Contact us if you have a story on 07973175511 or email hello@cm-media.co.uk
We are a London Living Wage employer
DO YOU HAVE A STORY for our news team? Call 0207 231 5258 You can WhatsApp us on 07494 070 863.
By Robert Firth Local Democracy Reporter
A DEPTFORD councillor who quit Labour eight months ago has joined the Green Party.
Hau-Yu Tam, who was elected in 2022, will sit as Lewisham Council’s only Green councillor.
She has been Lewisham’s only opposition councillor since resigning from Labour in July 2022.
Cllr Tam announced her defection to the Greens outside Lewisham Town Hall in Catford on Monday, March 17. She was joined by Green Party Deputy Leader Zack Polanski and other party members outside the building.
Cllr Tam said: “I’m very excited. Since leaving Labour, it has been a whole journey with lots of different emotions. But I’ve found a lot of peace with this decision and I feel very happy today to be joining the Greens. Their policies and manifesto align a lot more closely with my values, [and] my beliefs.
“I was an anti-racism campaigner when I was elected [for Labour] back in 2022. I was elected on a manifesto that was progressive on paper. But when you get down to it, the Labour Party have sold out so many of their principles.
“We’re now looking at the barrel of huge local government cuts, huge increases in defence at the expense of welfare, we’re looking at demonising migrants. I was very explicit I would push against [these policies]. I’m an activist and community worker before all else.”
Zack Polanski, who is also a London Assembly member, said he was ‘delighted’ to see Cllr Tam join the Greens. He said: “I always want to see passionate, motivated individuals joining the Green Party. And to speak to her residents, I know she has been a brilliant councillor who has already been demonstrating the values of the Green Party.”
Polanski declined to put a figure to the number of councillors the Greens hoped to have in Lewisham after next year’s local elections, but said the party had plans to run its ‘most ambitious campaign ever’ in the capital in 2026.
He added: “We got record breaking results at the last general election and last London elections and since then we’ve seen a Labour government that has become increasingly unpopular. We’ve got another year to see them continuing building on that unpopularity.”
Lewisham Council now has 53 Labour councillors, one Green councillor, and a
POLITICIAN QUITS LABOUR AND DEFECTS TO THE GREENS
Labour Mayor. At the last local elections in May 2022, Cllr Tam was elected to Evelyn ward in Deptford with 1,224 votes (18 per cent), alongside two other Labour councillors.
The Green Party’s top performing candidate in the ward finished fourth
Editor: Kevin Quinn
Reporters: Herbie Russell; Isabel Ramirez
Sports Editor: John Kelly
Sports reporter: Will Scott
Arts Correspondent: Michael Holland
Digital Transformation Editor: Katherine Johnston
Media Partnerships: Anthony Phillips
Advertising: Clarry Frewin
Design: Dan Martin, Ann Gravesen
Finance: Em Zeki - Tel: 0779 883 3758
Subscriptions/Announcements: Katie Boyd
Managing & Commercial Director: Chris Mullany
Managing & Editorial Director: Kevin Quinn
Published weekly at: Community Matters Media Ltd, 1 Bermondsey Square, London SE1 3UN News and Sport: 020 7231 5258
Advertising: 0020 7232 1639
News/Advertising: hello@cm-media.co.uk
Finance: em@cm-media.co.uk
Printed by Iliffe Print. Tel: 01223 656500
www.iliffeprint.co.uk
with 523 votes (8 per cent). Cllr Tam was suspended from Labour in late 2023 after she was investigated by the party for allegedly organising a pro-Palestine protest.
She has always denied the allegations, branding them as ‘absurd’ and claiming they were concocted by people who wanted
to expel her from Labour.
Following the end of the internal investigation in February 2024, she was given a formal warning and reinstated to the party. She revoked her Labour membership five months later on the day of the 2024 general election.
Community Matters Media has been running independent newspapers since 1987, and now boasts the weeklies: South London Weekly, Southwark News and Greenwich & Lewisham Weekender, as well as the lifestyle magazines The South Londoner and Bermondsey Biscuit & Rotherhithe Docker
You can view all our content on www.southlondon.co.uk and sign up to newsletters to stay informed about news, lifestyle & events, people, sport and history.
We believe in community and in balanced, independent and responsible journalism. As a south London business, we also work to support fellow local businesses. A dedicated team of staff work tirelessly to cover as much of what is going on as possible and strive to ensure that community-led, independent newspapers can survive and excel in a market dominated by national and multinational media groups.
Zack Polanski, deputy leader of the Green Party and Cllr Hau-Yu Tam with party members outside Lewisham Town Hall in Catford
Local man takes on his biggest pie challenge yet
By Callum Smyth
ON A random trip to Arment’s pie and mash shop this week we came across a fan of the Cockney dish attempting his own personal challenge – and we had to film it.
Calling himself ‘Honest John’, from the Old Kent Road, he had decided to make one of his regular visits to this historic Walworth eatery and challenged himself to down eight pies in just 30 minutes.
When we asked him why, he replied “just because I can” and agreed to us making a Tik Tok video of him doing it.
Arment’s on Westmoreland Road, is Honest John’s pie and mash of choice. The 65-year-old has been a regular here since he was two or thee years old.
He claims the traditional Cockney delicacy is “the food of the Gods”, adding “I was brought up on this”.
Our visit last week March 12, was because it is National Pie and Mash week and we knew Arment’s had been dishing it up since 1914.
Honest John was joined by his partner Liz, who joked she was offering moral support, but was not having any, settling instead for an Arment’s cherry fruit pie.
She added she would never attempt a challenge like this herself.
Three years ago, Honest John set a personal best record, when he stomached seven pies in 25 minutes.
He was back in Arment’s determined to beat this. He declared: “Today is an important day, it is what it is”.
We set a timer and John commenced the challenge, taking on 4 pies at a time.
John finished his first four pies in a whopping 11 minutes, starting the challenge off with a surprising edge.
He finished in a record-breaking 24 minutes and 30 seconds, beating his previous title by 30 seconds with one extra pie.
He debated heading down the Walworth Road for a pint, although Liz suggested he “walked off” the challenge instead.
By Issy Clarke
A NEW Lidl on Walworth Road where Marks and Spencer used to be is set to open in September, according to an advertising consent application submitted to Southwark Council.
Once up and running, the store will be open every day from 7am to 11pm.
The German budget supermarket submitted a premises licence to Southwark Council on March 3, following the closure of Marks and Spencer last June after 111 years of serving customers.
Locals were left gutted by the closure of the Edwardian supermarket, which opened 29 years after the first M&S store in Leeds and just a year before the outbreak of World War One.
Once open the store will be the sixth Lidl in Southwark, following the opening of a branch in Camberwell in 2019. It will join several other Lidl’s in the borough, including this one on the Old Kent Road
Rosendale Road in West Dulwich
It’s this ‘leafy’ part of Southwark where rents are falling the fastest
By Issy Clarke
DULWICH HAS often enjoyed a reputation as a leafy rich suburb bordering working-class turned hipster paradise Peckham.
But according to SpareRoom data, the smart south-London residential fringe is one of the areas in the capital where rents are falling the fastest.
Rents in Dulwich, including West Dulwich, fell by 9.9 per cent compared to last year, while in East Dulwich they were down by 7.5 per cent.
Lee, which straddles Lewisham and Greenwich, also made the list with yearon-year rents dropping by 7.9 per cent.
The other postcodes with the biggest drops included some of the most affluent parts of London, including elegant Belgravia and ever-fashionable Chelsea.
The two steepest declines were in Lower Edmonton, where rents fell by 13.7 per cent, and in SW1 (Westminster, Belgravia, Pimlico and Victoria) which saw a 12.7 per cent decrease.
Across south-east London, the cost of renting a room stood at £957 a month in the final quarter of 2024 – a meagre 1% decrease compared to the year before.
Last year, East Dulwich was declared by lifestyle publisher Muddy Stilettos as one of the UK’s best places to live thanks to its trendy food and culture scene.
Historic Borough drinking fountain is working again after years of running dry
WW2 AIRCRAFT ENGINEER FROM BERMONDSEY TURNS 100
By Isabel Ramirez
A WW2 aircraft engineer who was born and bred near the Old Kent Road celebrated his 100th birthday this week.
William Henning was born in 1925 and is one of Southwark Council’s most senior tenants.
William, who was raised near Old Kent Road and has lived in Bermondsey ever since said: “I’ve made lots of friends in Southwark and have a good support network.”
He said the housing and other staff who check on him every day, including the estate cleaner who always says hello, are ‘wonderful’ to him.
The Old Kent Road area was a hub of industry, with the Grand Surrey Canal network running under the bridges, when William was a child.
The legacy of George Livesey –Camberwell and Peckham’s first public library, would still have been open in the local area and the R Whites Lemonade factory, open for much of
By Isabel Ramirez
AN EDWARDIAN drinking fountain that survived a World War II bombing has been restored and is once again providing free fresh water to the public in Borough.
The historic fountain in Christ Church Garden, near Blackfriars Bridge, had run dry for years due to damage and subsidence.
Now, thanks to a major restoration effort led by the Heritage of London Trust (HOLT), Southwark Council, and Delancey Real Estate, the fountain has been brought back to life.
Originally installed in 1900 when the churchyard was transformed into a public garden, the fountain remarkably survived the bombing of Christ Church in 1941. The church was destroyed, its burning cross falling into the grounds and leaving scorch marks still visible today.
However, in recent years, the fountain had sunk into the ground, and a falling tree had damaged its roof. Missing its original
William’s life, would also have been making fizzy drinks for distribution down the canal.
But, much of what William would have been familiar with in the area as a child in Southwark was destroyed during the Second World War, by which time he would serve for four years as an aircraft engineer, repairing fighter planes.
His wife, Ivy Lilian, sadly died 14 years ago. Ivy Lilian and William moved into their council home, where he still lives, just after they were married, and they have a daughter.
William is one of Southwark Council’s most senior tenants. He was recently visited on his special centenary by Stella, one of Southwark Council’s housing officers, to wish him a happy birthday with cards and gifts on behalf of all the housing team who know him.
Councillor Sarah King, cabinet member for council homes, said: “This is what makes council housing so special - it’s such a huge privilege to learn about Mr Henning’s long life in the borough – what incredible changes
stone bowl and taps, it had been switched off for some time.
The restoration project involved stabilising its foundations, installing a new drainage system, repairing the roof, and fitting new taps along with a hand-carved stone water basin.
As part of the restoration, 130 young people from local schools and youth groups engaged with the project through HOLT’s Proud Places programme. They met conservators and took part in creative and stonemasonry workshops, gaining hands-on experience in heritage conservation.
This fountain is the 14th to be restored across London by HOLT, helping to provide sustainable, free drinking water while reducing plastic waste and enhancing public spaces.
The fountain was originally donated by John Passmore Edwards (1823–1911), a Victorian philanthropist dedicated to improving public access to clean water.
He funded 11 drinking fountains across London, believing that “money could not
he must have seen in Southwark over the years.
“The kindness and care our staff have for the individual people they get to know is just wonderful and I’m proud of both of them and our amazing residents like William, who are part of such a fantastic community in Southwark. I wish Mr Henning a very happy birthday!”
Hakeem Osinaike, Director of Housing at Southwark, said: “As a social landlord, our jobs go beyond managing tenancies and this visit to Mr Henning on his birthday, demonstrates a deep understanding of this.”
When Mr Henning was born, it was still 40 years before Southwark Council would be officially ‘born’ itself. It was not until 1965 that the London Borough of Southwark was created out of three metropolitan borough councils - Camberwell (taking in Camberwell, Peckham and Dulwich) Bermondsey (taking in Bermondsey and Rotherhithe) and Southwark (Borough and around Elephant & Castle).
be better spent for the general benefit of the community than in the establishment of drinking fountains in open spaces.”
Public drinking fountains became essential in 19th-century London, providing clean water at a time when waterborne diseases were rife and many could not afford piped water at home.
Dr Nicola Stacey, Director of HOLT, said: “We are thrilled to restore this beautiful historic fountain – now back in use as a public amenity after so many years. It’s fantastic to see the local community making use of it.”
Dominic Leary, Parks Officer at Southwark Council, added: “The fountain sits in Christ Church Gardens, an important local green space that provides a restful enclave in the busy city. It has been a pleasure to work on this project.”
Jamie Ritblat, Founder and Chairman of Delancey, commented: “We are proud to support this important community project. It’s been fantastic to see local schools and community groups engaging with the restoration.”
Last chance to buy at SO Resi Sutton! Discover a collection of 2 & 3-bedroom Shared Ownership apartments only 5 minutes** walk to Sutton Station and complete with allocated underground parking and integrated Bosch appliances.
£123,750 for a 25% share and a 5% deposit of £6,187.50* Register your interest today or arrange a viewing: Search SO Resi Sutton sharedownership.co.uk
WHY ARE SOUTHWARK’S CLOSED PRIMARY SCHOOLS STILL EMPTY?
EXCLUSIVE
By Issy Clarke
IN THE last four years, six primary schools in Southwark have been forced to close their doors due to a drop in demand for places.
Declining pupil rolls can cause problems for primary schools which calculate funding on a per-pupil basis. The issue has partly been fuelled by a 20 per cent decrease in London’s birth rate between 2012 and 2022 – a reduction of 27,490 live births across the capital.
In Southwark this trend has been even more pronounced, with a 33 per cent reduction in births between 2012 and 2023. With more primary schools in the borough at risk of closure, here is what we know about what the buildings of the six closed schools are being used for now.
ST JOHN’S PRIMARY SCHOOL (WALWORTH) - CHURCH OF ENGLAND
More than 300 gutted parents signed a petition to save St John’s from closure in 2021, which cited a huge financial deficit owing to falling pupil numbers despite being near the Old Kent Road which is set to see a huge increase in new and affordable housing.
At the time, local MP Neil Coyle even got involved, criticising the council
for “mixed messaging” on whether Southwark had too many or too few school places, after it injected £200 million into schools following a previous shortage.
The building, which is owned by the Dioceses of Southwark, has since been repurposed for commercial use and is currently being let out on a short-term lease to Hotel Elephant, a provider of studio and co-working space which charges rents ranging from £300 to £680 a month.
ST FRANCESCA CABRINI PRIMARY SCHOOL (NUNHEAD) - ARCHDIOCESE OF SOUTHWARK
Cash-strapped St Francesca Cabrini closed in September 2023 after the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus announced their plans to teach in Africa.
The primary school also faced low student admissions, with 334 pupil vacancies and a £200,000 annual budget deficit. The building is still in partial use as a convent, while other areas of the site have been privately let out to charities and a nursery school.
COBOURG PRIMARY SCHOOL (WALWORTH) -
SOUTHWARK COUNCIL
The shock closure of Cobourg Primary School in June 2023 and its
amalgamation with Camelot Primary School in Peckham bewildered parents who claimed they had not received any information about the funding difficulties faced by the school or the proposed merger.
Prior to Cobourg’s closure, the school had been in partnership with Camelot for six months. All Cobourg pupils were given a place at Camelot, while permanent teachers and support staff also kept their jobs, making it easier for children to adjust to their new surroundings by seeing some familiar faces.
The building has been empty ever since, however the council has said it wants to keep the school in educational use by earmarking it as a potential site for Special Educational Need (SEN) provision, for which demand has gone up nationally by 140 per cent in the last ten years.
The council is developing a capital plan to expand SEN provision, which once finalised could see Cobourg re-purposed as a special school between 2025 and 2030.
TOWNSEND PRIMARY SCHOOL (WALWORTH) -
SOUTHWARK COUNCIL
Parents were devastated when the Walworth primary school, which faced a £599,000 budget deficit, closed in
June 2023.
The school had initially escaped the chop in early 2022 after a petition launched by parents to keep it open gathered over 130 signatures. However in December that year, parents were again told that St Townsend was under threat – culminating in its closure at the end of the 2022/23 academic year.
Empty ever since, Townsend is another site the council is eyeing up for the potential future expansion of SEN provision.
HARRIS PRIMARY FREE SCHOOL (EAST DULWICH) - SOUTHWARK COUNCIL
Harris Free closed in August 2023 and merged with Harris Primary Academy in East Dulwich. The school’s buildings and facilities were absorbed into the Harris Academy secondary school with which it shared a site.
COMBER GROVE PRIMARY SCHOOL (CAMBERWELL) - SOUTHWARK COUNCIL
Parents gathered outside Comber Grove to protest against its closure last summer, after the school saw a 40 per cent drop in pupil numbers since 2019. But despite the dismay of parents the council said closing the school was the only viable option, citing its falling pupil numbers and £185,000 budget deficit. Now, the council plans to start
consulting on potentially absorbing the empty building into Highshore, a special needs secondary school on Forest Road in Camberwell. This would give Highshore, which is currently oversubscribed, between 60 and 85 additional places and could take effect by September 2026.
