Copyright
©
URBAN TRACK
2010
URBAN TRACK
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PREPARED BY:
CLIENT:
WITH THE KIND SUPPORT 1
URBAN TRACK CONTENTS 1. SCOPE 1.1 Project background 1.2 Summary of brief 2. CONTEXT 2.1 Townscape 2.2 Planning Policy 3. CONSULTATION 3.1 Vision 3.2 Detailed responses 4. URBAN STRATIGIES Overview 4.1 Overview of proposed strategies 4.2 Links using Retail Strategy 4.3 Links using Public Realm 4.4 Links by Circulation routes 4.5 Leisure Events - Anchors & Canvases 4.6 Lungs 4.7 Lights 5. PRIORITY INTERVENTIONS 5.1 Overview of Interventions 5.2 Tooley Street 5.3 Bermondsey Street 5.4 Bermondsey Street Tunnel 5.5 Holyrood Street 5.6 Crucifix Lane 5.7 Linking St John’s Street with Druid Street 5.8 Linking St Thomas Street and Crucifix Lane 5.9 Snowfields Road 5.10 Leisure Event Strategy 6. METHODOLOGY 6.1 Summary & Moving Forward 6.2 Time scale 7. Acknowledgements
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URBAN TRACK
1. SCOPE
LINKS
LUNGS
LIGHTS
LEISURE EVENTS EVENTS
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1. SCOPE
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1.1 Project Background
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UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER
ARCOLLABORATIVE
TEAM LONDON BRIDGE
The University of Westminster’s Build Up project is a programme aimed at London’s built environment and related professionals who are unemployed or are significantly underemployed in their chosen field.
This project has been developed by a number of professionals who have come together from a diverse cultural and professional experience background.
In November 2005, rate-paying organisations based in the London Bridge – Tower Bridge area voted to create a Business Improvement District and pay annual contributions towards a fund used for services, projects and events that benefit businesses and employees located in the London Bridge area.
This breadth and depth of experience within the group has resulted in a creative, vibrant project that encompasses the group’s professional acumen, knowledge and experience working within the built up environment and regeneration issues.
Business-led & fully independent, Team London Bridge has been set up to manage the area and look after this fund.
1. SCOPE
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1.1 Summary of Brief A Tale of two cities The Victorian viaduct forms an insurmountable barrier right in the heart of the London Bridge area. It divides the area in two, like a medieval wall separating the wealth of the city from those from the historic and bohemian Bermondsey Street area. Legibility is poor, which may explain why the viaduct is as much a physical barrier as it is a physiological one. While Southwark Council has completed some excellent work on cleaning and lighting the tunnels under London Bridge this is just a start. Feedback from local workers, residents and especially visitors is that people do not venture south through the tunnels due a continued poor and intimidating environment, a fear of crime, poor signage and a lack of people and businesses. This hinders the knitting together of the world class river front with the historic and bohemian Bermondsey Street neighbourhood. The project has focused on design proposals to improve the areas in and around the system of arches that run from Tower Bridge Road through to St. Thomas Street. Project aims: • Business & stakeholder consultation. • Identifying public realm improvements. • Improve north-south pedestrian links. • Identify areas which had potential for possible future Team London Bridge capital projects.
A tale of two cities Tooley Street
Tooley Street
Shand Street
St.Thomas Street
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2. CONTEXT LINKS
LUNGS
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LIGHTS
LEISURE EVENTS
2. 2. CONTEXT
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2.1 Townscape
Tooley Street – St. Johns Church Yard The church yard offers a place for quiet contemplation and relaxation and direct route from Tooley Street and St. Thomas Street through to Tower Bridge Road. Hidden from view, with very poor entrances the park appears uncared for and unwelcoming and as a consequence is little used. A great shame in an area lacking in green space.
View of Tower Bridge Road from Pottersfield Park
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Druid Street The railway arches and the viaduct act as a physical and physiological barrier. The one way system encourages traffic to speed through the area which contributes to a threatening pedestrian environment. The physical appearance of the area is deprived, poorly lit in places and with business usages that contribute to dead frontages.
