The Surrey Canal site is in great need of investment and regeneration and there are significant site issues including embankments, roads and railway lines which isolate the area.
We will overcome these issues through our innovative approach and high quality design. The fundamentals of the site reveal its huge potential. We believe that there are 10 themes which define the regeneration area:
Stations
The Surrey Canal site is well-connected with the existing South Bermondsey station and the new Surrey Canal Road station. The site is also in close-proximity to Surrey Quays and New Cross stations.
Sport
The area has a strong sporting heritage. Millwall football stadium is a local landmark and along with the Lions Centre provides a strong foundation upon which to build a community with healthy living at its heart.
Jobs
The site currently includes 4 industrial estates. While these units cover a large area, they provide just 300 jobs. We aim to create 2,000 jobs.
Under-investment
A lack of capital investment has resulted in a challenging local environment. Some parts of the site are extremely run-down and are seen as ‘no-go areas’ by those living nearby.
Paths
There are a number of paths which pass under the arches and connect the site. We are looking at how these can be upgraded and made more appealing to pedestrians and cyclists. We will also be looking at the possibility of introducing new routes.
Views
Once you get above the embankments and railway lines, the views from this site are spectacular and it is possible to see the majestic skylines of both the City and Canary Wharf. Our approach to developing this site is to introduce community, sports and employment uses at the lower levels of buildings with homes above.
Railway arches
The majority of access points into the Surrey Canal area are through arches under railway bridges. Some archways currently feel unsafe and are intimidating for pedestrians to navigate. A key aim of the regeneration will be to make these connections more attractive and increase their use.
The embankments
The embankments to the north, west and south of the site provide interesting features which add character to the area but also isolate it.
Canal
There is the possibility to recognise the role that the Surrey Canal played in the area’s history by introducing a water or artistic feature as part of the regeneration which would follow the original route of the canal when it was build in 1809.
Bridgehouse Meadows
Bridgehouse Meadows is a significant area of open space in the immediate vicinity of the site. The regeneration presents an opportunity to upgrade it into a Community Park and improve connections from the site to parks in the area such as Deptford Park to the west and Southwark Park to the north.
The benefit of Renewal consulting Sport England at such an early stage is that we’ve been able to work with the local community and sports bodies to identify the right mix of sporting uses for the Surrey Canal Triangle. This means that more people will get something out of this development – from grassroots participants to elite athletes.
Charles Johnston, Property Director at Sport England