Councillor Jasmine Ali said: “Nobody wants to see schools close, and we do all we can to support families and staff with our Keeping Education Strong strategy.
“Falling rolls is a national issue, particularly exacerbated in cities like London by an increase in housing costs in the private sector, a birth rate which is now 1.49 - the lowest since the 1930s - Brexit and cost of living.
“This has created a low number of applications for schools with some schools seeing fewer than 20 applications for reception this September.
“The council has a Keeping Education Strong strategy which supports schools intensively through these difficult times. Should a school have to close, all children, thankfully, are offered places in one of the boroughs 96% Good or Outstanding schools.
“It also ensures that former school buildings should be kept in the education estate - to be used for education or skills purposes.”
Karen Jordan is among the Southwark residents desperately needing adaptations to her home
1- St John’s Walworth, 2 - St Francesca Cabrini, 3 - Cobourg Primary School, 4 - Townsend Primary School, 5 - Comber Grove, 6 - Harris Primary Academy
GOVERNMENT VOWS TO ‘FULLY FUND’ BREAKFAST CLUBS AMID COST CONCERNS AT PILOT SCHOOLS
EXCLUSIVE
By Issy Clarke
TWO PRIMARY schools in Southwark have been selected to take part in the early roll out of a country-wide breakfast club scheme, amid concerns the money set aside by the government won’t be enough to pay for it.
Crawford Primary School in Camberwell and The Belham Primary School in Peckham are two of 750 schools invited to take part in the pilot of a £315 million government initiative to give all primary school children in England a free healthy breakfast.
However ahead of its launch in April, several primary schools have already pulled out of the pilot citing concerns about the insufficient level of funding set aside for the scheme.
A government spokesperson for Department for Education told the News this week that they would be learning from the pilot schemes and vowed “schools will be fully funded for food, delivery and staffing costs.”
Southwark Council’s cabinet member for education also promised to feedback any concerns to the government over costs.
Ally Sprakes, the headteacher of The
Belham on Bellenden Road, said she was “really pleased” the school had been chosen to take part but added the money set aside by the government would not be enough to cover all the costs.
The Belham already runs a paid-for breakfast club which currently gets between 40-50 pupils each morning, and the school expects this number will increase to at least 150 once the free provision launches.
“The scheme is not going to be able to be totally funded by the money that’s
coming from the government” said Sprakes.
“We are going to have to look at making efficiencies elsewhere, however we have had constructive conservations with Southwark Council and the local MP.”
The News also contacted Southwark’s other pilot school Crawford Primary for comment but received no response at the time of going to press.
Last week, a school in Lancashire withdrew after the headteacher said the funding rate, which works out at 60p per
Second highest number of local children on record given their first choice secondary school
By Issy Clarke
THE SECOND highest number of children on record have been given their first choice of secondary school this year, according to Southwark Council.
The local authority said 1,816 families received their first choice of school for September 2025 - the largest number since 2022.
In total the council received 2,545 secondary school applications, all of which have been offered a school place ahead of the upcoming academic year.
Ninety-one per cent of children received a place at a secondary school of their first to third preference.
Councillor Jasmine Ali, Deputy Leader & Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Refugees said: “The transition to secondary school is an
exciting time for children and it’s great to see that the vast majority of families have been able to secure places for their children at their preferred school.
“We do recognise that not quite every child will get a place at their preferred school, which is why we have support in place to help families through the process, including one-to-one support and advice to achieve the best outcome for the child.”
Southwark have closed due to a drop in demand for school places, which has been blamed on a combination of falling birth rates and rising house prices.
Last month, the News reported St Mary Magdalene in Peckham was the latest school in the borough at risk of closure with a reported budget deficit of £72,000 blamed on declining pupil rolls.
Councillor Jasmine Ali, Southwark Council Cabinet Member for Children and Education, said the council would be working with the schools to monitor the pilot and provide feedback to the Department of Education.
pupil and rises to 78p depending on the number of children covered by the pupil premium, was not enough to pay for the extra food supplies and staff salaries.
The head of a primary school in Derbyshire also pulled out of the scheme, claiming it would have left the school with a £9,000 financial shortfall.
On top of the per-pupil rate, schools receive a £500 lump sum to cover set-up costs, and then £1,000 each term for dayto-day running expenses.
Since 2021, six primary schools in
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “We are thrilled to have confirmed our first 750 school breakfast clubs, in towns and cities across the country, delivering on our Plan for Change to break the link between children’s background and success.
“The early adopter scheme is about testing and learning how best to provide a universal breakfast club, and schools will be fully funded for food, delivery and staffing costs to provide free breakfasts and 30-minutes of childcare, ahead of the national rollout.
“The free breakfast clubs will put up to £450 per year back in parent’s pockets, supporting working families with the cost of living, and improve every child’s behaviour, attendance and attainment.”
Royal British Legion and St Dunstan’s College perform together in charity concert
The concert was held on Saturday 8th February
By Melina Block Local Democracy Reporter
THE ROYAL British Legion’s Central Band recently joined St Dunstan’s College Corps of Drums in a fundraising concert.
The Catford school hosted the concert on last month and raised £1,255.22 for the Royal British Legion, the UK’s leading Service charity.
Funds will go towards supporting veterans, serving personnel, and their families.
“Thanks to the overwhelming support of attendees, performers, and organisers, the event was a huge success, raising significant funds for the Royal British Legion” said Major Richard Davies, head of CCF at St Dunstan’s.
He added the school hoped to make the concert an “annual event to ensure continued support for this important cause.”
Following this show, the College’s Corps of Drums are preparing to travel to Ypres, Belgium, to take part in the daily Last Post Ceremony under the Menin Gate.
The Last Post, a classical piece usually played on the bugle, is the traditional final salute to fallen soldiers.
In the First World War, St Dunstan’s suffered one of the highest percentage losses of any school in England after 277 students and teachers died.
Last October, the Corps of Drums also participated in the prestigious Lord Mayor’s Music Competition in the Guildhall Yard in central London.
SOUTHWARK RAPIST JAILED FOR 13 YEARS
Rashane Lee was released from prison less than two years earlier for an ‘almost identical’ attack
By Melina Block Local Democracy Reporter
A SOUTHWARK man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for two counts of rape following an attack in June 2024.
Rashane Lee, of Old Kent Road, was on the registered sexual offender list at the time of his arrest. He pleaded guilty to breaking its conditions, but denied the new charge of raping a woman in June last year, less than two years after being released from prison. The court heard that the 26-year-old
had been convicted of rape in 2016 in circumstances that were almost identical to the incident in June.
On 1 June 2024 the victim had been out for the day in Central London with her sister and friends, but as she made her way home shortly after 11pm she was approached by Lee.
He began to talk to her and offered to accompany her home as they lived, he claimed, in a similar direction. She attempted to dissuade him however he persisted, before taking her to a secluded area and raping her.
After reporting the incident to the police, officers searched through
CCTV footage in an attempt to track the suspect and forensic analysis found a match for Rashane Lee, with a probability of one billion to one.
Following this, Lee was quickly found by officers at his partner’s home address and arrested on 11 June 2024. Despite the weight of DNA evidence, in interview, Lee strongly denied the allegation of rape. He claimed that samples were faulty or contaminated in the lab and that he had never met the victim. Lee also claimed that his DNA must have changed.
He was charged the following day and found guilty on 23 December
last year at Inner London Crown Court, after less than two hours of deliberation.
As well as receiving a 13-year custodial sentence, Lee will also see his licence extended by seven years.
Detective Constable Jack Woods, leader of the investigation, said: “This verdict is testament to the bravery of the victim whose evidence helped us secure this conviction.
“Despite farcical claims by Lee that the DNA secured was either contaminated or simply not his, the jury saw through this, and this resulted in today’s lengthy sentence.
“Lee is an extremely dangerous individual who deliberately targeted a lone woman and hoped that because she had had a few drinks she would be too confused to come forward to police.
“This was not the case and despite his arrogance, there was no doubt to his guilt.
“We hope that this result demonstrates that no matter the circumstances, we will always take victim-survivors accounts extremely seriously, and do all we can to ensure that predators, like Lee, are taken off the streets.”
Lady rescues a baby fox abandoned near a busy road
- but did
By Melina Block Local Democracy Reporter
she do the right thing?
AN ABANDONED baby fox was rescued by a local resident of the Elephant and Castle after she saw him distressed, however despite the best efforts of the RSPCA the cub remains pack-less.
The RSPCA thanked the caring lady who came across the cub, who is believed to be around two months old. However, they warned people not to pick up baby foxes unless they are in the middle of the road or an equally dangerous place, saying the mother fox is usually nearby.
The unnamed lady, who came to the across the cub alone and in a distressed state near a busy main road in Elephant and Castle earlier this month tried to reunite the him with his mother, before calling in the RSPCA. She put him in a cardboard box at a safe location nearby with food and water.
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Paige Havlin, who attended the scene, said:
“This fox cub was in a precarious position and could easily have perished without the help of this lady who followed correct advice from the start by leaving the cub in a cardboard box outside with food and water to see if his parent would take him.
Baby foxes with RSPCA - photo supplied
“We tried again to reunite the cub and its mother the following evening but sadly without success.
“A fox we suspect was the mother visited the spot around six times and approached the cub, but was very skittish and while she ate the food we left out for her she did not take the cub.”
Neighbours confirmed that foxes were local visitors to the area, but Paige found nothing when searching local gardens for fox dens.
To protect the health of the baby fox he was taken South Essex Wildlife Hospital.
Hospital staff are now caring for him among a group of fox cubs until he has built up the skills to survive alone and
can be released back into the wild. Paige added: “We are so grateful to the local resident who took time trying to help a fox cub that was clearly in distress.
“However, it is important to remember that not all wild animals need rescuing and are better off being left where they are and monitored for as long as possible.
“If anyone finds a fox cub on their own and their eyes are open the cub is probably fine and the parents are usually nearby.
“It is best to leave a supply of dog food and water and check again in 24 hours.
“If the cub is in immediate danger on a road then try to safely move the cub to a sheltered spot, but handling as little as possible.
“Generally, it is best that members of the public don’t handle or transport fox cubs as they can become aggressive when stressed or injured.”
If anyone finds a fox cub that is injured, sick or in immediate danger or has their eyes closed then call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.
RIVER RESIDENT BREAKS DOWN IN TEARS AT PUBLIC INQUIRY
By Adrian Zorzut
Local Democracy Reporter
RESIDENTS HAVE called for proposed changes to the way the Port of London Authority (PLA) manages the River Thames to be scrapped as a public inquiry into the matter wraps up.
The River Residents Group, the Thamesbank and The Blue Green Economy were just a few community groups who said the changes, set to be made under a Harbour Revision Order (HRO), were “not fit for purpose”.
Among the principle points of contention for residents whose homes back onto the Thames is that fees charged by the PLA for the privilege of having a balcony overlooking the river were not transparent, and they claim different people are charged different amounts, sometimes differing by thousands of pounds. One of the changes the HRO seeks to make is to amend the PLA’s charging regime.
A public inquiry was launched in early March to examine the HRO which was submitted by the port authority back in 2020. The order would allow the PLA to make a series of changes to the Port of London Act 1968 – a law which allows it to regulate the Port of London.
This includes allowing the PLA to terminate leases “in the interests of the safe navigation of the Thames and the protection of public rights of navigation”, removing borrowing limits and personal liability for its board members and ending the practice of sending yearly reports to Parliament.
The changes would affect the 17 London boroughs which the Thames runs through or alongside.
Ralph Hardwick, from the River Residents Group, told the inquiry on Thursday (March 13) the HRO risked weakening objectors’
right to appeal decisions.
He said the treatment of residents along the River has left them “feeling they’re in an abusive relationship with the PLA”.
He said: “The PLA habitually privileges its commercial stakeholders – most conspicuously the [Thames] Clippers – over its residential stakeholders. Most of all, the PLA privileges itself. The vast majority of its self-described ‘stakeholder benefit’ is awarded year on year to its own employees and their pension fund.
“This made sense back in 1935 when the PLA still had a real port and 11,000 employees and all the wharves along the river were filled with trade of the Empire.
But now the PLA has 470 staff and the warehouses are full of residents. But there’s nothing much in the stakeholder pot for them.”
At one point, Mr Hardwick broke down in tears as he described his groups’ experience challenging the PLA.
He said: “We objectors have all given up our time willingly to attend, as it’s so important to us. This HRO will last at least a generation, and our eyes are on the future of the river.
“Some of us have health issues, travel issues, have sacrificed paid work. We have put our lives on hold to be here.”
Dido Berkeley and Diana McCann from the Thames Blue Green Economy said the PLA charged “unreasonable” fees for homeowners with balconies over the river and were blocking off areas for “commercial purposes”. They said: “Londoners, community groups and other river stakeholders must be given the opportunity to take part in the management of the river. Only then will they understand their rights of access and navigation and begin to realise they can exercise them.”
Lawyers representing Thamesbank said the HRO was “legally flawed” because it
lacked a proper environmental assessment.
They said Section 48A of the Harbour Act 1964 imposes an overriding duty on harbour authorities to upkeep the “natural beauty” of areas of “special interest”.
They said: “The PLA’s failure to conduct any environmental assessments and its admission to Thamesbank that no environmental information was prepared or considered throughout the HRO process evidences a clear cut breach of this statutory duty to take account of any effects the proposal may have on the environment.”
A spokesperson for the PLA said: “The Port of London is the UK’s biggest port and busiest inland waterway. For six years we have been seeking to modernise the 60-year-old Port of London Act under which we operate.
“Our proposals are not about apartments with balconies overhanging the river, but about strengthening measures to keep ships, people, and the environment safe, and to improve public transparency in decision making on proposals for developments affecting the river.
“We are seeking updates to improve availability of navigation lighting, so boats
move safely on the river; to ensure grab chains and escape ladders are installed where they are needed; and to secure powers to intervene if static boats are found to be overcrowded.
“We are also seeking to update the system for licenses permitting works and dredging on the river which will enable public scope of the HRO.
The PLA submitted an HRO to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), which manages England’s marine areas, in 2020. Public consultation was carried out between August and October 2021. In August last year, following a number of objections to the plans, the MMO called for a public inquiry. The River Thames has inception in 1908. It oversees 248
A number of residents and community organisation attended the penultimate day of a public inquiry into proposed changes to the way the Port of London Authority
The Thames Blue Green Economy’s Diana McCann and Dido Berkeley (R) opposed the HRO in their closing statement at the inquiry in the City of London
By Robert Firth Local Democracy Reporter
KIM MANSELL quit her high-flying marketing career and spent her life’s savings turning an empty railway arch in Deptford into a gym.
Before leaving her previous job, Kim put in 16 hours days to realise her dream of setting up the group training studio on Resolution Way, off Deptford High Street.
The 35-year-old did personal training in the morning before heading to her 9-to-5, earning £50,000, and then spent the evenings planning the gym project. Her hard work eventually paid off in February when she left her former job and opened Après London.
Lewisham Council granted planning permission for the project a month earlier in January. Ms Mansell told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that she wanted to create something for the community where she lives.
She said: “The thing with Deptford is, we know it’s up and coming. But I live here. It’s my local community.
I love the fact I built this here, on my doorstep, where I’m already part of the community.
“I had £10,000 in savings: [that’s] wiped out completely, gone. That was my only buffer. I have no family that I can go stay with. It’s just me. It’s a massive risk. If it doesn’t work, I lose everything. It’s all or nothing.”
In 2022, Deptford High Street was named one of the coolest 33 streets in the world following a vote by Time Out magazine. The southern half of
DEPTFORD WOMAN QUITS HIGH-FLYING JOB TO OPEN UP HER OWN GYM IN EMPTY RAILWAY ARCH
to Lewisham Council.
Membership prices at Après London begin at £125 for nine classes per month. While the cost comes in a lot higher than the average monthly gym membership, Kim said she thought the small class sizes (six people to one personal trainer) and community
aspect of group training made the extra price well worth it. She added: “If you’re someone that’s not very good at sticking to their goals, being part of a fitness community is the best way for you to stay motivated and committed to your goals.”
If the gym is a success, Ms Mansell hopes to also eventually open a coffee shop in the arch on Resolution Way.
her ambitions extend beyond South
She said: “I want to be able to make it work here for the next couple of years and then say to investors: ‘this is the big idea to take Central London, to take abroad’ and make a huge impact on the fitness sector.”
To �ind out more go to gym website apreslondon.co.uk
Bus Chaos as routes diverted ‘without warning’
By Issy Clarke
ROTHERHITHE RESIDENTS have been left confused after a road closure has led two key bus routes to be diverted. Routes C10 and 381 are on diversion via Lower Road, Surrey Quays Road and Canada Water Bus Station due to Thames Water roadworks taking place.