Druid Street
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Druid Street onto Crucifix Lane Tunnel Crucifix Lane underpass is relatively short and therefore clear lines of vision can be obtained. Yet it still has a threatening atmosphere due to its physical condition and poor lighting. The lack of footfall, blackened brickwork, railings and poorly positioned bin stores contribute to a sense of foreboding.
Crucifix Lane
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2. CONTEXT 2.1 Townscape
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Bermondsey Street, St. Thomas Street junction The promise of historic Bermondsey Street is hindered by the menacing appearance of St. Thomas Street and Crucifix Lane. Bermondsey Street tunnel remains under lit during the day. This is a key decision point in terms of pedestrian movement, yet fast moving and heavy traffic makes this an uninviting area – a place to move through and not to linger.
Crucifix Lane - Bermondsey Street
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Crucifix Lane The streetscape is generally cluttered. Traffic is proceeding at intervals at high speed St.Thomas Str - Shand Tunnel
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St. John’s Park The churchyard offers a place for quiet contemplation and relaxation, yet it is under used because it appears uncared for and therefore unwelcoming. Pedestrian desire lines show a direct, diagonal route through the Park; one gets the sense that few people stop.
St. John’s Park
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2. CONTEXT
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2.2 Planning policy The project realises the potential of the regeneration under the
area’s LDF & Core Strategy. Through the Shard & the Gem and other high-rise developments, a new and floating population will come to the area. The project facilitates the increased footfall and delivers on, the needs of London Bridge, in particularly as identified, through: • Facilitating, directing, and encouraging movement flow north-south to break the current perceived barrier created by the railway and its viaducts. • Enhancing and promoting the character of the area and its important sites. • Improving the walking/cycling experience in the area with connections, linkages, and enhancements that draw and lead people along the way, in a thoughtful and strategic manner, through existing open/green spaces and retail/entertainment opportunity areas. • Promoting an attractive, convenient, lively and friendly environment for the people living and working in the area, enabling Southwark and London to grow and prosper. This proposal facilitates the movement of pedestrians (visitors, workers, and community) throughout the area in a strategic manner that encourages the spread of businesses and can have a positive impact on areas adjacent to it. This is particularly applicable to the London Bridge area where such pedestrian movement proposals can increase footfall bringing the commerce for small businesses (cafes, restaurants, pubs, etc.) along the streets/spaces directly south of the railway arches. Signage is also an important way finding tool and should not be confused with adding additional street clutter. This strategy recommends the implementation of the Legible London (LL) pedestrian sign system to meet sign requirements. It has been developed by Transport for London (TFL) and has been introduced in other parts of the Capital. Improvement of pedestrian paths in the London Bridge area, through proposals can enhance the public realm and rationalises movement organically through it; promoting the place’s distinct character.
Walking /Cycling Improvements
Important Sites
Character Areas
Encourages Movement Flow
Open Spaces
Possible green links between Open Spaces
Opportunity Areas
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3. CONSULTATION LINKS
LUNGS
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LIGHTS
LEISURE EVENTS
3. CONSULTATION
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3.1 Vision
Southwark councillors Southwark council Parks Fair housing services tenant management organisation London businesses ,Residents and TRAs
nearly 50M long plain brick wall without any openings right along the line of correspondence of the two parks. This wall is a potential feature in this place in a way that could be used as a side by guiding device between the two parks. How?
