Roper Lane

The problem

Over the years the viaducts and spaces next to them have been neglected. The ageing paving and street furniture, regular fly tipping, illegal parking, dangerous traffic movements, poor drainage facilities and inadequate lighting created an unsafe environment for pedestrians and cyclists.

The opportunity

The closure of Roper Lane to through traffic before the congestion charging scheme created a cul de sac with very low traffic usage. This space provided the opportunity to transform the redundant highway into a new public space and encourage pedestrians to use the route through to the riverside.

 The objectives of the public square were to

• Make the local area more accessible and welcoming to all
• Celebrate the community, urban activity and green spaces
• Provide better pedestrian access to the River Thames and Tower Bridge
• Create interesting and inviting routes for pedestrians
• Improve environmental conditions and counteract environmental problems
• Invite people to stop, sit and enjoy the area
• Create a new landmark pocket park of which Southwark can be proud

The project

The scheme received funding from the Pool of London Partnership Regeneration Agency, Cross River Partnership, Sunlight Properties and Weston Williamson architects. 

With full planning permission and a road closure order, the first phase construction of the public square commenced on site in January 2005 and was completed in May 2006. The refurbishment of the railway arch by cleaning the bricks and installing a high specification lighting scheme was completed in early 2007.