Buses are not serving stops from ‘Rotherhithe Tunnel’ (U / X) to ‘Canada Street’ (U / W) in either direction. Brunel Road outside Rotherhithe station has been closed off due to Thames Water improvements taking place with work expected to finish on March 21.
One local resident said he walked a mile to get to the bus stop this morning, adding that the road closure had left children unable to get to school. Another said they had received “no advanced warning” about the bus diversions. Transport for London has advised customers to check their journeys using the planning tools on TfL’s website or the TfL Go app.
the high street has undergone a £2.1 million refurbishment in recent years, according
But
East London.
Kim Mansell said she wanted the fitness studio to be accessible to the local Deptford community
Kim Mansell in Après London,
STATUE UNVEILED FOR MAN WHO SAT OUTSIDE PARLIAMENT FOR TEN YEARS STRAIGHT CAMPAIGNING FOR PEACE
By Isabel Ramirez
A STATUE has been unveiled in Elephant and Castle to honour Brian Haw, the tireless activist who spent a decade outside Parliament demanding an end to war.
Many will remember Brian Haw’s unwavering presence at Parliament Square, where he began his peace protest in June 2001. Through rain and shine, his message against war— particularly the invasion of Iraq and UK and US foreign policies—became a constant reminder to passing MPs.
At the unveiling ceremony outside the Imperial War Museum on Sunday, March 16, Labour MP John McDonnell, who served in Parliament during Haw’s campaign, reflected on his impact: “He wanted to prick the consciences of MPs before they went into Parliament. And that’s why they got so angry with him—because I think he did prick their consciences. It was about what they’d voted for, in particular the invasion of Iraq.”
Haw’s simple yet powerful message—”Stop killing the children”—resonated globally, gaining national and international media attention. It remains inscribed on the newly unveiled statue.
From the outset, Haw’s campaign was supported by individuals who brought him food and clothing as he maintained his vigil 24/7, 365 days a year.
Despite battling injury, illness, and numerous legal challenges— including attempts by then-London Mayor Boris Johnson, Westminster Council, and various MPs to remove him—he remained steadfast. Only when his health deteriorated did he
leave for cancer treatment in Berlin, where he passed away in June 2011 at the age of 62.
Now, nearly 14 years after his passing, a permanent tribute stands in his honor. A 72 cm bronze maquette, sculpted by Amanda Ward, has been placed at the School of Historical Dress in Lambeth, directly opposite the Imperial War Museum.
The location is particularly poignant, as it sits just outside the exclusion zone that was introduced in 2005 in an attempt to silence Haw’s protest.
The campaign to create this lasting memorial began in February 2023, led by a group of Haw’s supporters, including the late Michael Culver and actor Mark Rylance.
Over 1,000 public donors contributed more than £25,000 to bring the project to life.
The unveiling ceremony featured speeches from Haw’s family, project supporters, and prominent activists, including Mark Rylance, John McDonnell MP, peacebuilder Scilla Elworthy, Stop the War Coalition cofounders Chris Nineham and Lindsey German, Imperial War Museums Director-General Caro Howell, and artist Brian Eno.
Haw’s family shared their heartfelt gratitude: “Dad had a voice, made louder with the help of a megaphone, of course. He chose to use it for those who could not be heard—the many innocents being killed, day in, day out.
“To some, he was a nuisance.
To many, he was their voice and conscience. But to us, he was our strong, courageous father.
“His unwavering commitment and steadfastness are etched into every inch of this wonderful statue. 24
hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, here in bronze. Dad saw three Prime Ministers come and go. His beautiful bronze statue will remain to see many more and safeguard his legacy as a man who sacrificed all for peace.”
Mark Rylance added, “Once again, Brian Haw is a presence in London. For ten years, the grass outside Westminster was his, and now he has a new permanent, symbolic home.
“He shouted loudly for peace and inspired many protests, including the 2003 Stop the War march against the Iraq war, which brought two million people onto London’s streets. At a time of massive global uncertainty, we are pleased to have Brian back and hope that he will continue to inspire generations of people to shout for peace as loudly as possible.”
Sculptor Amanda Ward explained
her artistic approach: “I captured Brian Haw at a point in his life when he was worn down by years of hardship—sleeping on the pavement, enduring constant political and police pressure, and making loud, persistent protests. By then, he needed crutches for support, and he quite liked the comparison with the Winston Churchill statue in Parliament Square, which, of course, has a walking stick.
“I’m sure he would approve of his figure standing here now. It has taken a long time to reach this point, but I’m glad we have. Brian’s message is as relevant today as it was when he was part of everyday life in Westminster.”
The choice of location is deeply meaningful. The School of Historical Dress at 52 Lambeth Road has a long history of supporting those in need.
Originally the Royal South London
Medical Dispensary, it later became part of Bethlem Hospital, treating World War I soldiers suffering from shellshock—now known as PTSD. It later served as a hostel for distressed women and girls before becoming the School of Historical Dress in 2016.
Professor Jenny Tiramani, Principal of the School of Historical Dress, expressed her pride: “It’s wonderful that one of the great peace campaigners now has a permanent place here. This building has been a centre of care and treatment for those in need for much of its history. It is entirely fitting that Brian Haw’s statue sits here.”
The Imperial War Museum, standing opposite, offers a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of conflict. Since 1917, it has documented the impact of war on people’s lives and explored peace movements’ influence on perceptions of war.
Caro Howell, Director-General of Imperial War Museums, noted, “We are pleased that, following a successful fundraising campaign, this permanent reminder of the influential peace campaigner Brian Haw is being unveiled. IWM London provides a poignant reminder of war’s impact on people’s lives. We hope this memorial encourages visitors to explore these important stories of peace and their impact on British history.”
A free exhibition of photographs of Brian Haw’s Parliament Square Peace Campaign by Richard Keith Wolff will run at the School of Historical Dress from the 16-23rd March.
The statue can be seen outside the School of Historical Dress, on Lambeth Road, opposite the Imperial War Museum.
By Noah Vickers Local Democracy Reporter
SIR SADIQ Khan has announced more than £7m of funding from City Hall and Transport for London (TfL) to stop road run-off pollution entering waterways, as he pursues his pledge to create ‘swimmable rivers’ across the capital.
It comes after the mayor promised in his manifesto to bring London’s waterways up to a “swimmable” level of cleanliness by 2034.
Sir Sadiq’s team said the £7.15m funding package will enable “large-scale rewilding, and provide funding from the Green Roots Fund for community groups, charities and others to deliver nature projects for waterways”.
The money will also be put towards preventing run-off pollution entering rivers and streams, which degrades water quality and can kill aquatic life. Run-off occurs when pollutants – such as fertilisers, oil and pesticides – are washed into waterways when it rains.
The funding announcement was accompanied by the mayor hosting a roundtable meeting on Thursday to discuss how different agencies can work together to clean up the capital’s rivers.
The summit was held in a packedout room in the Engine House at Walthamstow Wetlands, and included senior representatives from Thames Water, the London Wildlife Trust, TfL, charities and others.
However, Zack Polanski, chair of the London Assembly’s environment committee, took to social media to complain about the lack of an invitation for him or his colleagues – who work on a cross-party basis to scrutinise the mayor’s
environmental policies.
Mr Polanski, who is deputy leader of the Green Party and was speaking in a personal capacity rather than as committee chairman, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “It’s very disappointing that the environment committee didn’t receive an invite to the roundtable in our important role as the voice of Londoners.
“I personally want to ask questions about the urgency to nationalise Thames Water and both I and the committee have been prevented from engaging in the roundtable.”
Approached for a response to Mr Polanski, a spokesman for the mayor said: “Today’s event was held to kickstart work to improve London’s waterways and included a diverse range of participants.
“The deputy mayor for environment and energy regularly attends the London Assembly’s environment committee to update them on the mayor’s plans to clean up London’s waterways.”
They also appeared to indicate that Mr Polanski and his committee may be involved at future stages of the process, by saying that Thursday’s roundtable was “just the start” of Sir Sadiq’s efforts to create swimmable rivers.
The mayor told the LDRS that the policy of cleaning up London’s waterways was “an issue of social justice and environmental justice”.
He added: “What you’ve got today is the coming together of all the key individuals and groups – we’ll be working towards a clean and healthy waterways plan. But also we’ve had today an announcement of significant funds – not just from City Hall and TfL – but from Thames Water and the London Wildlife Trust.”
Sir Sadiq was joined on his visit to the Wetlands by TV presenter and author
OVER £7 MILIION TO MAKE WATERWAYS ‘SWIMMABLE’
Steve Backshall, who has thrown his weight behind the mayor’s plan.
Mr Backshall said: “It’s a massive part of our wellbeing, particularly in a big city like London.
“For me, I’ve spent the last five or six years just rampaging against Thames Water and against the outages of sewage into our waterways. To see this, as a positive first step to a better future, is a big deal.”
Chris Weston, CEO of Thames Water, was
not made available for interviews with journalists on the day of the roundtable.
In a statement released as part of City Hall’s press release however, he said:
“Like our customers, we care deeply about our rivers.
“Our sewage works upgrades, the Lee Tunnel and Thames Tideway Tunnel are already protecting the tidal Thames and reducing sewage discharges by 95%.
“Today marks the start of the next phase of improvements with a £1.8bn
Council criticised for approving controversial restructuring of safeguarding team the day after teenager was shot
By By Isabel Ramirez
A UNION official has criticised a South London council for approving controversial plans to restructure its child safeguarding team in the same week a 16-yearold schoolboy was shot dead in the borough.
Jocelyn Cruywagen, Lambeth Unison’s branch secretary, said it was ‘wrong time’ for the council to be deleting jobs in the Contextual Safeguarding Team, which works to protect vulnerable young people in the borough from exploitation.
Councillors waved through proposals to redesign the team, which is expected to save Lambeth Council £424,000, at a meeting on Wednesday, March 5, as part of its 2025/26 budget. A day before, on March 4, teenager Lathaniel Burrell (pictured) was murdered near Stockwell Tube station, in Lambeth. Omer Prempeh, 32, from Forest Hill, and a 17-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons have been charged with his murder.
Ms Cruywagen told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that the incident highlighted the need for the council to maintain services which protect children and young people in the borough.
In an email, she wrote: “The current service is highly intelligence-led, a specialist role, and staff and Unison think this aspect would be lost and less effective with the proposed changes.
“In light of the tragic shooting of [a] young man [in] Stockwell last week and other ongoing issues in
society, grooming gangs, inquiries into failures to protect young people from exploitation elsewhere in the country, gang violence and knife crime, we believe this is the wrong time to be cutting back this service.”
The Children’s Services Contextual Safeguarding Team was set up two years ago by the council as a pilot and many staff are on fixed-term contracts, which can come to an end at some point or be extended.
According to Lambeth Unison, some posts are being deleted as part of the team’s ‘redesign’, while others are being regraded and job descriptions rewritten. The union says there will be an overall loss of staff as a result of the restructure.
Lambeth Unison is demanding the council pauses the team’s redesign and makes no compulsory redundancies. The union also wants the council to consult staff about the changes to the safeguarding team, which it claims Lambeth hasn’t yet done.
There is a higher level of violent crime committed against children and young people in Lambeth than other similar London boroughs, such as neighbouring Southwark.
A City Hall report from 2019 found that 90 per cent of wards in Lambeth had above average levels of serious youth violence, compared to 81 per cent in Southwark.
A Lambeth Council spokesperson said: “Following a very successful twoyear pilot, Lambeth Council is seeking to strengthen our direct work with
Councillors waved through proposals to redesign the team, which is expected to save Lambeth Council £424,000, as part of its 2025/26 budget.
children and young people at risk of exploitation.
“Early intervention, prevention and trusted relationships are key to protecting our young people.
“While information gathering is crucial, and remains a core part of
our work, we are strengthening our approach by increasing direct support, befriending and multi-disciplinary interventions. This will ensure that all vulnerable young people receive the direct help they need at the earliest opportunity.”
investment programme that shifts the focus from the Thames to its tributaries and includes a major new programme to reduce sewage overflows on the Roding, Wandle, Lee and Brent.
“We’re committed to the mayor’s ambition for partnership working and I’m delighted to announce the launch of a new £20m fund for environment and community groups, whose work and insights are having such a positive impact on the health of our rivers.”
MAN AND WOMAN FOUND DEAD
By Issy Clake
AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after the death of a man and woman in Thamesmead earlier this month.
Police were called shortly after 3pm on Tuesday March 11, after concerns were raised for the welfare of the occupants of an address in Holstein Way, Thamesmead.
When emergency services arrived they found a man and a woman with serious injuries who were both declared dead at the scene.
Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry, who leads policing in Bexley, said: “I know many residents in the local area will be questioning why police are carrying out enquiries within Holstein Way. We are currently investigating the death of two people, which was unexpected and unexplained.
“At this early stage, we are working with officers and local authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths. We believe that the two were known to each other, and at this time we are not seeking to speak with anyone else in connection with this.
“A crime scene will remain in place until we have conducted our enquiries. Thank you to those in the local area for their patience.”
Their next of kin has been informed and are being supported by specialist officers during this sad time.
Sir Sadiq Khan was joined on the visit by Steve Backshall. Noah Vickers/Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Pop-up shop with groceries for a fiver to open in Walworth this April
CAMPAIGNERS THREATEN LEGAL
ACTION AGAINST COUNCIL OVER ‘DAMAGE’ TO BROCKWELL PARK
By Isabel Ramirez
CAMPAIGNERS FIGHTING to protect Brockwell Park from largescale private events are raising funds in case they need to take Lambeth Council to court.
The group, which argues the park is ‘under threat’, first launched a petition last summer, demanding an end to what they call the ‘fencing off and damaging’ of the public space. The petition attracted nearly 3,000 signatures.
Since then, residents, and regular park users—who say their concerns are being ignored—have been crowdfunding to support their cause.
Bridgerton star and Lambeth resident Adjoa Andoh took to X on Tuesday, March 11, to voice her support for the campaign, commenting: “We are a poor borough but shame on you @lambeth_council for not protecting the park better.”
They claim the park has suffered from repeated damage due to major events such as Mighty Hoopla and City Splash. Issues they highlight include HGVs driving across the grass, an influx of 180,000 festivalgoers over just six days, and events held in heavy rain. Other
concerns include polluting generators running around the clock, security lighting disrupting the park’s natural darkness, and the impact of waste and overflowing toilets.
The campaign’s crowdfunding page warns of an alarming decline in biodiversity, claiming: “Since 2021, 32 protected species have disappeared, with noise and light pollution disrupting key habitats and impacting protected bats.”
It continues: “If we do not stop these events, the park won’t recover, and nor will our community.”
The group has set a fundraising target of £30,000 to cover potential legal costs, including challenges to event permits, licensing, and planning procedures, as well as expert reports.
Among their demands, they are calling for the land to be left to recover for ‘one or more years’ to restore the soil. They also want private event organisers to contribute to repairing any significant damage caused.
So far, the crowdfunding campaign has raised £5,090.
Lambeth Council were approached for comment but did not respond at the time of going to press.
New ‘memory wallets’ to support families who have lost a baby in south London
By Isabel Ramirez
FAMILIES IN South London facing pregnancy loss will soon receive extra support through a new initiative at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
The Pregnancy Loss Memory Wallets, launching in March 2025, have been designed with input from bereaved parents and healthcare
professionals to offer both emotional comfort and practical guidance. They provide clear information on recovery, support services, and a way for families to keep cherished mementoes.
Veronica Finn, who helped develop the wallets after her own experience of pregnancy loss, said: “These wallets add a personal touch to a tragic situation, offering inclusivity
and comfort on the darkest days.”
Tracey Carter, Chief Nurse at King’s, added: “Losing a child is devastating, but we are here to provide families with the support they need.”
Funded by the South East London Local Maternity and Neonatal System, the Memory Wallets will be available at King’s College Hospital and Princess Royal University Hospital.
By Isabel Ramirez
A POP-UP pantry offering affordable food shops for just £5 is launching in Walworth this April.
Peckham Pantry, which has been providing low-cost, healthy food since 2019, is expanding with three new temporary locations to help more people access essential groceries without breaking the bank.
Last year alone, the pantry saw up to 15,000 shops take place, proving the high demand for affordable food in the community.
The first of the shops opens on Tuesday, April 15, at the Rachel Leigh Community Hall, 32 Andrews Walk, Walworth SE17 3JQ.
For just £5, shoppers can fill their baskets with fresh fruit, vegetables and store cupboard staples worth at least £15—offering a major boost to households struggling with the cost of living.