Potters Field park management trust More London(residents)
new bicycle path ? Managers
pedestrian crossing
London borough of Southwark
Southwark council Parks Southwark diocese
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at the moment it may look like that the triangular place around the figure is remoted to the St John’s and Potersfield park assembly but the soon the corner is developed there will be need to integrate Tower Bridge pedestrian routes with the inner Tooley St when it will be required to look into the triangle.
the new building has negotiated its place yet it is up to park side to negotiate relation with the corner building
unnecessary park wall that protects nothing at all, hard edge separating the street pavement and the lawn
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to be giv en
pavement some of on both sides of both par the Tooley ks Street
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Fa ca ir S fair n it tree ha sit bec t , v w rd b e? om er re ith a ou e p y lo ac mov spa ndar ed w v cid in ce y es eh to g tria ic e nta , op of th niz ular lly en no e s ed tra it c ing me tre an fic re up an et d tu ra ate th ing rn te a s sh e pa at a ed nd ifts rk ll to no ah tm of ? vis an uc dfu h ion s in l ti of n me ec fie e a y sit lds ea y r
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the chu fenc rch e w yard all spa is an tial obs art ole mo icu te few ving th lati rem on me e e na ters ntr nt of dow ance a lo n th to th ng e ro e ag ad park o
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This report also provides guidance for integrating projects that can be developed in partnership with Team London Bridge or delivered solely by others.
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Signage selection and installation
Play equipment selection and installation
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Site Preparation Plant selection and installation
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Soil Analysis
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permeability and ecological issues within Park
Hydrology Report
site for new children playground?
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Enhance visual and recreational appeal of St john’s
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dem olitio acq n of u the and iring th wall ass ignine territo ry g it to P before oterf e ield the wa s pa ll c rk
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the surgery’s exclusive siting is got to be exploited in narrating this corner of the park
Complement the provision of amenity and facilities
• Space utilization must be integrated into the development of pedestrian led solutions; • Key to success is the designing of public realm; • Information must be seamless as part of the space syntax – delivered consistently across the whole journey.
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The ‘Urban Track’ proposes to tie this area together, acting as host to the interventions discussed in this report. The following principles have guided the development of this strategy:
SHAREHOLDERS
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Consultees
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Our aim is to create a more attractive route to the roads running South of Tooley Street for non motor vehicles by improving the public realm promoting key anchor and canvass points to create a sense of place that leads people through the viaducts to the bespoke retail offer, cafe culture and other attractions beyond them using interventions that sensitively enhance and promote the current landscape for which we have used the term ‘Urban Track’.
URBAN FOREST Existing Facilities
Shrubs and herbaceous planting
After care and maintenance
Recreation
solution
New site plan(providing for greater play area Lightning Systems selection and
Rest and Relaxation
solutions
Seating
SPD
Play Equipment
Pedestrian Route Paths Surfaces
Provision for a floating park
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LINKS
Children's play Entrance facilities
LOCAL POLICIES
Art works
St. John’s Park links
TOOLEY STREET PARKS SHAREHOLDERS
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3. CONSULTATION
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3.2 Overview
Stakeholder Overview
Consultees
Stakeholder presentation
The consultation with local stakeholders within the study area included meeting resident groups, land lords, people working within the Creative Industry, developers both large & small, architects, Southwark Council, different scales of businesses, the full list is detailed above. The meetings were undertaken throughout the design process and helped steer and scope the final design interventions proposed in order to accommodate local responses to the issues caused by the viaducts.
Arch 897 (Holyrood St) Architecture Foundation (Tooley St) Bermondsey Street Towers (Bermondsey St) Cracknell Landscape Architects (Holyrood St) David Rosenberg from Velrose (Tooley Street) Fashion & Textile Museum (Bermondsey St) Glass Blowing & Art Gallery (Bermondsey St) Greenwood Theatre (Weston Street) Igloo Developers (Bermondsey St) James Dinwiddie (Snowsfields) Mark Bacon (Crucifix Lane) Michael Davis (Melior Place) Pierre Garroudi Gallery (Crucifix Lane) Red Bull (Tooley Street) Renzo Piano Workshop (architects of the Shard) Shiva Ltd (Bermondsey St/ Crucifix Lane) Shunt (Bermondsey St) Team London Bridge staff (area side) Tim Morgan (Crucifix Lane)
Presentations and / or walk-about were also conducted with the following stake-holders:
Despite the numerous consultations that have been undertaken within this area by others, there was no evidence of consultation fatigue; those we met had opinions they wanted to share on what they believed could be done to help alleviate the blocks caused by the viaducts. The responses have been grouped together according to the relevant streets.
