo crossed for Smith to net the crucial goal in front of the 8,341 attendance. It was a first assist in Dons colours for 20-year-old Foyo.
Josh March attempted an acrobatic equaliser for the visitors but was unable to score in the 82nd minute.
Goodman saved to keep Harrogate out before Joe Piggott was denied by Belshaw in the dying moments of the game.
The win took the Dons to 68 points after 41 games, four points off Walsall in the last automatic promotion spot.
The Dons sit three points above Grimsby Town in the final play-off place.
Jackson’s side can leapfrog Doncaster Rovers in fourth with a win at the EcoPower Stadium next Saturday at the earlier 12.30pm kick-off time.
EAGLES CLAIM HISTORIC WIN AFTER CHAOS
Nine-man Palace clinch first league double over Brighton in 92 years
minutes.
"But the players know what they have to do. What I really loved is that they didn't just defend and wait for the referee to end the game.
"We were waiting for the right moment to go forward, with Daichi forcing the red card, otherwise he would have been oneon-one with the goalkeeper. This mindset I really loved.”
Glasner sent on Joel Ward for the injured Maxence Lacroix in the last minute, the 35-year-old defender’s first league appearance of the season.
Ward revealed the instructions he was given by Glasner before he took the captain’s armband from Guehi.
“To probably use the experience, to communicate and talk and just try and lead the lads to the victory,” Ward said.
“I think when you come into that scenario, you've just got to lean on all that you've learned over your career and it was all credit to the boys. They settled into that really nicely and it was a dogged performance, especially in that last few
“I think it's one of those ones. I think you just go into, what can we do to give ourselves the best chance? We work on it time and time again, where you work overloads in training and you have to defend your box and sometimes your back's up against a rope.
“Everyone put in a huge shift and it showed the mentality of the lads today to dig in and obviously put their bodies on the line as well.
“[Ben] Chilly's boxed a couple of big opportunities, [Will] Hughes has done the same, Deano’s [Henderson] pulled off some great saves, and everyone was out there to get the three points.
“It's massive. Obviously, I think the nature of the game, what it means for the fans, but how things played out, especially in that second half. Losing two players, it was huge for us to dig in deep and come together and obviously see that game out.”
Goalkeeper Henderson faced eleven shots, five of them on target.
"It was phenomenal, obviously, the lads were in the trenches at the end," Henderson said. "We worked so hard, put ourselves in front in the game. But obviously, with us going down to nine men, you've then got to dig deep and build relationships.
"We've got a great team spirit and it shows,, everyone working so hard for each other.
"At the end it seemed like no one knew what positions everyone was playing, but we were throwing the bodies in the way, defending the box like mad – and we fully deserved it.
"I'm speechless. It's fantastic. This fixture is massive for the fans. It means the same to us. We're delighted and we've done the double over them this season, so we've got to keep that going."
Palace, who are eleventh, two points off Bournemouth and four behind Brighton with a game in hand on both, travel to Manchester City on Saturday for a 12.30pm kick-off.
Skipper to the rescue for Addicks
ByJohn Kelly
NATHAN JONES was satisfied with a “good point” despite Charlton Athletic’s eight-match winning streak at The Valley coming to an end as they fought back from two goals down in the second half to draw 2-2 with Lincoln City in an entertaining League One encounter at the weekend.
Imps striker James Collins put the visitors ahead in the eighteenth minute and beat goalkeeper Will Mannion again three minutes into the second half.
Macaulay Gillesphey halved the deficit eight minutes later before captain Greg Docherty equalised in the 76th minute with a left-footed finish. Charlton had chances to win it but Lincoln goalkeeper George Wickens
made a brilliant save to deny Matty Godden and Chuks Aneke just missed the target late on.
"It was a good point in the end,” Jones said. “For 60 minutes we were nowhere near the levels we need to be - that’s the frustrating thing. In the last 30 minutes we had more tempo and got the crowd going. Their keeper has made a few really good saves, but we’ve given ourselves too much to do at the end of the day from being passive and inept and a mile off where we are.