Shahid Mughal, Head of Food Services & Finance, explained: “Given our operational experience of running both the Southwark Foodbank and Peckham Pantry, we are proposing a pathway to transition from reliance on food banks to a more sustainable pantry model that offers a more dignified and financially viable alternative for communities.
“Our flagship store on Peckham Park Road is now offering support from Thames Reach for members on Thursdays from 10am-4pm. Plus, we have a steering group that organises events, and meetings and even produced a cookbook. We are looking forward to being part of the change in Southwark on how we deliver food to those affected by the cost of living.”
From April 1, 2025, the cost of a shop at Peckham Pantry will rise from £4.50 to £5. This will be the first price increase since 2020, ensuring the service remains sustainable while continuing to provide great value for money.
To mark the launch of the Walworth pop-up, community members and representatives from Southwark will be in attendance, along with a few surprises for those joining on opening day. Reserve your place and be part of the movement for affordable food in Southwark by registering via Eventbrite.
OPENING TIMES
Peckham Pantry, 49-53 Peckham Park Road –Tuesdays 10am-4pm, Wednesdays 9am-4pm, Thursdays 10am-7pm, Fridays 9am-4pm and Saturdays 9am-3pm
St.Luke’s, Chandlers Way –Wednesdays 11am-2pm
Rachel Leigh Community Hall, 32 Andrews Walk – Tuesdays 10am-3pm (from 15 April 2025)
The number of fast food outlets have increased in Southwark despite its high levels of child obesity
Taken after the festivals last summer and supplied by resident
HEADTEACHER ON SPEARHEADING THE SMARTPHONE BAN
EXCLUSIVE
By Issy Clarke
SMARTPHONES ARE the ‘bastion of all ills’ harming young people today says one Bermondsey headteacher, as he calls for parents to back his plans and take a tough line at home.
As evidence mounts pointing to the negative effects of smartphones on young people, Mike Baxter, headteacher at City of London Academy, is at the forefront of efforts to ban them from classrooms in Southwark.
From September, Year 7 pupils at his school will no longer be allowed to bring a smartphone inside the school gates, with parents of incoming children urged to swap out iPhones for old school ‘brick’ phones. The ban will roll over each year, until eventually every age group before Year 10 is smartphone-free in three years’ time.
It won’t be popular with pupils, he concedes: “But that’s the role of adults. You’re meant to make decisions for younger people in their best interests. And I think they will look back and see it as a positive thing.”
The school currently runs a strict ‘not seen, not heard’ policy when it comes to mobile phones, which have to be placed in a pouch at the beginning of every day. If pupils have it out during the school day they lose it for a week –with no exceptions.
The policy is generally well supported by parents, although Baxter said some have marched into reception angrily quoting the European Convention on Human Rights when their child’s phone has been confiscated.
Last year, Baxter spearheaded a plan to get eighteen schools to to
“I’ve had parents quote the European Convention on Human Rights to me”
ban smartphones for pupils before Year 10. Those schools all ran a consultation with parents and have since adopted different various forms of smartphone bans; all of which
differentiate between brick phones
and smartphones.
“We know that smartphones are the bastions of all the ills we see with young people” Baxter says. “Online
bullying, attention fragmentation, sleep deprivation, poor socialisation. Whereas with brick phones there is no issue around mental health. They are communication devices.”
A recent report from the House of Commons Education Committee revealed a 52 per cent increase in children’s screen time between 2020 and 2022, with nine in ten children owning a smart phone by the age of eleven. Other studies have linked the use of smartphones to shortening attention spans and low self esteem, with girls particularly exposed to anxieties about their physical appearance.
Calls to restrict the use of smartphones have sprung from all corners – from UNESCO, which has called for a global ban on smartphones in classrooms – down to Barnet Council in north London which, from September, will be banning smartphones in all its primary and secondary schools.
Campaigning group Smartphone Free Childhood now has 200,000 members who are tackling what its founders describe as “one of the defining parenting challenges of our time”, highlighting how smartphones can be a gateway to explicit and violent pornography, provide a way for sexual predators to contact and groom young children, alongside a host of other disturbing issues. Shockingly, the group cites research which shows the average twelve to fifteen-year-olds now spend 35 hours a week on their smartphones; the equivalent of a fulltime job.
UK legislators have been slower to act. Last week MPs considered, but ultimately watered down, a bill which would have banned smartphones from all schools across England.
“One thing that’s changed in the last few years is there has been a shift in cultural awareness that smartphones now have as many, if not more, downsides compared to upsides” says Baxter, “and I think even two years ago, that debate wasn’t really happening.”
City of London Academy recently gave out its offers for the year ahead, and Baxter will soon be writing to new parents to warn them about the school’s smartphone policy. He is looking forward to a year’s time, when he’ll be able to compare the behaviour and performance of the phone-free Year 7’s with the year above.
City of London Academy
Find out more at https://www.selondonics.org/flu-vaccination
By Isabel Ramirez
CYCLISTS WILL be able to use a free shuttle service when the new Silvertown Tunnel opens next month, Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed.
Opening on Monday 7 April, the Silvertown Tunnel is 1.4km (just under one mile) long and will link Newham and the Greenwich Peninsula TfL says the Cycle Shuttle Service will be able to carry a wide range of cycles and feature silver and blue branding to distinguish the vehicles from the regular bus network.
The service, which will be free to use for the first year, will operate every 12 minutes daily from 06:30 to 21:30.
The bikes should be no longer than 2.14 metres (7ft), no wider than 0.76m (2ft 6ins) and no higher than 1.4m (4ft 7ins) at the handlebar, and weigh less than 300kg (660lb) including the rider and any belongings being carried.
E-bikes, as well as Santander Cycles and third-party hire bikes, will also be allowed on the service.
It will have 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.
Pedestrians will not be allowed to use the service. However, new bus routes serving Greenwich, Newham, and Tower Hamlets will be free for at least the first year.
These routes are the new express bus service Superloop SL4 and extended route 129, which will go through the Silvertown Tunnel
Lorna Murphy, director of buses
at TfL, said: “We have designed this service to support as many different cycle designs as possible within the physical space available, and we look forward to seeing Londoners using it
once the Silvertown Tunnel opens.”
Stagecoach London’s managing director, Paul Lynch, said the company had been getting its drivers and buses ready.
CYCLISTS CAN GET A FREE SHUTTLE BUS WHEN THE NEW SILVERTOWN TUNNEL OPENS NEXT MONTH Interactive map allows people to search internet speed
By Noah Vickers Local Democracy Reporter
AN INTERACTIVE MAP, HAS been released by City Hall that shows internet connectivity speeds in London by postcode.
Further action is needed to encourage the roll-out of full-fibre internet connectivity across London, City Hall was told this week.
While significant progress has been made in boosting high-speed coverage in the capital over recent years, parts of the city are still blighted by ‘not-spots’ where Londoners struggle with slow internet.
As well as causing problems for families and households, the London Assembly was told by a representative from the Federation of Small Businesses that connectivity issues in some areas of the capital are damaging trade.
Speaking at a meeting of the Assembly’s economy, culture and skills committee, the FSB’s Laura Timm said: “There’s a lot of ‘not-spots’, where business owners are struggling. We even have cases where business owners say that across the street, they can have a superfast fibre connection, but on their side of the street, they cannot.”
She added: “Although general coverage is pretty good, we also have case studies from people from outside of London who’ve moved to London and have actually been so surprised, because they were expecting a better connection. They used to have a better connection living outside of the London area, and they’re now struggling.”
According to Ofcom data analysed by City Hall, some 66.7 per cent of London premises had full-fibre broadband available to them, as of July last year. Fullfibre provides the fastest internet speeds available in the UK and is less likely to
slow down during busy periods.
In some boroughs however, the figure drops considerably lower. In Enfield, only 31.6 per cent have full fibre coverage, and in neighbouring Barnet, only 44.2 per cent. Meanwhile, some smaller pockets of the city still don’t have connections of 30Mb/s or higher. This is the speed generally deemed necessary to comfortably cover the essential internet demands of small households, supporting between 1-4 devices or users.
In Upminster, for example, 12 per cent of premises don’t have 30Mb/s, and a further 7.4 per cent don’t even have connections of 10Mb/s.
Parts of central London struggle with even worse proportions of coverage.
In St James’ ward in Westminster, which includes the Houses of Parliament, 33.1 per cent of premises don’t have connections of 30 Mb/s or higher. The same is true for 32.1 per cent of the ‘square mile’ of the City of London. This is partly due to the complexity of securing ‘wayleave’ agreements, where landlords grant permission for broadband companies to install cables, for example, by temporarily drilling a hole in their property. The process of securing this permission – and even working out who to ask for it – can take a long time.
Andrew Ferguson, editor-inchief of broadband comparison site ThinkBroadband, told Wired magazine in 2019: “There’s weird little bits of London where the borough doesn’t own the little bit of pavement in front of the building, because of some agreement from 400 years ago. That’s how complex London is.”
Trevor Dorling, director of the Digital Greenwich unit at Greenwich Council, told Tuesday’s committee meeting that the broadband market has also seen a
A map showing areas of London where internet speeds of 30Mb/s are currently unavailable.
Credit: Greater London Authority
“This new bus service simply means that cyclists can also benefit from the important new transport link under the river, and we’re pleased to be entrusted with providing it by TfL.”
“contraction” over the last 18 months, with companies less willing to invest in expanding coverage across the city.
“It’s a considerable number [of homes without gigabit internet connection capabilities],” he said. “And if we could be confident that that was going to be addressed in the next six months or the next two years, then I think we could sort of sit back and say ‘Well, we’ve just got to allow the market to do what it’s got to do’.
“But I think there’s a serious concern that we’ll back here in two years’ time, not having made much progress with those dwellings which haven’t got connectivity.”
He added: “We know the Government is
looking at measures that it can introduce for urban areas. I think it would be good if that could be accelerated. The mayor has published his Growth Plan for London. Connectivity features in that [plan], and it has to underpin that.
“For us in Greenwich – but I think it’s true for all of us – we see it as absolutely crucial for our economy, for the amenity of our residents, for the changing nature of the economy, people working from home, people studying at home and so on, but also the delivery of the next generation of public services.”
In Sir Sadiq Khan’s London Growth Plan, mentioned by Mr Dorling, the
mayor wrote: “Improving internet access across the city will support productivity, better public services and safer local places.
“For example, SMEs are missing out on an estimated £28bn in annual revenue due to slow and unreliable workplace broadband. Installing full fibre broadband allows the city to expand CCTV coverage and install sensors to monitor traffic congestion and air quality.
“London will continue to expand full fibre, improve capacity in mobile networks to boost 5G coverage and make WiFi access easier, by working in partnership with industry.”
RESEARCH TO STUDY WHY HOUSEBUILDING IS BEING ‘BLOCKED’ ACROSS THE CAPITAL
By Noah Vickers
Local Democracy Reporter
A £750,000 funding package aimed at boosting housebuilding across London has been handed down to the capital by the Government, mayoral documents reveal.
The money will mostly be used to pay for research exploring the issues which have blocked up the supply of new homes in the city – as well as studying how more housing can specifically be created in two suburbs at opposite ends of London.
According to the latest data, a total of 32,162 new homes were created in net terms in London in the 2023/24 financial year – a reduction of nine per cent on the previous 12 months, and the lowest for a decade. The number of homes starting construction and classed as ‘affordable’ has collapsed at a much more severe rate however, falling 88 per cent over the same period. Some London boroughs have seen construction start on just one new affordable property each in the space of a year.
Speaking at the Mipim property conference in Cannes earlier this week, Sir Sadiq Khan said he was “the first to admit supply has not met demand, and we have got to do better, and we’re going to do better with the support of national Government, councils, but also with some foreign investment”.
The mayor said London had not been immune from the worst national housebuilding conditions on record since the Second World War, with construction costs, inflation, high interest rates, lack of skilled labour, the Ukraine war and Brexit all holding back construction.
A decision document recently signed and published by Sir Sadiq reveals that the £750,000 package from Government agency Homes England will partly be used to study how more homes can be built in Feltham and Ilford in particular.
Some £200,000 of the package will be given to Hounslow Council. Of that sum, £110,000 will be put towards “studies to support potential new housing associated with the forthcoming disposal of the Feltham Ministry of Defence (MoD) site”
The MoD’s Intelligence Collection Group
of buildings, on Elmwood Avenue, is due to be disposed of in 2026, according to a Government database – which also states that the 11.8-hectare site could potentially accommodate 800 new homes
Hounslow’s remaining £90,000 will be put towards work to deliver “a refreshed Feltham masterplan”, with the mayor’s document saying that the west London suburb enjoys a “growing residential and business potential”, making it “a key focus for regeneration”.
It adds: “However, targeted support is needed to unlock the area’s full potential. A refreshed and expanded masterplan for Feltham is a top priority for the council this year.
“This funding will support a transport strategy; an industrial land and intensification study; and a feasibility
study to review delivery options on council-owned sites.”
Meanwhile, £550,000 of the Government funding package will be given to City Hall, with £120,000 of that share going towards a “study into accelerating housing delivery” in Ilford
Sir Sadiq’s document states that home-building in the north-east London neighbourhood has underperformed in comparison to projections from 20 years ago, when the area was first identified as an “opportunity area” (OA) for development.
It reads: “Ilford town centre was designated as an OA in 2004, when it was identified as having capacity for 5,500 new homes.
“Only around 2,000 homes have been completed since then, so the OA remains far from meeting its [updated] potential
of 6,000 by 2041. This work will look at the factors holding back development, and what can be done to encourage sustainable growth.”
More generally across London, £250,000 of City Hall’s share of the cash will pay for “studies into potential additional housing capacity”, including “areas near public transport nodes that have the highest potential to promote higher-density, lowcar sustainable developments”.
At the same time, £150,000 has been allocated for a “study into Mayoral Development Corporation (MDCs) and Land Assembly Zones as tools for housing delivery”. These are areas where the mayor creates a new public body to manage the regeneration of a particular district.
MDCs already exist in the area around
the Olympic Park in Stratford, and at Old Oak and Park Royal in west London –where a High Speed 2 (HS2) interchange station is being built. Sir Sadiq has proposed creating an MDC to manage the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street and has suggested he will create more in other parts of the capital over the coming years.
Finally, some £30,000 is being used to develop a proposal – in partnership with the Government – to “support the capacity and skills of London’s local planning authorities in response to sustained resourcing challenges”
The lack of qualified planning officers across the UK is thought to be playing a significant role in the slow speed with which new developments are signed off by local councils.
EXPLODING E-BIKE ‘CAUSES HOUSE FIRE IN BRIXTON’
By Issy Clarke
A FAMILY made a lucky escape after London Fire Brigade an e-bike exploded in the middle of the night while it was being charged at a house on Wellington Road in Brixton.
Firefighters were called to the house at 02:25am on Tuesday, 11 March and brought the fire under control before 03:35am.
A woman and three children managed to get out of the property before firefighters arrived and were treated for smoke inhalation, including the woman who was taken
to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews
Most of the second floor of the house was damaged by fire, and the third floor was damaged by heat and smoke
The fire is believed to have been caused by the explosion of the lithium batteries on the converted e-bike which was being charged at the time, according to the Brigade.
Lambeth Borough Commander, Jonathan Holt, said: “This appears to have been an extraordinary escape for this family after their home became engulfed in flames in the middle of the night. One of the occupants was alerted to a loud bang and discovered
the fire, quickly alerting the others to get out.
“The first firefighters were on scene within three minutes of being alerted and observed thick black smoke billowing from the property. The scale of devastation caused by this fire demonstrates just how ferocious fires involving lithium batteries can be.
“On Monday, 17 March, firefighters and representatives from the local council and other partners held an event in Brixton town centre, delivering our #ChargeSafe advice to people who use e-bikes and e-scooters.”
E-bikes and e-scooters have become one of London’s fastest-growing fire
risks. In 2023 and 2024, there has been a fire on average every other day.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Prevention & Protection, Richard Field, added: “E-bikes and e-scooters can be a great and sustainable way to travel around our city but they must be used safely otherwise the risk of a fire increases.
“Converting pedal bikes into e-bikes using DIY kits bought online can be very dangerous. Get a professional or competent person to carry out the conversion and make sure to buy a battery from a reputable seller and that it is not second-hand.?
“When charging your e-bike or
e-scooter or the batteries for them, make sure you are using the correct charger. Mismatching the charger increases the risk of fire. It’s also important not to overcharge and to unplug the charger once it’s completed charging.
“Never charge an e-bike or e-scooter unattended or whilst you’re sleeping and don’t charge it on an escape route, such as in a hallway. Instead, charge or store the device outdoors or in a shed. If this is not possible, make sure the device is in a room where you can shut a door and contain a fire and that you have working smoke detection fitted.”