”Cycle routes important” ”improve access for bikes on private landlords land” ”market in Bermondsey Tunnel”
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”link Pottersfield Park and St John’s Church yard” ”restore arches”
Bermondsey Street Area Partnership Network Rail / Spacia Railway Heritage Trust Southwark Council officers Southwark Living Streets Team London Bridge Board of Directors Transport for London An open evening and exhibition was held at the Bridge Lounge on the evening of Wednesday 10 March. This was widely publicised to the local business community and was attended by over 50 business people.
”Better lighting in tunnels” ”Please slow the traffic” ”events and festivals”
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4. URBAN STRATEGIES LINKS
LUNGS
LIGHTS
LEISURE EVENTS
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4. URBAN STRATEGIES
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4.1 Urban Strategies Overview The Urban Track proposal is in two parts: Urban Strategies: These are general approaches to linking the area together that could be applied in an endless variety of creative interventions. We have suggested that there are four interlinked strategies that can be used to intertwine the Urban Track: These being: improving LINKS between neighbourhoods; using for example Circulation and Retail strategies using LIGHTS to enhance spaces at night; growing green LUNGS; & generating LEISURE EVENTS to enliven the area. Interventions: These are specific proposals that apply the urban strategies to specific locations with the area.
1 - Lungs
The Urban Track itself posits to pathways in the area where both the Strategies and the Interventions can be applied. The inner track runs from Tooley Street to Bermondsey Street, Crucifix Lane, St John’s Street and shows the links between the green spaces. the outer Path Running from Borough Street, down Tower Bridge Road showing the link between the north and south pedestrian and cycle ways.
4 - Lights
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2 - Links
5 - Leisure Events - Anchor & Canvas
3 - Links by Circulation
6 - Links by Retail
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4.2 Links using Retail Strategy There is a vibrant retail scene along Tooley Street focussed on public attractions of National and International significance such as London Dungeons, London Experience, HMS Belfast, Borough Market and a plethora of cafes, restaurants and public houses. These are all within a 15 minute walk of London Bridge Station. By examining the current retail offer in this area and through our consultations we believe there is scope for further major national retail chains to make routes here including a mini supermarket to take advantage of the growing number of office and residential properties that are being developed and gaps in the current market place. The retail offer to the South of the area along Bermondsey Street, Crucifix Lane etc is quite different with a bohemian feel; there are a wealth of Independent, highly stylised retail, art and craft shops with the current anchors being the Fashion & Textile Museum and The Design Museum and more recently Bermondsey Square. The area is home to some very fashionable nightclubs which provide a vibrant night scene with clubs such as ‘Jacks’ and ‘Cable’ being extremely popular for young trendy night clubbers. There is scope for the development of a live music and comedy venue to complement the current entertainment offer which also includes a thriving experimental artistic scene, fringe theatres, more main stream theatre and children’s theatre and community cinema.
BESPOKE HIGH-STREET
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4. URBAN STRATEGIES
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4.3 Links using Public Realm The research has highlighted a series of existing public spaces that have the potential of being linked together to create the proposed ‘Urban Track’. The visual links would be achieved using canvases such as art features to lead people naturally along the path, and by creating gateways to draw people‘s attention to the paths access points. The existing physical connections would be improved by shifting the parks entrances, opening up gateways, eliminating fences, and working on the pavement; its texture, style, and direction. The idea would be to make the flow from one park to another very obvious avoiding the need for a map. The map illustrated shows the parks and open spaces in green and the links in red. This idea is developed further on the next page.
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4.3 Links using Public Realm 1
The example illustrated here in red to show clarity, highlights that by using the same style and opening as that used on Pottersfied Park entrance to St John’s Park, the two areas can be linked visually.