"The last 30 minutes were a real positive and we’ll take a lot of positives from that. The first 60 minutes we were nowhere near the levels we needed to be and I take full responsibility for that.
"There was no control in the game. We didn’t have any control in the game.
We created enough chances. I think we had seventeen shots, they’ve had four, and we’ve drawn 2-2. If you give goals, you give yourself a mountain to climb. If we give one away, then when you get the second you go on to win the game, but when you give them two it gives them something to cling on to."
The Addicks were without the in-form Tyreece Campbell after he suffered from cramp in the previous midweek win at Mansfield Town. Charlton are fifth, eight points off Wrexham in second and eight points above Reading in seventh with five games left. Reading and Bolton Wanderers, who are sixth and are seven points behind the Addicks, have games in hand.
Charlton travel to former Millwall boss Neil Harris’ relegation strugglers Cambridge United on Saturday.
the line for Daniel Munoz’s winner
By Will Scott at Bramall Lane
JOSH COBURN’S thundering firsthalf strike proved to be decisive as Millwall beat Sheffield United 1-0, just their fourth league loss at Bramall Lane this season.
Coburn’s goal came from a well-worked move and saw the Lions take a deserved lead into half-time, with the Blades possessing plenty of intent but failed to test Lukas Jensen in the Lions net.
Amid increasing pressure from the home fans, Sheffield United pushed and pushed for an equaliser. Jesurun Rak-Sakyi came close a number of times, but was denied by some excellent box defending by the Lions, who threw themselves at shot after shot.
Millwall showed remarkable resilience and determination to hold onto their razor-thin lead, and came away with a result that may turn their distant play-off hopes into something more concrete.
Every path the Lions had to making the top six involved getting a result at Bramall Lane, and Alex Neil set his side up to go after the game from the start. They pressed up high and looked to get on the front foot - and had a couple of halfchances from set-pieces.
Sheffield United, who desperately needed all three points in the hunt for automatic promotion, also started aggressively, leading to a back and forth game which lacked a bit of quality until the 21st minute, when the Lions broke the deadlock with a spectacular piece of play.
Billy Mitchell fired the ball into Casper De Norre on the edge of the box, who somehow managed to touch it round a defender into the path of Coburn. The loanee striker took a touch then smashed the ball past Michael Cooper from a tight angle to give Millwall the lead.
The Blades looked to strike back instantly, taking six shots in the next eighteen minutes, the most dangerous of which was Brereton Diaz’s 28th-minute header from just outside the six-yard box
Josh Coburn celebrates after scoring the game’s only goal
that forced the Danish keeper to quickly stick out a firm hand to maintain the Lions’ lead.
Millwall still possessed plenty of venom, especially in transition, and nearly doubled their lead in the 34th minute when Coburn squared the ball to Mihailo Ivanovic, but the Serb’s shot was blocked.
The game grew more and more scrappy as the half went on - with the Blades
Rampant Fulham end Reds’ unbeaten run
By John Kelly
MARCO SILVA said Fulham were “clearly the best team on the pitch” in their 3-2 win over Premier League leaders Liverpool which boosted their European hopes.
Arnie Slot’s side took the lead at Craven Cottage through Alexis Mac Allister’s 25yard strike in the fourteenth minute.
The Cottagers hit back in a thrilling fourteen-minute spell with goals from Ryan Sessegnon, Alex Iwobi and Rodrigo Muniz to lead 3-1 at half-time.
Luis Diaz pulled a goal back on 72 minutes but Silva’s side hung on to hand the Reds just a second league defeat this season and end their 26-game unbeaten run in the competition.
Fulham are four points off Manchester City in fifth and five behind Chelsea in fourth.
"It was a great, great performance from us, a big one,” Silva said. “It's not just because it is Liverpool, but because we needed to bounce back after the last two
COBURN SCORES STUNNER AS LIONS STUN BLADES
games.
"Our first half was very, very good. We played at a very high level. We showed great organisation and commitment. We were clearly the best team on the pitch in the first half.
"In the second half, there was a good reaction from Liverpool, which we expected, and our energy went down a little bit which was to be expected because it was so high in the first half. Over all though, we deserved the three points.
