Getting around

Getting around the Canada Water area can be a problem at times.

While it benefits from having easy, cross-Thames connection, traffic flow through the Rotherhithe Tunnel places extra pressure on the existing road network.

Lower Road becomes very congested during peak hours. And the traffic gyratory around Lower Road, Bush Road, Rotherhithe Old Road and Rotherhithe New Road is complicated, creating a poor environment for the residents who live around it.

While Canada Water offers excellent public transport connections to the rest of London, cars and car parking currently dominate much of the central area.

Starting point

For some time, Southwark Council has been aware of the need to improve traffic flow in the Canada Water area.

In 2006, the council commissioned a Multi-Modal Transport study, which included the construction of a computer model to help it better understand how transportation around the Rotherhithe Peninsula operates at peak times. Using this 'baseline' model, it becomes possible to understand the impact of new developments or transport improvement measures.

The computer model has been used to describe traffic patterns in 2012 and 2021, and the likely impact any different measures - such as extra buses - would have on traffic flow.

Gathering pace

While the council continues to work in partnership with Transport for London and the London Borough of Lewisham to identify the best options for both current and future scenarios, there are two very positive pieces of news that residents and commuters will welcome.

The Jubilee Line upgrade will be completed shortly. Additionally, the second phase of the East London line - offering up to 12 trains per hour running between West Croydon and Dalston - is expected to be complete next year.

In May this year, the further extension of the East London line to Clapham Junction was announced. It will provide 16 trains per hour through the Rotherhithe area and is due to be completed in May 2012.

In the coming years Canada Water will benefit from a more efficient transport infrastructure, with the wider area being made more accessible by foot, bicycle and public transport. Such measures will help to encourage people to consider using healthier, more environmentally-friendly modes of transport - which is good news for everyone.

For further details about our multi-modal transport study, and the very latest information about the Canada Water regeneration programme, please visit the Canada Water website.