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Suggested priority projects:
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Linking Potters Field Park across Tooley Street to St. John’s Church Yard.
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Linking Crucifix Lane & St. Thomas Street by bridging the junction at Bermondsey Street. Linking St. John’s Church Yard to Crucifix Lane.
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4. URBAN STRATEGIES
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4.4 Links through Circulation London Bridge is a major transport artery for all modes of transport including road, rail, cycle and river route ways. There are major developments to the transport system already planned which will be critical to the growth of the area and also have a positive impact on its economic viability with major building developments such as The Shard already underway. Through our consultations what has been apparent is the need to integrate the transport system more effectively in order to make the area more dynamic and vibrant. The viaducts have already caused the area to be divided by creating major barriers to north south movement. Main causes for concern are the speeds at which traffic moves around London Bridge, the one way system creates sporadic but fast moving flows of traffic which exacerbates movement as pedestrians feel unsafe. Returning to a two flow of traffic should help alleviate this situation; good examples where this has already happened to good effect can be seen around Piccadilly and Pall Mall. The transport strategy should include a system that: • Actively encourages pedestrians and cycling in the area • Has a carefully managed efficient public transport system • Supports road closures linked to an events strategy that encourages economic growth and north south pedestrian movement • Proactively encourages and delivers wider pavements • Improve lighting in and around viaducts to increase safety and reduce perception of crime There is a major push towards sustainable transport that will gain momentum in the future and further help and support transport systems that are more pedestrian and cycle friendly; as an area facing major change it is right that London Bridge should take the lead and be at the forefront of such a change, This is supported by the current SPD out for public consultation.
Bermondsey Street Tunnel
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PUBLIC TRANSPORT
LOCAL TRANSPORT
CYCLE ROUTES
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CIRCULATION AND TRANSPORT STRATEGY 18
4. URBAN STRATEGIES
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4.5 Leisure Events - Anchors & Canvases The consultation flagged up the desire for events promoting the diverse and bohemian nature of the retail outlets on Bermondsey Street and suggested a ‘what’s on’ guide linking the north and south to promote further footfall movement across the area.
Tooley Street / Weston Tunnel
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Artistic, physical and visual interventions on buildings and in the public realm could act as ‘anchors’ and ‘canvases’ to help draw people through the area and reinforce its character as a creative neighbourhood of galleries and artists. Suggested priority projects: The Bermondsey Street Partnership would like more events and have suggested hosting:
• a four day Christmas Fayre located under Bermondsey Tunnel to take advantage of the protection it affords from the elements;
• a monthly weekend fair that celebrates the design and fashion in the area linking with the events organised in and around Bermondsey Square.
Weston Street
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Weston Street / Snowfields ANCHOR and LEGIBLE LONDON CANVAS
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-Canvases (short term/ long term) using art, imaginative lighting and vertical gardens, on blank flank walls could create a sense of place that would lead people through the paths. -Anchors (short term) places that can draw attention, attract people and work as markers to the urban track
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Crucifix Lane
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Crucifix Lane
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Tooley Street
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4. URBAN STRATEGIES
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4.6 Lungs
The research has highlighted there are two distinct areas for circular movement that could be more clearly defined through both bold and also sensitive smaller scale interventions: Inner Circle: (marked in blue) running from Tooley Street to Bermondsey Street, Crucifix Lane, St John’s Street and shows the links between the green spaces Outer circle: (marked in red) running from Borough Street, down Tower Bridge Road shows the link between the north and south pedestrian and cycle ways. The results of this part of the research were so significant in our view in terms of linking up this area in a way that was different to the retail offer, but would complement it, through users discovering the area through different medium adding value and depth. We have focussed on how these connections can be further enhanced to the benefit of current and potential users through both soft and hard interventions. The hard interventions focus on additionality and are bolder in their design, changing gateways so that there are clear links between areas; compared to the soft interventions which focus on developing an events strategy that would lead people into using this area, including the use of temporary art features.