"The aim was to be in the top half of the table at this stage of the season. We got three points. I want everybody to be really grounded."
Silva had praise for Muniz after the 23-year-old’s eighth league goal of the season and third in three games.
Silva said: "He is a proper quality striker. He is still very young but he is growing so quick. There are still many things to improve, but he is very high quality for a number nine."
Fulham face AFC Bournemouth away on Monday (April 14) at 8pm.
Rak-Sakyi continued to threaten - six minutes later he drove at Bryan and Cundle before swivelling and firing a shot straight into Jensen’s chest.
The game was fast turning into a rapid back and forth encounter, with both sides attacking vertically with speed. When Millwall did counter, there was plenty of space to attack, and they found that space in the 57th minute.
Honeyman played the ball over the top for Coburn to chase, and the striker squared it for an unmarked Ivanovic. The Serb was in acres of space but took his shot first time and fired it straight into Michael Cooper’s hands.
It remained a frantic affair, with Millwall managing to get more control of the game as the half went on. Aside from a fierce Gustavo Hamer drive that whistled over the bar, the Blades did not really have any chances for the next 20 minutes, while Coburn flashed a header over the bar and Aidomo Emakhu had a shot blocked.
Neil opted to make a few defensive substitutions as the game drew to a close, with right-back Wes Harding coming on for right midfielder George Honeyman, and Ryan Wintle replacing Billy Mitchell in central midfield.
The Lions’ defensive additions were needed as the Blades continued to push, with Tom Cannon firing a half volley into Jensen’s chest in the 80th minute.
Rak-Sakyi had another glorious chance to score in the 86th minute when the ball was nodded down to him in the six-yard box by Callum O’Hare, but his close-range effort dribbled just past the post.
Millwall were able to hold on for the remaining ten or so minutes to secure a remarkable away win and an all important three points.
registering ten shots in total which only combined for an expected goals (xG) of 0.52.
The Lions were deserving of their lead as they headed down the tunnel for halftime - they had converted either side’s best chance of the half and were not letting Sheffield United dominate the game.
The Blades, on the other hand, were met with a smattering of booes as they exited
momentum
Millwall upstage Sheffield United at Bramall Lane as their surprise play-off push gathers
the pitch, and Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder got a response out of his side at the start of the second half.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, on loan from Crystal Palace, was brought on for Brereton Diaz during half-time and had a golden opportunity to equalise in the 46th minute when Harrison Burrows put the ball on a plate for him in the box, but under pressure from Bryan he sliced his shot wide.
Maresca defends decision
By John Kelly
ENZO MARESCA’S heavily rotated Chelsea side dropped more points in the race for Champions League qualification with a 0-0 draw at Brentford.
Maresca made five changes, with Cole Palmer starting on the bench, and blamed the Blues’ heavy schedule for that decision.
Chelsea travel to Legia Warszawa on Thursday for the first leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final.
The Bees stalemate was three days after their 1-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday.
"We played Thursday night, so the idea was to start the game in one way and finish in another way,” Maresca said after an eighth consecutive league game away from home without a win. “I think the plan nearly worked. We just the missed the goal.
"We can always do something better, not only today but in general. When you
shoot more than 20 times, you've made enough chances to win the game."
Maresca is enjoying the challenge of balancing the race for Europe with action on the continent.
He said: "It's difficult, but at the same time it's nice because it means we're near the end."
Millwall: 4-4-2 – Jensen; Leonard, Crama, Cooper, Bryan; Honeyman (Harding 78), Mitchell (Wintle 78), De Norre (Saville 73), Cundle (Emakhu 66); Coburn, Ivanovic (Langstaff 73)
Unused Substitutes: Roberts, Drake, Kendall, Matthews
Sheffield United: 4-2-3-1 - Cooper; Seriki (Holding 74) , Ahmedhodzic, Robinson, Burrows; Choudhury (Souza 65), Peck; Brereton Diaz (Rak-Sakyi 46), Brewster (O’Hare 65), Hamer; Campbell (Cannon 65)
Unused Substitutes: Davies, McCallum, Moore, Brooks
R’s edge closer
By John Kelly
QUEENS PARK Rangers edged towards Championship safety with a 0-0 draw against Cardiff City in a relegation sixpointer at Loftus Road.