Construction continues on some of the affordable homes funded by City Hall.
Photo by Noah Vickers
what’s on
A Ceremony at Copeland
FUTURE RITUAL presents CEREMONY, a new 5-day festival of choreographic work and performance art at Peckham’s Copeland Gallery.
CEREMONY concludes a year-long series of performances, exhibitions, artist labs and workshops exploring performance as a form of collective gathering amidst the fragmentation of contemporary life.
This April’s rich offerings include a new work commissioned by Future Ritual from seasoned dance artist emilyn claid and renowned performance artist Martin O’Brien, alongside new performances by Anne Bean, recipient of a 2024 Paul Hamlyn Award, SERAFINE1369 and UK premieres from international artists including Marilyn Arsem, the noted American artist and co-founder of Mobius Artist Group, Liz Rosenfeld, who lives and works primarily in Berlin and VestAndPage.
VestAndPage will lead a week-long intensive co-creation workshop, inviting artists to explore our time’s urgent and vital portals personally and collectively. They question how we can artistically reinvent rites of passage and rituals for modern society.
Future Ritual’s work fosters spaces of sensitivity and attunement in which to think and feel through ideas of land, desire, belief, mystery and death. Founded by artist Joseph Morgan Schofield in 2017, Future Ritual are interested in performance ritual as a way of producing community and a sense of belonging, and as a way of experiencing our time in the world differently.
Says Morgan Schofield “There is a desire and urgency for these kinds of experiences - for processing the challenges of the contemporary world. We find performance art to be a potent way to offer this kind of experience to audiences, particularly for those of us outside of normative religions and cultures. We are interested in things which feel transgressive, which take us towards a more raw edge of experience where we can think and feel differently.”
Encountering different works from across Bean’s five decades of practice, her new work ‘What is that damned beast?
Anatomy of performance’ will explore what performance could be and why we keep doing it.
Says Anne: “This is a search, a hunt, for the beast that has plagued and soothed me, seared me and haunted me, filled me with unease and with tenderness, with fear and quietude, with disturbance and focus, with bewilderment, with perplexity, with astonishment. It has offered me doorways to transcendence and banishment. This fire-spitting, shape-changing, teeth baring, ecstasy inducing beast will be encountered in some of its manifestations in my lifework”
FROM ENGLISH QUEEN TO NEW YORK SEX WORKER CHI’S CAREER
ELENA CHI saw The Lion King as a seven-year-old and remembers ‘the feeling of adrenaline watching every performer deliver the goods, the costumes, the set, everything!
I laughed, I cried and thought to myself: I wanna do that, it looks like so much fun!’, writes Michael Holland.
An attempt at competitive swimming ended when Elena realised she would not make it professionally: ‘I had always loved performing, having performed
in school plays, etc., but it wasn’t until I decided to quit swimming that I fully committed to training to get into drama school!’
The hard work paid off and Elena studied her new craft at the Performance Preparation Academy. Since then she has played some big names: Frida Kahlo, Marie Curie and Catherine Parr, the wife of Henry VIII who survived.
‘I’ve always enjoyed telling their stories,’ begins the actor, ‘but the most fun was definitely Frida Kahlo. She is just such a
powerhouse of a woman; her passion, fire and vulnerability took me on such an emotional journey night after night. I feel honoured to have brought her back to life on the stage.’
Elena will be back on the stage as Dolores, a character in the new musical based on the iconic 60s’ film Midnight Cowboy. This time, however, her female status has hit a low. Elena explains: ‘She is a 17-year-old prostitute (not by choice) and is held captive in a brothel.’
The film was originally banned. I asked
if this musical version would be family viewing. ‘All I will say is that the age rating is 12+,’ she says diplomatically.
The songwriter, E.G. White, has an amazing pedigree. Does it show in the music written for this production?
‘Absolutely! His music and lyrics work incredibly well along with the storyline and overall mood of the show. I can’t wait for people to hear it, they’re all so catchy! I can’t get them outta my head!’
How are the rehearsals going?
‘I’m having so much fun!’ Exclaims Elena excitedly. ‘We are now in our second week of rehearsals and it is definitely a show like no other. We have such a stellar cast! I feel so lucky to be working in a room with top-tier talent! I am learning so much and Nick Winston’s vision with his direction and choreography is euphoric. This show is undeniably a highlight of my career so far!’
Now I am excited as Elena.
‘Come watch us at the Southwark Playhouse - You won’t want to miss it! Yeehaw!’
Midnight Cowboy: A New Musical. Southwark Playhouse Elephant, 1 Dante Place, London, SE11 4RX from the 4th April - 17th May! Mon - Sat 7pm, Matinees Thurs & Sat 2.30pm. Tickets: Previews 4 – 9 April | Pioneer’s Previews £12 (4 April only), Standard Previews £18; Standard tickets from £20 | Concessions tickets £22.50. Booking: 020 7407 0234 / southwarkplayhouse.co.uk
EACH YEAR, The Globe stages a production specifically aimed at young people, with the laudable goal of making theatre more accessible. This year’s choice is Macbeth — a fitting selection given the play’s enduring themes of ambition and power, which remain as relevant today as ever, writes Katie Kelly.
With Macbeth a staple of school curriculums, it’s a smart choice because this abridged version of the play loses none of its impact.
Set in a modern yet unspecified era, the characters are mostly clad in military fatigues. The set is mainly bare; with a sprinkling of camouflage nets doing some heavy lifting. There is nothing here that couldn’t be reproduced in a tour of schools if that was the intention.
The production opens with a striking image: three teenagers are chased down and shot, only to rise and return as the bloodied, hoodie-clad witches.
Their acrobatics and unsettling presence were captivating and one of the production’s more memorable features. Another bold choice was casting Macduff as a woman, with Roxy Faradany giving a powerful performance in the role.
For many, Shakespeare’s language can be a barrier. The best actors overcome this with performances that bring the meaning out clearly. The Globe productions do not consistently achieve this goal, and this is sadly no exception. Some actors came close.
Patrick Osborne as Macbeth showed some subtlety and depth, and Hanora Kamena was compelling as Lady Macbeth.
One of the evening’s highlights was the Porter’s speech — a witty, contemporary rewrite that hilariously roasted audience members. This winning entry from a nationwide student writing competition was a real crowd-pleaser. In fact, the students themselves were a highlight throughout — their zest and engagement added huge energy to the experience. While it didn’t often unlock the power of Shakespeare’s language, the play succeeded in engaging its young audience. For that, The Globe deserves credit.
Verdict: 8/10 for effort; 6/10 for achievement.
The Globe, Bankside, SE1 until April 20th.
Tickets: £5 - £75.
Booking and full details: https://www. shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on/
Photo by Pamela Raith
Photo by Tristram-Kenton
Heading south - our pick of upcoming spring events
Pirates Love Underpants
Based on the beloved book by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort, Pirates Love Underpants is coming to Broadway Theatre on 3 April, suitable for children aged one and over. These pirates so love underpants… Join the swashbuckling party of pirates on their quest to find the fabled Pants of Gold for the Captain’s Treasure chest. Dodge hungry crocs beneath Long-John Bridge, bob upon the waves of Big Knickers Bay, spot sharks in fancy underpants and trek across Three Pants Ridge. Filled with music, puppetry and glittering pants of gold, arrr you ready to set sail on a family adventure?
Silver Screen Science-Fiction presents... Star Trek
After losing his father on the day of his birth, James Tiberius Kirk (Chris Pine, Wonder Woman) seems destined to follow a very different path to the one we know. He has no intention to join Starfleet, would never meet Spock (Zachary Quinto, Heroes) and McCoy (Karl Urban, Dredd) or command the USS Enterprise. That is until he is recruited by Captain Pike and, thanks to the actions of the same timetravelling villain that took his father from him, is catapulted back onto the path of becoming Captain James T Kirk, with a little help from a very old friend. See the first film in the Kelvin timeline reboot of the classic sci-fi series as you watch Star Trek (2009) in
Whiskey Live
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Whisky Live London 2025 is promising an experience like no other. From limited-edition releases to rare and exceptional whiskies, you’ll have the chance to sample an unlimited array of drams that you won’t find anywhere else. Coming to Woolwich Works, Whiskey Live promises a whole host of masterclasses and live entertainment, plus the opportunity to blend your own whisky to take home. In the main hall, all ticket holders will have the exclusive opportunity to sample a limited selection of entrants to the World Whiskies Awards 2025. Immerse yourself in the world of whisky and discover some of the finest expressions that have earned recognition and acclaim.
Dates: Friday 28 and Saturday 29 March 2025. Tickets: Prices vary Woolwich Works, The Fireworks Factory, 11 No 1 Street, Royal Arsenal, SE18 6HD www.whiskylive.com
the unique venue of the Peter Harrison Planetarium. Then, stay in your seats as they take you on a tour of the science behind the fiction with a talk by an astronomer from the Royal Observatory Greenwich. The film will begin at 6 pm with an expected end time of 8:30 pm following the short talk. Latecomers will be allowed admission into the film. This film is rated 12A. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult and attend at the adult’s discretion.
Date: Saturday 19 April 2025, 6pm Tickets: Adult £10, Under 25s £9, Child £5 Royal Observatory, Blackheath Avenue, SE10 8XJ
Punk Alley is a loud and unapologetic joyride of live original punk music and high-energy dance. But don’t leave your adults at home
– this is a punk show for everyone. Enter the world of the Lazurr Tuts at Tramshed this April and enjoy the guitar-wielding, footstomping punk band made up of misfits and outcasts. They are in the business of making music and speaking out, and you have been invited to an exclusive rehearsal. Dance, sing, shout, whisper, stomp, spin, sign and shake with the Lazurr Tuts on a journey of self-expression. No matter how loud or soft, the Lazurr Tuts want you to know that what you have to say is important. Set your inner anarchist free and celebrate the joys of being you in a safe, caring environment in which everyone is equal. Punk Alley is a show full of heart that asks big questions, creating a fun space for young people to explore what they want to use their voice to fight for. The show is fully BSL/ISL interpreted, and everyone is invited to participate in creating songs, writing placards and playing music.
Date: Saturday 5 April 2025, 11am and 3pm. Tickets: £6-£18 Tramshed, 51-53 Woolwich New Road, SE18 6ES www.tramshed.org/punk-alley-by-moxie-brawl
Jazz Saturdays at The Albany
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of Deptford market for an hour with Jazz Saturdays at The Albany, featuring free performances in its CaffA from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. Tap your feet in the garden oasis or take in the sounds over a spot of lunch, this family-friendly drop-in makes the pleasure of live music free for the community.
Date: Saturday 5 April 2025, 1pm Tickets: Free The Albany, Douglas Way, SE8 4AG www.thealbany.org.uk/shows/jazz-saturdays-2
Bear McCreary is the celebrated composer behind some of the biggest film, TV and video game scores, and he is set to kick off his first European tour with a show at Indigo at The O2, with singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Morgan Sorne as the support act. Known for the music behind works such as Battlestar Galactica, Outlander, The Walking Dead and God of War, McCreary will bring selections from the last 20 years of his career to the stage. McCreary musically brings to life everything from a gripping zombie apocalypse to thrilling galactic battles and fateful Jacobite uprisings – and this is your chance to see it live. A sevenpiece band led by McCreary will bring his pieces to life in a rock concert setting, with audiences experiencing the music like never before.
Date: Friday 18 April 2025
Tickets: Prices vary Indigo at The O2, 205 Peninsula Square, SE10 0ES www.theo2.co.uk/events/detail/bear-mccreary
Bear McCreary Live
Transport for London Public Notice
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984
THE GLA ROADS AND GLA SIDE ROADS (WANDSWORTH) RED ROUTE CONSOLIDATION TRAFFIC ORDER 2007 A3205 GLA ROAD (BATTERSEA PARK ROAD) (ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING 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 outside Bank Court, No.193 Battersea Park Road by 17 metres from its southwestern end. Parking at any time.
(2) introduce two electric vehicle charging bays with lengths of 7 metres outside Bank Court, No.193 Battersea Park Road (No Stopping At Any Time Except Charging of Electric Vehicles Only Max 1 hour no return within 2 hours).
(3) introduce 22 metres of Double Red Lines outside Bank Court, No.193 Battersea Park Road. No Stopping At Any Time
3. The road which would be affected by the Order is A3205 Battersea Park Road.
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 NMR/REGULATION/STOT/RC/TRO, GLA/202/0165
•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 NMR/REGULATION/STOT/RC/TRO, GLA/2025/0165, to arrive before 11th April 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 21st day of March 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 A21 GLA ROAD (LEWISHAM HIGH STREET, LONDON BOROUGH OF LEWISHAM) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC, STOPPING AND SUSPENSION OF BUS LANE) ORDER 2025
1. Transport for London having consulted with the London Borough of Lewisham 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 toucan crossing installation works on the A21 Lewisham High Street.
3. The effect of the Order will be to prohibit any vehicle from:
(1) entering or exiting Mount Pleasant Road at its junction with Lewisham High Street;
(2) stopping on unnamed access Road fronting No.410 Lewisham High Street;
(3) stopping on Lewisham High Street between its junctions with Albacore Crescent and Felday Road;
(4) entering, exiting, proceeding or stopping on George Lane between its junction with Lewisham High Street and the extended western building line of No.1 George Lane.
The Order will allow all vehicles to use all bus lanes on the A21 Lewisham High Street between its junctions with Albacore Crescent and Felday Road. The Order will be effective from 12:01 AM on 24th March 2025 until 11:59 PM on 25th September 2025 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 an alternative routes will be indicated by trafc signs via (for closure of George Lane at its junction with Lewisham High Street) Davenport Road and George Lane to normal route of travel.(for the closure of Mount Pleasant) Davenport Road, George Lane and Aldworth Grove to normal route of travel.
Dated this 21st day of March 2025.
Matt Standell Performance and Planning Manager Transport for London
LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH SCHOOL STREETS SCHEME – VARIOUS ROADS EXPERIMENTAL ROAD CLOSURES AND PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLE ZONES
(NOTE: This notice is about closing the roads or parts of roads specified in paragraphs 4, 5 and 6 to this notice to all motor vehicles at certain times of the day by introducing pedestrian and cycle zones, initially as an experiment. The road closures and pedestrian and cycle zones will operate in those roads at the times specified in this notice on Mondays to Fridays inclusive. Objections may be made to the road closures and the pedestrian and cycle zones being continued on a permanent basis – see paragraph 11.)
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth ('the Council') on 18 March 2025 made the Lambeth (Prescribed Routes) (No. 1) Experimental Traffic Order 2025 under sections 9 and 10 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (as amended). The Order will come into force on 31 March 2025.
2. The general effect of the Order will be to ban all motor vehicles, except for permit holders from entering the lengths of roads specified in this Notice during certain times of the day. This will be achieved by making the roads a pedestrian and cycle zone and by installing the appropriate traffic signs.
3. Permits allowing vehicles to enter each pedestrian and cycle zone will be available to residents and employees of businesses and organisations at premises located within or accessible only from that pedestrian and cycle zone, and to disabled persons’ badge holders who fall into the above criteria and have a bona fide reason to enter that pedestrian and cycle zone, by application to the Council.
4. The pedestrian and cycle zone in the lengths of the streets listed in Schedule 1 to this notice will operate between the hours of 8.00 am to 9.15 am and between 2.45 pm to 3.45 pm Monday to Friday.
5. The pedestrian and cycle zone in the lengths of the streets listed in Schedule 2 to this notice will operate between the hours of 8.15 am to 9.15 am and 2.45 pm to 3.45 pm Monday to Friday.
6. The pedestrian and cycle zone in the lengths of the streets listed in Schedule 3 to this notice will operate between the hours of 8.30 am to 9.15 am and 3.00 pm to 3.45 pm Monday to Friday.
7. Any vehicle that is already in those roads or length of roads listed specified above before the pedestrian and cycle zone commences will be permitted to leave.
8. The Order is intended to create a pleasant environment that feels safer in the immediate vicinity of a school or nursery and help reduce road danger, discourage travelling to school by car where alternative means of travel are available, and encourage walking, scooting and cycling to school, thereby achieving positive health outcomes for the school community.