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4. URBAN STRATEGIES 4.6 Lungs
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Public spaces constitute a vital part of public life and are often referred to as the lungs of an area. Attractive, safe and accessible parks and green spaces deliver social, economic and environmental benefits in addition to improving public health and wellbeing. At the same time parks provide many specific facilities for particular groups – sports players, children and carers, event organisers, nature conversationalists and many others.
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The focus of this project has been to look at the current connections between open spaces/meeting points and green areas. Suggested priority projects:
• Installing a living green wall on the viaduct on Holyrood Street and potentially through into and onto the Ber mondsey Street Tunnel.
• Revealing the Snowfields Primary School garden space through the installation of artistically designed fencing that would be a feature in itself, revealing the garden beyond while respecting the privacy of our youngest citizens.
Proposed materials, vertical gardens and integrated public street furniture
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4. URBAN STRATEGIES
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4.7 Lights
The research highlighted an interesting inner path that could lead people through the arches and enhance north-south connections underneath the railway viaduct. Lighting is the key here. Although Southwark Council has completed some excellent lighting projects as result of the Light at the End of the Tunnel report almost all those consulted noted that the tunnels (including Bermondsey Street) needed not just improved lighting but a wonderful mix of artistic lighting to show off the amazing architecture of the tunnels and viaducts. Many people commented on the funky lighting projects that are now a fabulous feature of the Bankside area. Suggested priority projects:
• Lighting Shand and Barnham Street tunnels.
• Installing additional artistic lighting in and around the Bermondsey Street tunnel to build on the initial work re cently completed by Southwark Council.
To be considered as part of the wider events and cultural strategy for the area.
Bermondsey Street Tunnel
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BLUE PATH OF LIGHTS 22
oject
London Bridge Railway Arches Project
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4. URBAN STRATEGIES 4.7 Lights
Inspirational images
DESIGN PATH The research highlighted an interesting inner path (illustrated in blue) that could lead people through the arches and enhance north-south connections underneath the railways. It provides a pleasant journey towards interesting places such as those situated on Bermondsey St, Bermondsey Sq, and the parks in this area all of which reside south of the archways.
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Indicative map of the area Because the railway arches have such a significant presence, the suggested Blue Path of Light would be further enhanced by using Canvases along it to lead the flow of movement through them in an unobtrusive manner. Further intervention would be required to improve the general look and feel of this path by improving the surfaces of the brickwork through cleaning, adding general lighting, the application of art, and the use of vertical gardens to create a more attractive environment.
The legibility of the path could be further enhanced by: • Widening the pavements • Slowing traffic flow ‘DESIGN By making the inner blue path more pedestrian and cycle friendly and a nicer and more interesting environment in the area immediately next to as well as inside the arches, there would be a greater flow of pedestrian movement.
