Lambeth and Southwark politics news

Greater London Authority

Bulk of GLA staff to remain in SE1 even if City Hall heads east

Despite the high-profile proposal for London's city government to leave its current riverside HQ in favour of a new City Hall in the Royal Docks, the Greater London Authority will still have more staff based in SE1 than E16 if the move goes ahead.

Transport

Bermondsey Street to be closed to through motor traffic

An experimental closure of part of Bermondsey Street is to be introduced this summer as part of Southwark Council's package of measures to improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists during the COVID-19 crisis.

History

Jeremy Corbyn on South Bank for Spanish Civil War commemoration

Former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn visited Jubilee Gardens on the South Bank on Saturday to lay a wreath at the memorial to the Brits who fought against fascism during the Spanish Civil War.

Planning & Development

St Thomas Street: 20-storey scheme at Vinegar Yard turned down

Proposals for a 20-storey building on St Thomas Street - opposite London Bridge Station - have been rejected by Southwark councillors due to their "excessive height, scale and massing".

Planning & Development

The changing face of St Thomas Street - interactive map

With councillors due to decide on two major planning applications for developments on St Thomas Street on Monday evening, we look at the five big schemes currently in the works.

Transport

TfL’s Southwark Street development gets the green light

Plans to build new offices, shops and flats on land in Southwark Street owned by Transport for London have been approved by Southwark councillors.

Lambeth

Lambeth to audit public art for slavery links

Lambeth Council is looking into all statues and works of art in the borough to identify any links to "slavery, colonialism and oppression of black communities" and will launch a community consultation.

Planning & Development

Harper Road’s Rising Sun pub facing demolition

Harper Road could lose the last of its pubs under plans submitted to Southwark Council for a six-storey block of flats on the site of the Rising Sun pub.

Politics & local government

Waterloo named as engine idling hotspot as Lambeth imposes fines

Drivers in Lambeth who leave their engine running while stationary will face a £20 fine in new measures to improve air quality.

Education

Southwark facing legal challenge over COVID-19 home-schooling

Southwark's leader has hit back after the founder of the Good Law Project said it would sue the council over its provision for schoolchildren to study at home during the COVID-19 shutdown.

Transport

Bakerloo line extension in jeopardy due to COVID-19 crisis

Southwark Council leader Peter John has warned that big infrastructure projects like the Bakerloo line extension via the Old Kent Road could be in jeopardy as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

Health

"We can come out of this more united" - Mayor of London

Human rights and civil liberties will have to be "changed, curtailed and infringed" to prevent further deaths from coronavirus (COVID-19), the Mayor of London has said.