9. If you have any enquiries about this matter, please send them by email to: schoolstreets@lambeth.gov.uk
10. A copy of the Order and other documents giving detailed particulars about it (including maps) 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 request a copy of the Order and the other supporting documents or to arrange inspection at the above address, please email Trafficorders@lambeth.gov.uk
11. The Council will consider in due course whether the provisions of the Order should be continued in force indefinitely by means of a permanent Order made under section 6 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. Any person may object to the making of the permanent Order within a period of 6 months beginning with the date on which the experimental Order comes into force or, if the Order is varied by another Order or modified pursuant to section 10(2) of the 1984 Act, beginning with the date on which the variation or modification or the latest variation or modification comes into force. Any such objection or any representation must be made in writing and all objections must specify the grounds on which they are made (quoting reference School Streets 7), and can be made using our consultation portal at https://streets.appyway.com/lambeth or sent by post to Parking and Enforcement Group (Parking, Network Management & Fleet), London Borough of Lambeth, PO Box 80771, London, SW2 9QQ or by email TMOReps@lambeth.gov.uk. Any objection or representation received may be communicated to, or be seen by, other persons who may have an interest in this matter.
Dated 21
Notice of Application to apply for a Premises Licence made under the Licensing Act 2003
Please take notice that we, Sadguru Krupa Limited
Have made application to the London Borough Of Merton to apply for a Premises Licence in respect of:
Nelson News, 3-4 Merton Park Parade, Kingston Road. SW19 3NT
For:
• The sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises
A register of all applications made with the London Borough Of Merton is maintained by: LICENSING SECTION, LONDON BOROUGH OF MERTON, 2ND FLOOR, CIVIC CENTRE, LONDON ROAD, MORDEN, SURREY, SM4 5DX
A record of this application may be inspected by appointment at Merton Civic Centre. Please email licensing@merton.gov.uk or telephone 020 8545 3969.
It is open to any interested party to make representations about the likely effect of the application on the promotion of the licensing objectives. Representations must be made in writing to the Licensing Section at the office or email address above and be received by the Merton’s Licensing Section within a period of 28 days starting the day after the date shown below.
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.
Date application given to the Council: 13th March 2025
Notice of application for a Premises Licence. Notice is hereby given that Corecore Pizzeria has applied to Wandsworth Council for a new premises licence at 40 Queenstown Road, London, SW8 3RY for selling alcohol from 11:30 to 23:00
Any person who wishes to make a representation in relation to this application must give notice in writing by 11/04/2025 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.
LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH
INCREASES IN ON-STREET PARKING CHARGES, FOR CASHLESS PARKING AND PERMITS, AND INCREASES IN CHARGES IN OFF-STREET CAR PARKS 2025/26
[NOTE: This Notice is about increasing the charges for parking in on-street parking places for cashless parking and permit holder parking and increasing charges for parking in the Council’s Car Parks n the London Borough of Lambeth.]
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth (“the Council”) under sections 35C and 46A of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 is increasing the charges for the use of on-street parking places for cashless parking, permit holder parking and for the use of off-street car parks, in the London Borough of Lambeth. The new charges will not apply in respect of permits to park on the Council’s housing estates.
2. The cashless charges for the use of the on-street parking places will be increased as follows:
Zone Band Current Charge 2024/25 (£) New Charge 2025/26 (£)
Controlled Parking Zone Charge Charge with diesel Charge Charge with diesel
A 6.72 10.08 7.12 12.46
B 6.89 10.33 7.38 12.91
C 7.05 10.58 7.62 13.33
D 7.23 10.84 7.88 13.79
E 7.39 11.09 8.13 14.23
F 7.57 11.36 8.40 14.70
Waterloo
G 7.74 11.61 8.67 15.18
H 8.03 12.04 9.07 15.87
I 8.44 12.66 9.63 16.85
J 8.88 13.32 10.21 17.87 K 9.31 13.97 10.80 18.90 L 9.76 14.63 11.42 19.99
4.93 8.63
E 4.63 6.94 5.09 8.91
F 4.73 7.09 5.25 9.19
G 4.84 7.26 5.42 9.49
H 5.01 7.52 5.66 9.91
I 5.28 7.91 6.02 10.53
5.56 8.33 6.39 11.19
5.82 8.73 6.75 11.81 L 6.10 9.15 7.14 12.49 M 6.39 9.58 7.54 13.20
11. The changes for other Permits will be increased as follows:
A
B
C
9. The changes for a Doctor Permit will be increased as follows: 8. The changes for a Teacher Permit will be increased as follows:
B
E
G
H
J
K
L
B
C
13. The charges for the Diesel Surcharge for Euro 5 and Euro 6 compliant diesel vehicles and the Multi permit surcharge will be increased as follows:
14. The charges for
16. If you have any enquiries concerning the charges described above, please contact Lambeth Parking Services by email at: parkingfeesreview@lambeth.gov.uk
17. The new charges will come into effect from 14 April 2025.
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, to enable works involving the operation of a crane to be carried out, the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth, have made an Order the effect of which will be to temporarily ban pedestrians and vehicles from entering that length of Lambeth High Street which lies between the north-eastern kerb-line of Whitgift Street and the southern kerb-line of Old Paradise Street.
2. Alternative routes will be available for pedestrians affected by the closure referred to in paragraph 1 above via Old Paradise Street, Newport Street and Whitgift Street and vice versa.
3. Alternative routes will be available for affected vehicles via (a) Old Paradise Street, Newport Street and Black Prince Road and vice versa; and (b) Albert Embankment and Lambeth Road and vice versa.
4. The road closure will only apply at such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by the placing of the appropriate traffic signs.
5. The Order will come into force on 28th March 2024 and will continue for a maximum duration of 3 months (to allow for contingencies) or until the works have been completed whichever is the sooner. In practice it is anticipated that the Order will only have effect between 28th and 31st March 2025, but if the works cannot be carried out or completed during that time, then the Order may also have effect on subsequent weekends within the maximum period of 3 months.
Transport for London Public Notice
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984
THE A202 GLA ROAD (PECKHAM HIGH STREET, LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF STOPPING AND TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF BUS LANE) 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 water pipe repair works to take place at A202 Peckham High Street.
To place a notice
and online,
3. The effect of the Order will be to prohibit any vehicle from stopping on the northern kerb line of Peckham High Street between its junctions with Sumner Avenue and Sumner Road.
The Order will also permit all vehicles to use the eastbound Bus Lane on Peckham High Street between its junctions with Sumner Avenue and Sumner Road.
The Order will be effective at certain times from 8.00 PM on the 21st March 2025 until 5.00 AM on the 23rd March 2025 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 21st day of March 2025
Claire Wright
Co-Ordination Manager Transport for London Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984
THE A3200 GLA ROAD (SOUTHWARK STREET / LONDON BRIDGE STREET, LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC AND STOPPING) ORDER 2025
1. Transport for London in consultation with the London Borough of Southwark 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 railway bridge inspection works to take place at A3200 Southwark Street/London Bridge Street.
3. The effect of the Order will be to prohibit any vehicle:
(1) from entering, exiting, proceeding or stopping on the un-named road connecting London Bridge with Station Approach;
(2) from entering, exiting, proceeding or stopping on Guildable Manor Street between its junctions with London Bridge Street and Station Approach;
(3) except buses from stopping on the northern kerb line of Southwark Street between its junctions with Redcross Way and Stoney Street.
The Order will be effective at certain times from 10.00 PM on the 22nd March 2025 until 5.00 AM on the 24th March 2025 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 21st day of March 2025
Claire Wright
Co-Ordination Manager Transport for London Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, to enable local residents/communities to hold special events (Play Street Days), the Council of the
London Borough of Lambeth intend to make an Order the effect of which would be to ban vehicles from entering:-
2.
(a) Athlone Road, between Upper Tulse Hill and Elm Park, on (i) Saturday 24th May 2025, (ii) Saturday 19th July 2025, and; (iii) Saturday 27th September 2025, between 1pm and 4pm; (an alternative route would be available for affected vehicles via Claverdale Road);
(b) Briarwood
Dated 21st March 2025 Ben Stevens Highway Network Manager LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14 TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE ANGLES ROAD
CLEAVER STREET AND METHLEY STREET
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, to enable water main repair and maintenance works to be carried out, the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth subject to the agreement of Transport for London, intend to make an Order the effect of which would be to temporarily:-
(a) ban vehicles from entering that length of Cleaver Street which lies between its junction with Kennington Lane and Kennington Road and a point 19 metres south-east of Kennington Lane and Kennington Road; (b) suspend the one-way system in Cleaver Street between Kennington Lane and Kennington Road and Bowden Street; (c) suspend the one-way system in Bowden Street; (d) suspend the one-way system in Methley Street between Bowden Road and Milverton Street.
2. Alternative routes for vehicles affected by the road closure described in paragraph 1(a) above would be available via Kennington Road, Milverton Road, Methley Street and Bowden Street and vice versa.
3. The ban and suspensions would only apply at such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by the placing and covering of the appropriate traffic signs.
4. The Order would come into force on 7th April 2025 and it would continue for a maximum duration of 1 month (to allow for contingencies) or until the works have been completed whichever is the sooner. In practice it is anticipated that the Order would only have effect between 7th and 15th April 2025, but if the works cannot be carried out or completed during that time, then the Order may have effect at other times within the maximum duration of 1 month
Dated 21st March 2025 Ben Stevens Highways Network Manager
LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 – SECTION 14 TEMPORARY TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS – LAMBETH WALK
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, to enable water repair and maintenance works to be carried out, the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth intend to make an Order the effect of which would be to temporarily ban vehicles from entering that length of Lambeth Walk which lies between Lambeth Road and the south-eastern wall of No. 5 Lambeth Walk.
2. Alternative routes for affected vehicles would be available via (a) Lambeth Road, Sail Street, Juxton Street and Lambeth Walk; and (b) Lambeth Road, Kennington Road, Black Prince Road, New Port Street and Old Paradise Street.
3. The ban would only apply at such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by the placing of the appropriate traffic signs.
4. The Order would come into force on 2nd April 2025 for a maximum duration of 1 month (to allow for contingencies) or until the works have been completed, whichever is the sooner. In practice, it is anticipated that the Order would have effect on 2nd April 2025 between the hours of 8. am and 5. pm but if the works cannot be carried out or completed during that time then the Order may also have effect on subsequent days within the maximum period of 1 month.
Dated 21st March 2025 Ben Stevens Highway Network Manager
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, to enable SGN gas main connection works to be carried out, the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth intend to make an Order the effect of which would be to temporarily ban vehicles from:(a) entering that length of Angles Road which lies between No. 51 Angles Road and No. 46 Angles Road; (b) waiting (including waiting for the purpose of loading and unloading a vehicle) in that length of Angles Road which lies:(i) on the east side, between No. 51 Angles Road and 12 metres south of the common boundary of No. 53 Angles Road and the electricity substation; (ii) on the west side, between No. 51 Angles Road and No. 46 Angles Road.
2. Alternative routes for affected vehicles would be available via Leithcote Gardens, Angles Road (the south-east to north-west arm), Farm Avenue and Sunnyhill Road and vice versa.
3. The bans would only apply at such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by the placing of the appropriate traffic signs.
4. The Order would come into force on 31st March 2025, and it would continue for a maximum duration of 1 month (to allow for contingences) or until the works have been completed whichever is the sooner. In practice it is anticipated that the Order would only have effect between 31st March and 4th April 2025, but if the works cannot be carried out or completed during that time, then the Order may have effect at other times within the maximum duration of 1 month
Dated 21st March 2025 Ben Stevens Highways Network Manager LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH ROAD TRAFFIC
Transport for London Public Notice
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984
THE GLA ROAD (LEWISHAM) (BUS PRIORITY)
A21 GLA ROAD (BROMLEY ROAD) VARIATION ORDER 2025
ORDER
1. Transport for London hereby gives notice that on 14th March 2025 it made the above named Orders, under section 6 of the Road Trafc Regulation Act 1984. The Order will come into force on 24th March 2025
2. The road which would be affected by the Order is the A21 GLA Road Bromley Road in the London Borough of Lewisham.
3. The general nature and effects of the Order will be to:
(1) Introduce a new south-eastbound bus lane on the A21 Bromley Road between No.373 and adjacent to No.429 Bromley Road, operating MonSun At Any Time permitting buses, dial a ride buses, taxis, motorcycles and pedal cycles;
(2) Extend the existing south-eastbound bus lane on the A21 Bromley Road between its junction with Watermead Road and Nos 1-6.Falkland House, Bromley Road by 351 metres at its north-western end, operating Mon-Sun At Any Time permitting buses, dial a ride buses, taxis, motorcycles and pedal cycles;
(3) Introduce a new north-westbound bus lane on the A21 Bromley Road between its junction with Watermead Road and opposite No.257 Bromley Road, operating Mon-Sun At Any Time permitting buses, dial a ride buses, taxis, motorcycles and pedal cycles.
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/2025/0078: •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 21st day of March 2025
Matthew Standell Planning and Performance Manager Transport for London, Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984
THE A2 GLA ROAD (BLACKHEATH ROAD, ROYAL BOROUGH OF GREENWICH) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF 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 new water connection works to take place at A2 Blackheath Road.
3. The effect of the Order will be to prohibit any vehicle from stopping on Blackheath Road between its junctions with Crosslet Vale and Egerton Drive.
The Order will be effective at certain times from 8.00 AM on the 24th March 2025 until 5.00 PM on the 26th March 2025 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 21st day of March 2025
Claire Wright
Co-Ordination Manager Transport for London Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ
LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH
Notice Under The Town and Country Planning Acts
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Council is considering applications as set out below under the following categories;
ADV = ADVERTISEMENT CONSENT
FUL = FULL PLANNING PERMISSION
LB = LISTED BUILDING CONSENT
Written representations should be made within three weeks of the date of this advertisement to the Director of Planning, PO Box 734, Winchester SO23 5DG. Any comments made are open to inspection by the public and in the event of an appeal may be referred to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. Confidential comments cannot be taken into account in determining an application.
Application plans can be viewed online at www.lambeth.gov.uk/searchplanningapps – search using the reference number at the end of each application listing.
39 Courtenay Street London SE11 5PH Replacement of all existing single-glazed
windows. 25/00556/FUL
48 Courtenay Street London SE11 5PQ Replacement of existing single-glazed timber windows with double-glazed
windows to match the existing. 25/00632/FUL
99 Old South Lambeth Road London SW8 1XU Replacement of existing double glazed aluminium with
and
(Please note: The reference number for this Listed Building Consent application is 25/00814/LB, but there is also an associated application for Full Planning Permission related to these works with reference number: 25/00099/FUL) 25/00814/LB
25 Montford Place London SE11 5DE Erection of a single storey
other associated works.
(Please note: The reference number for this Listed Building Consent application is 25/00575/LB, but there is also an associated application for Full Planning Permission related to these works with reference number: 25/00574/FUL) 25/00575/LB
16 Courtenay Street London SE11 5PQ Replacement of all existing windows with double glazed timber/casement windows. 25/00642/FUL 18 Courtenay Street London SE11 5PQ Replacement of all existing windows with double glazed timber/casement windows. 25/00643/FUL
7 Mawbey Street London SW8 2TT Phased redevelopment and change of use from Public
including
25/00001/FUL The Lodge 22 Leigham Court Road London SW16 2PL Installation of a replacement insulated roof covering to the
overall ridge heights, together with the installation of like-for-like replacement soffits, fascia and guttering.
(Please note: The reference number for this Listed Building Consent application is 25/00521/LB, but there is
related to these works with reference number: 25/00520/FUL) 25/00521/LB
40 Courtenay Street London SE11 5PQ Replacement of all existing single-glazed timber windows with slimline heritage timber sash windows and heritage style casement windows. 25/00557/FUL
42 Courtenay Street London SE11 5PQ Replacement of existing single-glazed timber windows and replace them with slimline heritage timber sash windows and heritage style casement windows. 25/00558/FUL
Clapham Congregational Church 55 Grafton Square London Lambeth SW4 0DE Erection of a ground floor side/rear extension, a first floor side/rear extension, an extension to the roof, together with the replacement of existing single glazed windows with double glazed ones to match existing; replacement of roof; and other associated works of refurbishment. (partially retrospective).
(Reconsultation due to amended plans and supporting documents) 23/02872/FUL
17 Courtenay Street London Lambeth SE11 5PH Replacement of the timber sliding sash and casement windows with double-glazed slimline heritage-timber windows. 25/00636/FUL
14 Courtenay Street London Lambeth SE11 5PQ Replacement of the timber sliding sash and casement windows with double-glazed slimline heritage-timber windows. 25/00641/FUL
Queen Elizabeth Hall And Purcell Room South Bank London SE1 8XX Temporary pop-up bar for 12 months, located on the land in front of Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room, with ancillary storage in a section of the existing plant/storage room at The Queen Elizabeth Hall. 25/00658/FUL
Royal National Theatre South Bank London SE1 9PX Temporary erection for a period from 24th March 2025 to 29th September 2025 for the erection (including installation and de-installation) of a series of branded hoardings and signage in conjunction with the spring / summer event at the Royal National Theatre, London. 25/00785/ADV
Royal National Theatre South Bank London SE1 9PX Temporary installation for a period from 24th March 2025 to 29th September 2025 for the erection (including installation and de-installation) of a series of tables and seating, food and drink kiosks, a digital exterior screen, an ice cream trike, trader vehicles, branded hoarding, festoon lighting, back of house food and drink storage area, additional cycle parking and planters at an area extending the forecourts that front the Royal National Theatre and Queen's Walk, and area of the Royal National Theatre first floor Terrace and an area along Theatre Avenue in conjunction with the spring / summer event at the Royal National Theatre, London 25/00784/FUL
Royal National Theatre South Bank London SE1 9PX Display of 3x internally illuminated signs to the ground floor espresso bar at the Royal National Theatre. 25/00770/ADV
13 Cardigan Street London Lambeth SE11 5PE Removal of partition wall, reopen blocked fireplaces and replacement of bathroom and kitchen.