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CONCEPT
PATH’ MAP
EXISTING
Hanging patterns and posters in the the tunnels
The Archways
Hanging structure with effect lighting
PROPOSED ARTWORK & LIGHTING ON TUNNELS
Suffolk Street
London Bridge Railway Arches Project
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Bermondsey Street
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Bermondsey Street Tunnel
The Archways
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Skate park on Druid Street
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Indicative map of the area
CONCEPT ‘DESIGN PATH’ MAP
PROPOSED ARTWORK & LIGHTING ON TUNNELS EXISTING
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CONCEPT KathyON Basheva Sofia Bouceddour Luis Caicedo Pier-Luigi Cavedine PROPOSED ARTWORK LIGHTING TUNNELS The & ArCollaborative The ArCollaborative
Julie Greer Matteo Mazzola S
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5. PRIORITY INTERVENTIONS LINKS
LUNGS
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LEISURE EVENTS
5. PRIORITY INTERVENTIONS
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5.1 Overview of Interventions Legend
Raised shared surface
Border of intervention
Built area
Bespoke retail
Green public area
Pavement
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Area under consultation
Opportunities for links in the archways
More London
Overview This study has proposed an ‘Urban Track’ to tie this area together by acting as a host to the priority interventions. The projects outlined can be delivered by a variety of stakeholders. Team London Bridge are advised to carry forward discussions with: Southwark Council in relation to their proposals for St. John’s Church Yard; More London re designs for Tooley Street; TFL in relation to traffic calming measures; Network Rail re the railway arches; The Bermondsey Street Area Partnership as to the running of a themed street market; the business and resident community as to their support for the urban strategy and individual proposed interventions: Priority interventions (in order of importance) LINKS Linking Crucifix Lane & St. Thomas Street Linking Potters Field Park to St. John’s Linking St. John’s to Crucifix Lane LIGHTS Shand & Barnham Street tunnels LUNGS Holyrood Street green wall Snowsfields LEISURE EVENTS Bermondsey St tunnel market & lighting
Scale 1:5000
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5. PRIORITY INTERVENTIONS
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Tooley Street Recommendations: • Careful management of pavement by London Dungeons to allow and encourage access to rest of Tooley Street and beyond • Adoption of Legible London signage • Investment in viaduct entrance visible from Tooley Street using lighting/greening/public art • Make connection of Pottersfield Park with St John’s Park using Links strategy
Tooley Street
Consulted: large scale commercial company, pub landlord, large scale commercial developers, an architect small scale business CONSULTEE RESPONSES ”Management of pavements bottle neck London Dungeons” ”London Bridge Experience driving out other uses, Intervention at Gateway to area e.g. Bermondsey Tunnel” ”Signage above tunnel - denoting which tunnel it is” ”Feature on far side of Bermondsey tunnel liked idea of vertical garden” ”Improve lighting during the day to lead people through the tunnel” ”Maintain independent shops and High Street Retail” ”More functional art”
Legible London
Tooley Street / Bermondsey Street
Wider pavements
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5. PRIORITY INTERVENTIONS
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Bermondsey Street Recommendations: • Lighting – Improve lighting during day so that it matches evening lighting – using Blue Path of Light Strategy. • Enhance appearance viaduct using either greening using vertical gardens/ 3D Art inspired by history of area/ link with 2012 Olympics • Adopt Legible London signage • Opportunity to develop a Comedy /Music Club as this is lacking in area
Consulted: Commercial Let Cultural Attraction Bermondsey Street Partnership CONSULTEE RESPONSES ”wider pavements” ”slow down traffic” ”improved signage to area” ”Would like to see more intervention including greater lighting leading people through tunnel” ”active arches” Would support low cost intervention entrance to Bermondsey Street Tunnel
View on Bermondsey Street towards the tunnel
Options for integrated Canvases and lights and use of the tunnel
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5. PRIORITY INTERVENTIONS
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Bermondsey Street Tunnel
Recommendations: • Strategies to slow down traffic • Adopt strategy to encourage active arches strategy • Widen pavements • Two way traffic • Improve signage to area • Adopt new Events strategy - monthly/quarterly market where part of street closed off for half a day • Lighting intervention - Inside tunnel lighting in centre – complement with a ’dado link’ along tunnel wave with Community Art set on plaques involve local schools e.g. Tower Bridge School & Snowfields School • Clean up entrance Bermondsey Tunnel
Bermondsey Street Tunnel before
Lighting proposal
Bermondsey Street Tunnel after
This is a key gateway to the area south of Tooley Street and as the longest viaduct in London is a real physical barrier in terms of movement. Bermondsey Street Tunnel has already seen a significant amount of work undertaken in order to reduce the perception of crime and safety issues
CONSULTEE RESPONSES “Wider pavements, slow down traffic, Improved signage to area.” “Events strategy to include monthly/quarterly market where part of street closed off for part of day” “Concern over more rent rises if area developed further.”
