Dramatic plans approved for London Bridge and surrounding area
Published 21 December 2011
Radical plans for a multi-million redevelopment of London Bridge station have been approved by Southwark Council.
The next few years will see a number of projects and partners working together to dramatically alter the area, known as the London Bridge Quarter, for the better, with an aim to maximise the benefits of regeneration for local residents and businesses.
The ten year programme of regeneration is being delivered in two phases, with Sellar Properties leading on the first (current) phase with the creation of 12,000 jobs in the Shard of Glass and The Place project.
Last night, Network Rail's multi-million pound plans for the London Bridge Interchange were given the green light at Southwark Council's planning committee, after careful consideration. Network Rail is preparing to commence a second phase to complete the Thameslink programme and deliver a 21st century interchange which will transform the gateway into Southwark, and London as a whole.
At the same time, Sellar's plans are well underway to deliver a new bus station, train station concourse, a plaza with public art and new connections to London Underground. A glass roof is under construction to transform the arrivals space and new ticket barriers have completed to improve the flow of passengers.
Partners in the regeneration aim to deliver a holistic regeneration with high quality physical projects including designed transport and public realm work, economic projects to ensure local residents can access jobs in the new developments, and social projects to ensure the best training is available in local facilities.
The Shard Southwark Vocational Programme is funded by Section106 money and was agreed by Southwark Council's planning committee in November 2010. To date £1.5m has been received and some excellent projects have commenced. Working with Southwark College , courses are designed to directly link to Shard jobs. Since opening in June 2011, the new £500,000 training facilities have provided residents with hands-on vocational training directly linked to jobs with future suppliers in the Shard.
The regeneration of St Thomas Street provides a front door for the south side of The Shard of Glass and connects the London Bridge Quarter to residential areas and adjacent health and education campuses.
To ensure the new quarter ties into the adjacent Bankside , Canada Water and Elephant and Castle regeneration areas, and the wider London walking network, a system of high quality signage is being installed. Southwark Council is leading on a comprehensive signage re-design across North Southwark which will be ready in time for the London 2012 Games.
Councillor Peter John, Leader of Southwark Council, said; "The transformation of the London Bridge Quarter is interlinked with the vision we have for the borough as a whole - unlocking Southwark's potential to create and build upon sustainable communities, to ensure a fairer future for all. New public transport hubs are hugely important in drawing people into what is a borough already becoming famous for large-scale regeneration projects. I'm delighted that further progress can begin now that the application has been approved."
The council carefully considered, and will continue to monitor, any local traffic impact from Network Rail's development. The council is supportive of the relocation of businesses and provision for Southwark Playhouse and the Britain at War museum. Particular consideration was also given to heritage issues around loss of the South Eastern Railways building and train shed but the council concluded that the huge positive impact of Network Rail's plans outweighed the need to retain the buildings.
Background
Please note that the decision is subject to a call-in from the GLA.
The London Bridge Quarter stretches from the end of Tooley Street along Borough High Street and includes the business districts of the Bermondsey streets behind, and also extends along Southwark Street .
The new London Bridge interchange is on target to complete by May 2012
The majority of the S106 funds will be paid upon occupation of the Shard in late 2012.
Find out more information on the co-ordination activity
You can read the planning application report here.