Marti Cifuentes’ side maintained their five-point advantage over the Bluebirds, who are 22nd, in a tense game in which both sides struggled to create clear chances. "I will never be happy with a draw, but it wasn’t an unfair result,” Cifuentes said. "I value the effort the guys made in a game that wasn’t easy to play in. QPR were in action at Oxford United, a point behind them, on Wednesday evening.
PLAY-OFF CHARGE IS ON
Eze fires Villa warning
By Will Scott
EBERECHI EZE says he is gaining "strength and rhythm" after a momentus month so far for him and Crystal Palace.
Eze scored his first senior international goal for England, and scored and assisted in the FA Cup quarter-final win at Fulham. Palace face Aston Villa at Wembley later this month for a place in the final.
"I'm just gaining a bit of rhythm now", Eze said. "Gaining some more strength game by game. It's important for me to be playing and feeling good, so I'm happy to be doing that.
"I do set set myself goals for the season, but I won't tell you guys [the media]! I'm just always trying to improve, trying to be better than I was last season.
"I wouldn't say it's the best [football of his career], but I'm happy to be playing well and trying. For sure, there's still more to come.
"We've still got a lot to achieve this season. We believe that we can do it and the mentality is to keep going, keep pushing and to see where we can get to."
Eze assisted Jean-Philippe Mateta and Daniel Muñoz in Palace's 2-1 win over Brighton last weekend.
He added: "JP's a big player for us. Both in scoring goals and affecting games, we need him to do that. I enjoy playing with him, he's a top player and a top guy.
By Will Scott
ALEX NEIL thinks Millwall’s clash with Middlesbrough on Saturday, April 12, has taken on extra importance now that the Lions have closed the gap to the play-off spots by beating Sheffield United 1-0.
Millwall went to the home ground of the third-placed team in the league and came away with a deserved win via a first-half Josh Coburn strike.
The result means the Lions are now three points off Boro, who lost 1-0 to Leeds fifteen minutes after the whistle blew at Bramall Lane.
Saturday’s match gives Millwall the opportunity to draw level with a team also contending for the play-offs.
“I think the importance of the game is just magnified isn’t it?” Neil said. “I think at the weekend there was probably the best atmosphere at The Den that I’ve experienced since I’ve been here.
“I’m really hoping this Saturday will be far better than that because there’s a lot at stake isn’t there?
If we can go and try and win the game, then we give ourselves an opportunity.”
Neil thought their clash with the Blades was a must win if the Lions wanted to keep themselves in the conversation for the top six.
“My chat with the lads this evening before the match was, if we want to be in the mix come the end of the season, we need to win tonight,” Neil said. “I think you could see with the team that I set
out, that we came here to win, we didn’t come here to not lose, we came here to try and win the game.
“Now that’s easier said than done. You’re going to have to do a lot of things really, really well for that to happen. Fortunately enough for us, we did that this evening.”
Neil was pleased with his side’s performance against a side that is pushing for automatic promotion.
“Really good result for us,” Neil said. “We knew coming here it was going to be a really tough game.
Sheffield United have won more matches at this level than anybody else this season and deservedly so. We knew coming here was going to be hard, we were going to have to get the balance right between playing, between carrying a threat and between defending. I thought
we did that.
“What we did know coming here is Sheffield United are one of the lowest teams in the league for crossing the ball. What we do know about ourselves, we are one of the best teams at defending the middle of the box. So our strategy was to stay narrow and let them work outside us and make sure we try and defend the box well. If we did that we felt we would’ve given ourselves an opportunity and a chance to win the game.
“But you need to have quality at the top end. I thought we had a lot of that this evening. I thought the two strikers were excellent. So really pleased with everybody that took to the field really. Even the subs that come on, I thought they did great.”
"You know where he's going to be, you know his strength. And we've built a good relationship over a few years now, so it's good to be playing with him."
Eberechi Eze celebrates with Phil Foden