Southwark

Elephant & Castle

Optical illusions at Elephant axed to protect neurodiverse people

The designs for hoardings around the Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre site have been updated to remove optical illusions after concerns were raised about the impact on "people with neurodiverse conditions".

Old Kent Road

Bakerloo line extension 'completely out of reach' - Sadiq

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has given his most pessimistic assessment yet of the prospects for a Bakerloo line extension beyond Elephant & Castle, declaring the scheme "completely out of reach".

Transport

Old Kent Road cycle lanes: Mayor non-committal on timescale

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan says that better facilities for cyclists on the Old Kent Road "remains a key objective" but has not put a timescale on the introduction of segregated cycle lanes.

Parks & green spaces

Day of the Dead: image of La Catrina presented to Crossbones

A La Catrina figure has been presented to Crossbones Graveyard by the Mexican ambassador.

Transport

Council drops Blackfriars Road area Low Traffic Neighbourhood

Plans to create a low traffic neighbourhood in the streets west of Blackfriars Road have been pared back by Southwark Council citing 'safety concerns'.

Bankside

Marion's Way: Gambia Street Garden named after Marion Marples

Gambia Street Garden has been given the name Marion's Way in memory of community activist Marion Marples.

Hotels

Green light for expansion of Bankside’s Hilton hotel

Plans to add an extra 76 rooms to the Hilton London Bankside hotel have been approved by Southwark councillors.

Churches

St George's Cathedral dean Richard Hearn has died

The death was announced on Friday of Canon Richard Hearn, dean of Southwark's Roman Catholic cathedral.

Food & drink

Gordon Ramsay burgers to replace One Tower Bridge vegan eatery

Gordon Ramsay is to open a branch of his Street Burger chain at One Tower Bridge, replacing the recently closed By Chloe vegan restaurant.

Greater London Authority

New GLA building won't be ready when Mayor and Assembly leave City Hall

The Greater London Authority's move from City Hall to the Crystal in East London has been postponed due to delays with refurbishment and security, the Local Democracy Reporting Service understands.

Transport

Elephant & Castle: tube station damaged by shopping centre demolition

The Northern line ticket hall at Elephant & Castle tube station is closed until further notice after demolition workers on the adjacent shopping centre site accidentally knocked through into the station.

Business

Sainsbury’s to open where locals petitioned for Waitrose or M&S

A new Sainsbury's Local is to open at Elephant & Castle in an empty unit where more than 300 people had signed a petition asking for a Waitrose or M&S store.