(Please note: The reference number for this Listed Building Consent application is 25/00325/LB but there is also an
to these works with reference number: 25/00324/FUL) 25/00325/LB
application for
Permission
Advertising Right Outside 216 Kennington Road London Application for Advertisement Consent for internally illuminated Free-Standing Advertising Council Information Panel (FSU CIP) featuring back-to-back digital displays (1635mm H x 924mm W) to replace existing FSU CIP
25/00504/ADV Royal National Theatre South Bank London SE1 9PX Application for Listed Building Consent for the display of 3x internally illuminated signs to the ground
Notice of application for a Premises Licence.
Notice is hereby given that Arseido Kronaj has applied to Richmond Council for a new premises licence at 12A Eton Street Richmond TW9 1EE for Sale of alcohol by retail Sunday 13.00-23.00, Monday to Thursday 16.00-23.00, Friday & Saturday 13.00-00.00. Recorded music Sunday to Thursday 23.00-23.30, Friday & Saturday 23.00-00.30
Any person who wishes to make a representation in relation to this application must give notice in writing by 15 April 2025 stating the grounds for making said representation to: Richmond 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 Richmond 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.richmond.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
No. 261 Shakespeare Road; Silverthorne Road, the north-east side, at the rear of No. 14 Moresby Walk; St Agnes Place, the east side, opposite No. 64 St Agnes Place; St Agnes Place, the north-west side, opposite Nos. 39 and 41 St Agnes Place; St Gothard Road, the south-west side, opposite Nos. 105b and 105 c St Gothard Road; Station Approach, the north-west side, outside Nos. 1 to 15 Pankhurst House; Stannary Street, the north-west side, opposite No. 2 Stannery Street; Sternhold Avenue, the north-east side, opposite No. 107 Sternhold Avenue; Stockwell Park Road, the north-east side, opposite Nos. 7 and 8 Norton House; Sunnyhill Road, the south-west side, outside No. 10a Sunnyhill Road; Sunnyhill Road, the north-east side, outside
137 Sunnyhill Road; Solon Road, the
side, adjacent to No. 65 Sandmere Road; Telford Avenue, the south-west side, opposite Nos. 117 and 119 Telford Avenue; The Chase, the south-west
side, outside Nos. 1 to 40 Trinity Close; Thurlby Road, the south-west side, adjacent to No. 105 St Julian’s Farm Road; Tierney Road, the north-east
Place, the north-west side, outside Nos. 8 to 15 Triangle Place; Trinity Gardens, the north-east side, adjacent to No. 34 Acre Lane; Tritton Road, the north side, opposite No. 4 Tritton Road; Union Road, the north side, outside Nos. 74, 76 and 78 Union Road; Upper Ground, the south-east side, outside Doon Street Car Park 97 Doon Street; Upper Tulse Hill, the north-east side, opposite the rear of Nos. 10 to 15 Huggins Place; Upper Tulse Hill, the south-east side, opposite No.
east of the south-eastern kerb-line of Brixton Hill; Valleyfield Road, the north-east side, adjacent to No. 207 Valley Road; Valleyfield Road, the south side,
side, opposite the side of No. 38 Knatchbull Road; Cornwall Road, the north-east side, outside Ethelm House; Cornwall Road, the north-east
, the south-west side, opposite No. 43 Dorset Road; Kennington
Lansdowne Way; Larkhall Lane, the south-east side, opposite Nos. 96 and 98 Larkhall Lane; Meadow Road, the north side, opposite No. 11 Meadow Road; Millbrook Road, the south side, adjacent to
Newburn
, the
side, outside No. 2b Newburn Street; Northlands Street, the north-east side, adjacent to No. 135b Coldharbour Lane; Padfield Road, the north-east side, adjacent to No. 199a Coldharbour Lane; Pope’s Road, the west side, adjacent Brixton Recreation Centre; Pratt Walk, the north-west side, opposite Nos. 5 and 6 Pratt Walk; Southville, the north-east side, outside Nos. 1 to 7 Southville; Stockwell Park Road, the north-east side, opposite No. 42 Stockwell Park Road; The Cut, the north-west side, outside Nos. 40 to 42 The Cut; Tradescant Road, the north side, outside Nos. 50 and 52 Tradescant Road; Tyers Street, the east side, outside Nos. 1 to 26 Deacon House; Vassall Road, the south-east side, opposite its junction with Mandela Street; Vassall Road, the north-west side, outside No. 145 Vassall Road; Vauxhall Street, the north-east side, opposite the southern kerb-line of Tyers Terrace; Wilcox Road, the south side, outside No. 14 Wilcox Road; Wootton Street, the north-west side, opposite Nos. 1 to 24 Ospringe House; (c) introduce no waiting at any time restrictions (double yellow lines) in):- Carnac Street, the south side, opposite Nos. 19 and 21 Carnac Street; Irving
Canterbury Grove; (d) in the locations specified in Sections 2a and 2b to this Notice, to remove or reduce in length existing parking spaces to accommodate the micromobility parking places.
3. The Orders are intended to facilitate the riding of electric scooters in the manner established by Government Regulations and are necessary to prevent dockless cycles and e-scooters from being parked on the footway and other locations which can cause accessibility issues.
4. If you have any enquiries or require any further information on the e-scooter trial, please send them by email to e-scootertrial@lambeth.gov.uk
5. A copy of the Orders and other documents giving detailed particulars about them (including maps) are available for inspection online at: www.lambeth.gov.uk/traffic-management-orders and at the offices of Lambeth Council’s Parking and Enforcement Group (Resident’s Services), 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). A copy of the Orders and the other documents are also available on request, by email to: Trafficorders@lambeth.gov.uk to arrange an inspection.
6. If any person wishes to question the validity of the Orders or of any of their provisions on the grounds that they are not within the powers conferred by the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, or that any requirement of that Act or of any instrument made under that Act has not been complied with, that person may, within 6 weeks from the date on which the Orders are made, apply for the purpose to the High Court. Dated 21 March 2025 Ben Stevens Highways Network Manager
LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH THE LAMBETH (FREE PARKING PLACES, LOADING PLACES, AND WAITING, LOADING AND STOPPING RESTRICTIONS) (AMENDMENT No. 62) ORDER 2025
CONIFER GARDENS, CULVERHOUSE GARDENS, GLENELDON ROAD, LEIGHAM AVENUE and VALLEY ROAD,
[NOTE: This Notice is about making permanent and continue in force indefinitely the “At Any Time” Waiting Restrictions (double yellow lines) that were introduced under an experimental order in the Streatham Wells Area.]
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth on 18 March 2025 made the above-mentioned Order under section 6 and 129 of and Part IV of Schedule 9 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and all other enabling powers so as to continue in force indefinitely the provisions of The Lambeth (Free Parking Places, Loading Places, and Waiting, Loading and Stopping Restrictions) (No. 22) Experimental Traffic Order 2023.
2. The general effect of the Order will be further to amend the Lambeth (Free Parking Places, Loading Places and Waiting, Loading and Stopping Restrictions) Order 2023 to continue the current no waiting at any time restrictions in:
(a) Conifer Gardens on the west side to extend the existing no waiting at any time restrictions southward by 10 metres; (b) Culverhouse Gardens on the east and west sides to extend the existing no waiting at any time waiting restrictions southwards to a point 4.5 metres south of the northern boundary of No. 1 Culverhouse Gardens; (c) Gleneldon Road on the north and south sides from a point 2 metres north-west of the common boundary of Nos. 119 and 121 Gleneldon Road to a point 5.4 metres south-east of the eastern boundary of No. 113 Gleneldon Road; (d) Valley Road on the east and west sides to extend the existing no waiting at any time waiting restrictions southwards to a point 2.8 metres south of the common boundary of Nos. 1 and 3 Valley Road; (e) Valley Road on the east and west sides to extend the existing no waiting at any time restrictions between Gleneldon Road and Wellfield Road.
3. The restrictions referred to in this notice will not apply in respect of anything done at the direction of a police constable in uniform or with the permission of a civil enforcement officer or other person authorised by the Council or in certain circumstances, such as the picking up or setting down of passengers, or the carrying out of statutory powers or duties. The usual exemption relating to vehicles lawfully displaying a disabled person’s “Blue Badge” will apply.
4. A copy of the Orders, which will come into operation on 31 March 2025, and of other documents giving detailed particulars about the Orders are available for inspection online at: www.lambeth.gov.uk/traffic-management-orders and at the offices of Lambeth Council’s Parking and Enforcement Group (Resident Services), 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 last day of a period of six weeks beginning with the date on which the Orders are made. To arrange an inspection or request paper or digital copies of the documents please email: Trafficorders@lambeth.gov.uk.
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 thereof or of any relevant regulations made thereunder has not been complied with in relation to the Orders may, within 6 weeks of the date on which the Orders were made, make application for that purpose to the High Court.
Dated 21 March 2025 Ben Stevens Highway Network Manager LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14 TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE – ALASKA STREET
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, to enable bridge inspection works to a railway bridge to be carried out safely, the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth have made an Order the effect of which will be to temporarily ban vehicles and pedestrians from entering that length of Alaska Street which lies between Waterloo Road and a point 37 metres south-west of Cornwall Road.
2. Alternative routes for vehicles and pedestrians affected by the closure will be available via Waterloo Road, Exton Street and Cornwall Road and vice versa.
3. The ban will only apply at such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by the placing of the appropriate traffic signs.
4. The Order will come into force on 26th March 2025 and will continue for a maximum duration of 1 month (to allow for contingencies) or until the works have been completed whichever is the sooner. In practice, it is anticipated that the order will only have effect on the 26th and 27th of March 2025, between 10 pm and 6 am but if the works cannot be carried out or completed during that time, the Order may have effect on subsequent dates within the maximum period of 1 month.
Dated 21st March 2025 Ben Stevens Highway Network Manager
LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 – SECTION 14 TEMPORARY TRAFFIC AND PARKING RESTRICTIONS LILFORD ROAD
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, to enable carriageway and footway works to be carried out in Lilford Road, the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth have made an Order the effect of which will be to temporarily ban:-
(a) pedestrians from entering that length of the northern footway of Lilford Road which lies between a point opposite No. 74 Lilford Road and a point 37 metres west of Carew Street (alternative routes for pedestrians will be available on the opposite footway, the south side of Lilford Road); (b) vehicles entering that length of the Lilford road which lies between No. 100 Lilford Road and Paulett Road (alternative routes for affected vehicles will be available via Coldharbour Lane and Loughborough Road and vice versa); (c) waiting (including waiting for the purpose of loading or unloading a vehicle) in that length of Lilford Road, both sides, which lies between No. 100 Lilford Road and Paulett Road.
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. The Order will come into force on 31st March 2025 and will continue for a maximum duration of 6 months (to allow for contingencies) or until the works have been completed whichever is the sooner.
Dated 21st March 2025
Ben Stevens Highways Network Manager To place
please
LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH
PROPOSED INCREASE IN MINIMUM PAID PARKING PERIOD AND INTRODUCTION OF 10% PEAK HOUR SURCHARGE IN ON-STREET PARKING PLACES, AND OFF-STREET CAR PARKS
[NOTE: This Notice is about introducing a minimum paid for parking duration of 15 minutes, charges would apply for each additional minute of parking after the minimum period, and introducing a 10% surcharge for vehicles parking between 10am and 1pm on days when parking enforcement is in operation in the on-street Pay by Phone and PayPoint parking places and in the Council’s Car Parks in the London Borough of Lambeth. Objections or other comments may be made – see paragraph 7).
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Council of the London Borough of Lambeth (“the Council”) proposes to make the Lambeth (Charged-For Parking Places) (Amendment No. **) Order 202*, the Lambeth (Off-Street Parking Places) (Leigham Court Road and Waylett Place Car Parks) (Amendment No. **) Order 202* and the Lambeth (Pope’s Road Car Park) (Off-Street Parking Place) (Amendment No. **) Order under sections 35C and 46A of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.
2. The general effect of the Orders would be to: (a) amend the minimum parking charge for the use of the on-street parking places and off-street car parks by the Pay by Phone or PayPoint methods to be increased from 1 minute to 15 minutes; and, (b) introduce a 10% surcharge for peak-hour parking between 10am and 1pm for the use of the on-street parking places and off-street car parks by the Pay by Phone or PayPoint methods.
3. The current and proposed new minimum and peak-hour charges for the use of on-street parking places are as follows:
G
H
5. If you have any enquiries about this matter, please contact the Council on: parkingfeesreview@lambeth.gov.uk
6. 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.
7. 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 R132), and can be made using our consultation portals at https://haveyoursay.lambeth.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/parking-fees-and-charges-cashless and https://streets.appyway.com/lambeth or sent by post to the Traffic Order Team at Lambeth Council Parking and Enforcement Group (Parking, Network Management & Fleet), PO Box 80771, London SW2 9QQ or by email: TMOReps@lambeth.gov.uk by 11 April 2025. Any objection may be communicated to, or be seen by, other persons who may have an interest in this matter.
Dated 21 March 2025 Ben Stevens Highway Network Manager
Gifts from Godden help the Addicks to maintain their charge
By John Kelly
CHARLTON ATHLETIC boss
Nathan Jones felt his side should have been “out of sight” instead of defending a onegoal lead before the Addicks beat Wigan Athletic 2-1 at The Valley to further strengthen their play-off claims and stay in the hunt for automatic promotion from League One.
Matty Godden scored two firsthalf goals before Chris Sze pulled one back for the visitors with six minutes left.
Tyreece Campbell and Godden were both denied early in the second half and Charlton left their fans in for a nervy finish before securing their seventh consecutive home won.
Charlton are six points clear of seventh-place Bolton Wanderers and five behind Wrexham in second with nine games left.
“It was tighter than it should have been,” Jones said. “I thought we were dominant for the majority of the game. They started quite well, they had probably two opportunities in the game, one they score from and one they put past the post but apart from that I thought we were excellent and controlled the game. We had enough chances and should have been out of sight just after half time – it was a glorious opportunity.
“Then we got a bit lethargic, they broke on us. We were out of sync, we weren’t professional – that was the only way they were going to score I thought on a counter-attack.
“We’ve had to see it out, which we’ve done, it would have been a travesty if we’d drawn that game.”
Godden has now scored fifteen goals in all competitions this season.
Jones said: “Same as he’s been all season – outstanding. We’ve rested him for two games where we’ve brought in big Miles [Leaburn]. Miles has taken the hit on two tough away games and then we brought Matty back because we know what he gives us.
“I’m delighted for him. It’s a shame he couldn’t have got a hattrick – I’d have brought him straight off if he had. He was superb. That’s what we brought Matty Godden here for, games like that - he’s been outstanding all season.”
BLUNT BLUES MISS ATTACKING TRIO
Cole Palmer was a late withdrawal before Arsenal clash
By Paul Green at the Emirates
ENZO MARESCA admitted losing Cole Palmer through a muscle injury ahead of Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Arsenal was a big blow.
Palmer is Chelsea’s leading scorer with fourteen goals to his name already this season and the Blues clearly struggled without him against the Gunners after the 22-year-old picked up a muscle injury on Saturday.
That looks set to keep him out of the England squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.
But it was on the pitch in north London where Palmer’s absence was felt the most as Chelsea came off second best to their rivals in the race for a Champions League spot.
Arsenal dominated the early exchanges and got their rewards in the 20th minute when Mikel Merino deftly headed home from Martin Odegaard’s corner.
Gabriel Martinelli blazed over as the hosts went in search of a second, while David Raya’s blushes were spared at the other end as Marc Cucurella’s attempt went through his hands on its way inches wide of the post.
Robert Sanchez produced a superb onehanded on the hour to somehow keep out Merino’s volley and the Blues goalkeeper was alert to deny Odegaard four minutes later.
But the Gunners comfortably held on for a deserved win to leave Maresca counting the cost of missing Palmer.
The SW6 boss said: “It is a huge difference. If you think that the three players with the most goals for us are Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke, not of them was on the pitch today.
“With two of them it is a very long time that they are out so at this moment offensively we can struggle a little bit even if I think until today we are the second- or
third-best attacking [team] in the league.
“That means that we are in any case doing well without those players but we could do better with the players at this moment who are out injured.” Chelsea are now without a Premier League win on the road since a 4-3 success at Spurs more than three months ago, a dip which put paid to those pre-Christmas hopes of a title challenge.
Maresca said: “We want to try to win more games away.
“In this moment we are winning games at home and we want to try to do the same away.
“At the beginning of the season we were winning games away and struggling in some games at home. Now it is on the other side.
“For sure we need to improve results away but overall I think we are [almost] there.”
Despite the setback, the Chelsea boss remains positive his side are still heading
in the right direction and suggested there wasn’t that much difference between the Blues and Arsenal.
He explained: “I think we struggled at the very beginning. For the first 20 minutes we struggled a bit and then after that we started to control the game, we started to create some chances.
“And then in the second half the game was 50-50 and probably the biggest difference has been set-pieces strategy.”
Maresca added: “In the first game against Arsenal (a 1-1 draw in November) and today’s game I don’t see a big difference between us and them.
“This means that for me since I arrived I have the feeling that we are on the right path and we are very close.
“We are just that step forward [away] to compete also in these kind of games but probably that step comes also from finishing in the top four, five Champions League spots where you also grow in that competition.”
Nouwen strikes on debut as Palace net first home win
By Georgie Garnett at the VBS Community Stadium
CRYSTAL PALACE beat Aston Villa 3-1 for first-ever Women’s Super League victory at home and and a first win for new manager Leif Smerud at the VBS Community Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Aniek Nouwen opened the scoring on her debut and Ashleigh Weerden added a second before Lucy Parker pulled one back for Villa.
Katie Stengel’s 95th-minute goal sealed the points and ended Palace’s twelvegame winless streak in the WSL.
A quiet opening ten minutes passed before Ebony Salmon had the first
attempt of the match, but Shae Yanez made the save.
The first half hour was dominated by the visitors, who were creating numerous chances but not converting them.
Lily Woodham had Palace’s first real attempt 32 minutes in but Villa goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo saved.
D’Angelo was forced into action again moments later to stop Stengel’s shot finding the bottom-left corner.
However, less than a minute later, the South London faithful in the 1,130 attendance were rewarded as Nouwen headed home.
The goal was Palace’s first in three games and gave the side the lead in a WSL match for the first time since their 5-2
loss to West Ham in December.
Clarissa Larisey had two attempts within the final five minutes of the first half but was unable to add to the lead.
The Eagles came out firing early in the second half as Weerden and Larisey were denied.
Eagles top-scorer Weerden doubled the lead in the 53rd minute with a shot inside the left post from the edge of the box, her sixth goal of the season.
Rachel Daly and Salmon had chances for the visitors before Villa substitutes
Jordan Nobbs and Missy Kearns also went close, but the Palace defence held firm.
Villa finally got their goal when Parker capitalised on Palace's failure to clear a
corner in the 85th minute.
However, the hosts were able to hold off the visitors and deny them any chance of getting back into the match for the remaining minutes.
And in the final moments of the game, Stengel capitalised when D’Angelo lost possession to leave an open goal.
The victory marked only Palace’s second of the WSL season after their promotion from the Championship last May. It takes the team to nine points after sixteen games, just one point behind second-last Villa in the battle for WSL survival, with only one team going down. Palace return to action this Saturday when they travel to Everton for a 2pm kick-off.
KYLE SMITH used to watch Cristiano Ronaldo launch free kicks into the top corner of the net on TV, and now the Millwall under-21s full-back is emulating the Portuguese superstar for his childhood club.
Smith’s latest strike against Watford on March 11 was a thing of beauty. Coming in his first start after a three month injury lay-off, the full-back curled it over the wall and well past the outstretched arms of the despairing Watford under-21s goalkeeper.
The 20-year-old is a precocious talent who has remained a constant at the club while other academy players moved on or did not make the cut, and is now knocking on the door of the first team after making four match-day squads.
Smith sat down with our paper to tell us more about his journey.
The Abbey Wood local was identified by scouts just before his ninth birthday, and had a host of London clubs queuing up to secure his services, including Arsenal, Tottenham and Brentford.
“[I was first spotted] at my Sunday league team called Teviot,” Smith said. “I think I was just at a tournament.
“Then after my mum said I’d been scouted by a couple teams and Millwall was one of them. But at the time I had no clue what scouted even meant. So I was none the wiser.
“Then I went into training the week after. It was initially meant to be a six week trial and I think I got signed in the third week, after a game.”
“I went to Millwall and it was really enjoyable. The people were really nice. It wasn’t too far from my house, so it was all perfect. It’s all worked out pretty well.”
Fortunately, Chelsea were not one of the clubs interested, with Smith admitting he grew up a Blues fan and he considers Reece James to be his idol.
Instead, Smith progressed through the age groups at Millwall’s academy - juggling school, football and being a normal teenager, and he had to give up a lot to achieve his dream.
“It was hard,” Smith. “You have to make a lot of sacrifices. A lot of the time when I was in school, my mates could go out and have fun.
“Even playing football at the park, my mum always used to tell me to be careful in case I got hurt, because people might try harder because I play football - I don’t want to be getting injured and putting myself in a position where I’m out. I couldn’t really go out as much.”
His hard work paid off. After the conclusion of the under-sixteens season, he faced a nerve-wracking wait to see if he would get a scholarship and he eventually got a letter through the post confirming he had been
‘I
December.
Smith has learned a lot each time.
HAVE A LOT TO GIVE’
Academy full-back Kyle
“It was a really good experience, because it was the first time I’ve been involved in the match-day squads,” Smith said. “It’s good to be around them and get a taste of what it’s like at a Championship level.
“Before games, seeing how they prep. Even watching the games from the bench is different to watching on TV or in the stands. You’re always learning, you’re taking in new bits of information, whether it’s through what you’re seeing or what you’re hearing within the changing room from everyone.
Smith sustained an injury in December that ruled him out for three months, and he made his return against Watford - where he scored that free kick.
Smith on his journey so far - learning in National League, Joe Bryan as a mentor and perfecting free kicks
selected.
“We knew it was coming,” Smith said. “I was at school the whole day and I couldn’t concentrate, I had a bit of a bellyache as well throughout the day, I was just nervous.”
Moving from the under-16s to the under-18s was a serious step up, but Smith adjusted well.
“It was a lot different to what I was used to compared to under-sixteens,” Smith said. “I feel like with the coaches, with Larry and Chris and the team we had, it was such a close-knit group.
“The transition was not easy as such but it was a lot more smooth sailing than I expected and I was playing, so it was all good. I have no complaints. I think a lot of my happiest memories at Millwall are probably from scholarship.”
Smith continued to flourish, and was offered a professional deal in the summer of 2022 after he aged out of the under-18s - which he described as a “really proud moment” for him and his family.
After one season with the under-21s, he was sent out on loan to Wealdstone on September 15, 2023, winning man of the match on his debut and extending his initial 28-day loan until January 1, 2024. He then rejoined the
Sess stuns Spurs
ByJohn Kelly
MARCO SILVA said a top-half finish in the Premier League was the objective before the start of the season - after Ryan Sessegnon’s goal against his former club Tottenham Hotspur helped the Cottagers move to within four points of the Champions League places last weekend.
Sessegnon scored his first goal at Craven Cottage since Boxing Day 2018 in the 88th minute, ten minutes after Rodrigo Muniz had given the hosts the leaf.
Sessegnon joined Spurs in the £25million deal in 2019 but he only make 26 league appearances before returning to Fulham last summer.
Fulham have never finished higher than seventh in the Premier League. "We wanted to finish in the top half of the
table at the start of the season,” Silva said. “And of course if you are there you can go up. We're not going to try to compromise for anyone.
"I don't like ifs in football. I like to look to the present and the future. For us it's game by game, not the end of the season. The next one is the FA Cup and then another game at Craven Cottage. "Two days break now and after hard work for the players who will be with us."
It was Sessegnon’s second goal of the season.
He said: "It puts us right up there for the European spots, and it's nice to get a goal as well.
"I was told to bring energy on the left-hand side. I was told to keep it tight but at the same time keep that threat going forward too.
"As a team we have one eye [on the European places] and we're taking it game by game, we just need to keep going.
National League side on March 12, 2024 for a further month and a half.
In total, Smith made thirteen appearances for the Stones, scoring twice and assisting one goal - and more importantly gained invaluable experience.
“I started the season with the under-21s, I played the first five or six games,” Smith said “I think I went in like the middle of September, it was more just unexpected.
“I had a phone call and they said they were interested and they wanted to take me on the Thursday and I got a phone call on Wednesday and I was a bit like - again I was none the wiser.
“I didn’t know anything about National League so I sort of went into it blind. There was no pressure and I really enjoyed it.
“The whole men’s football experience, as a player it’s made me a lot better. In terms of competitiveness, that you’re playing for something, the physicality and all that. It was probably the best thing that happened for my career. I really enjoyed it there.
“When I first went, I was doing well but I was a bit more reserved. Then as the games kept going and going I felt like I grew into it more. More of my own footballing personality came out.”
Two years after signing his first professional deal, Smith was offered a new contract by Millwall in the summer of 2024, and was brought on pre-season tour to Spain by then Lions boss Neil Harris, where he trained daily with the first team, who he said made him feel comfortable and that the experience made him a better footballer.
When asked what players in particular helped with his development, Smith said: “A lot of them actually. Danny McNamara, Ryan Leonard and Joe [Bryan]. I play the same position as them. They’re really good to talk to.
“Even seeing them in training, how they train, it’s good to see them, especially Joe. When Joe came in, that was my first pre-season tour with the first team.
“I was talking to Joe a lot and obviously he’s had a very good career with promotions, and he’s one that guides me. He is very helpful and nurturing.”
The plan was for Smith to go out on loan again ahead of the 2024-25 season, but nothing ended up coalescing.
Instead, he continued to train with the first team and was included in Millwall’s matchday squads for their first two matches of the season, before being named in two more in
“When I was younger I always used to like free kicks, watching them go in on TV, like Ronaldo,” Smith said. “But within the last year I’ve actually focused on practicing them and thinking I’m in a position that I can take them now. So I do try and practice but lately I haven’t.
“The funny thing is, we had the game on the Tuesday. The Monday I took a couple of practice free kicks and they were awful. They were so bad.
“Then I went into the game and then the free kick came up and I was thinking, alright yeah I’m going to score this and I’ve scored. Then after that a couple of the boys were laughing saying, your practices yesterday were rubbish and now you scored. It’s more muscle memory I think.”
Smith has come a long way since his first few games for the under-21s, and he credited his coaches Kevin Nugent and Paul Robinson for his improvement.
“It’s really good to have Robbo with us,” Smith said. “He’s a defender, he knows the club very well.
“When I first came up I was a bit more timid heading the ball. But I did a lot of work with Robbo over the last couple of years. That part of my game’s come on leaps and bounds. “Nugent, on the opposite side, [has helped me with] composure on the ball. Especially the last year or two, we’ve really been focusing on keeping the ball and playing out from the back. So that’s in my game now.
“I’m more of a well-rounded defender than what I used to be. I have a lot of different attributes to my game now, attacking and defensively.”
The hard work Smith has put in over the past twelve or so years has paid off so far, and he hopes a first-team debut is the next step in his promising career.
“I’ve come back from injury, so at the moment I want to stay fit and see where it takes me,” Smith said. “I have a lot to give and a lot to offer. So hopefully I can break into the first team at some point and show what I have to offer.”
Middle men seal deal for Dons
ByJohn Kelly
JOHNNIE JACKSON hailed goalscoring midfielders Callum Maycock and Alistair Smith after their goals in AFC Wimbledon’s 2-1 victory against Carlisle at Brunton Park last weekend.
Maycock scored in the second minute and Smith doubled their advantage just after the break.
Mark Hughes’s Blues pulled a goal back through Matthew Dennis but Jackson’s Dons held on to remain in the last automatic promotion spot with nine games left.
“We showed two sides to us,” Jackson said. “We played some really good football and dug in when we had to.
“We brought Callum back into the team for his legs and energy. For him to get into the box and goal scoring positions. He did that well, with a really good finish. It was a great start to the game for us, he also put in some great work out of possession. He’s an important player for us and we missed him while he was injured.
“That’s where we wanted Smudge arriving as a midfield player for the second - it was a great goal. It’s something we’ve been banging on about, tirelessly - midfielders arriving into the box and our strikers and midfielders creating the openings because we get a lot of balls into that area. We have done in the last few games, but they haven’t quite fallen.
Jackson added: “Josh Neufville has
been great, not just on this occasion but in previous games. He’s getting a lot of crosses into the box and looking dangerous in those areas. He gets the reward because someone was on the end of it and they haven’t always been previously. He needs to keep doing that, but he was excellent.”
Jackson explained the absences of wing-back James Tilley and striker Joe Pigott.
He said: “Tilley was feeling his thigh after training one day this week. He’ll probably be touch and go for next week. Similar sort of situation with Joe, who had a really tight hip after Tuesday’s match. Both were therefore unavailable.”
The Dons host Barrow on Saturday at 3pm.
Kyle Smith in training
Sport
INSIDE BLUNT BLUES MISS ATTACKING TRIO
Coops
not ruling out a play- off push as Millwall head into business end of the season within touching distance of the top six
By Will Scott
JAKE COOPER is not ruling out a play-off push as Millwall head into the final eight games of the season, but admits it will be tough given the Lions’ fixture list.
Millwall are just six points off sixth-placed West Bromwich Albion following their 1-0 win against Stoke City on Saturday, March 15, but have a number of tricky away trips awaiting them.
Their first fixture after the international break is against fourthplaced Sunderland at The Stadium of Light on March 29, and they then have to travel to play second-placed Sheffield United and ninth-placed Blackburn Rovers before ending the season at third-placed Burnley on May 3.
Cooper is keen to take it one game at a time.
“We know that in this league, if you get a little run together anything can happen,” Cooper said following Saturday’s win. “We also know we’ve got to go to Sunderland away when we come back and it’s going to be a tough game and we’ve got to do everything we can to pick up points.
“I think we’ve just got to not focus too much on the league and just try and build the confidence and build the way the manager wants us to play.
I’m certain that the results will follow that.”
Millwall will head into their tilt with the Black Cats having had some much-needed rest, and more importantly having had some time with Alex Neil on the training pitch.
Since being appointed Lions boss on December 30, Neil has had to contend with a hectic schedule that has given the Scotsman little time to work with his side in training - and the two weeks leading into their trip to the north-east will give him time to get his ideas across.
“It’s been a lot for us, with the cup run that we had, we’ve barely had any time really to work with Alex and for him to get his ideas across,” Cooper said. “It’s been short-fire messages with two, three days leading into a game.
“It’ll be nice now just to rest the body up, train a bit with the gaffer and, and get some new ideas from him and just get ready for that last five, six weeks of the season when we come back.”
‘ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN’
Freedman leaves Eagles in surprise move
By Will Scott
DOUGIE FREEDMAN has left his role as Crystal Palace sporting director - to make a surprise move to the Saudi Arabia second tier.
Freedman, 50, who helped bring a host of young talent including Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise, Adam Wharton and Romain Esse to Selhurst Park, is reportedly set to become the sporting director of Al-Diriyah.
Freedman had two spells as a player with Palace before managing them from January 2011 to October 2012 and returning again as sporting director in 2017.
The Eagles confirmed in a statement this week that Freedman had left “to take up a role overseas”.
Chairman Steve Parish added: “Dougie has been instrumental in everything we have done over the past eight years and indeed had a huge impact before that as manager and, of course, as a player.
“I have enjoyed working with him immensely and wish him every success for the future.
“Dougie leaves behind an excellent and well-structured sporting department that I’m sure will continue to go from strength to strength.”
Freedman said: "I would like to extend my thanks to Steve Parish, the other owners and to all the staff, managers and players who have been at the club during my time here. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed learning from and working alongside you all.
"It’s been an honour to represent the club and I am incredibly proud of the work that’s been done, with the chairman’s support, in growing the football club into its current position.
"To be leaving the club with a squad full of exciting talent led by an excellent manager, I truly believe the foundations are in place to be built upon.
“Finally, a huge thank you to all the fans for your continued support and passion - especially with how you’ve helped new signings and academy products settle into life at Selhurst Park by supporting and getting behind the team.
"Crystal Palace is and will always remain in my heart, and I will continue to look for results and follow the club’s progress closely.”
Jake Cooper has made 32 appearances in all competitions this season