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5. PRIORITY INTERVENTIONS
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Holyrood Road
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Recommendations: • Rejuvenate archesusing either colour scheme or replace current frontages with glass • Adopt active arches strategy • Reapir and widen pavements using cobble stones to add texture to area • Link lighting scheme to match that adopted at Bermondsey Tunnel • Adopt Legible London signage to area • Greening of area by adding vertical gardens inbetween arches • New parking regime will puch car litter to far end of Street • Remove blue gate reduce perception of crime • Clean up entrance to Bermondsey Tunnel New bespoke retail
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3 Consulted: Commercial Let Social Enterprise Architect
Plan of Holyrood Rd / Bermondsey Tunnel
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Location of new bespoke retail in the archways
Surface clean-up
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CONSULTEE RESPONSES “Widen and repair pavement, using cobbles” “Remove cars from street” “Better sign posting of building uses” “Raised table junction Crucifix Lane/St John’s Street and Snowfields”
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5. PRIORITY INTERVENTIONS
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Crucifix Lane
Recommendations: • Raised table at junction Bermondsey Tunnel/Snowfields/ St Thomas Street & Crucifix Lane • Create a piece of bespoke art for the signal box make it a feature or the area, sensitively done • Clean, repair and renovate bricks above arches and stone work to create historic significant area • Remove bin store on housing estate next to Shiva holdings replace with public realm - need to consult with residents: Function piece of art Sculpture inspired by history area/2012 Olympics Lighting scheme in line with Blue Path of Light Strategy
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Before
Consulted: Artistes Land lords
‘Canvas’
After
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Crucifix Lane has a wealth of historic features along it that could act as an anchor for visitors. Home to the bottling & tanneries of old there is still evidence of its past CONSULTEE RESPONSES ”Slow
down traffic” ”renovate brick work around arches” ”would support improved lighting and 3D Art as an anchor for area” ”Thames River inspired mural” ”Install a lighting scheme”
Options for integrated Canvases, lights and use of the tunnel 30
5. PRIORITY INTERVENTIONS
URBAN TRACK
Linking St.Johns Park through Druid Street Recommendations: • Cleaning viaduct entrances • Repair and renovate bricks above arches and stone work to create historic significant area • Adopt traffic calming measures • Widen pavement • Create a two way traffic system
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Integrating shared surface for pedestrians and vehicles
1 Consulted: Artistes Land lords CONSULTEE RESPONSES ”Slow
down traffic” ”renovate brick work around arches” ”would support improved lighting” ”3D Art as an anchor for area” ”change one way traffic system to two way”
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5. PRIORITY INTERVENTIONS
URBAN TRACK
Linking St. Thomas Street and Crucifix Lane 2
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Recommendations: • Adopt traffic calming measures • Widen pavement • Creat a two way traffic system • Adopt Active frontages strategy • Create a raised table at junction • Repair and renovate bricks above arches and stone work to create historic significant area
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Repair brick work to arches
Shared surfaces in all indicated locations
Situated to the right, far side of Bermondsey Tunnel as you approach St Thomas Street from Tooley Street at the junction of Bermondsey Tunnel entrance, Bermondsey Street, Crucifix Lane
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5. PRIORITY INTERVENTIONS
URBAN TRACK
Snowfields Road
Recommendations: • Adopt traffic calming measures • Widen pavement • Create a two way traffic system • Create a raised table for whole area • Replace school fence with a more functional and bespoke piece of art to change atmosphere area
Consulted: Architect Resident Bermondsey Street Partnership CONSULTEE RESPONSES ”Raised table junction Crucifix Lane/St John’s Street and Snowfields, extend to encompass whole area” ”Sense of belonging important plus the interaction between large and small organisation” ”invest in greater public amenities e.g. larger library, swimming pool improve school fencing using S106 contributions“ “Creative intervention input to include community and school children” ”Traffic calming measures” ”Replace school fence with a more functional and bespoke piece of art”
Options for integrated fence and planters
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5. PRIORITY INTERVENTIONS Leisure Event Strategy
The research highlighted the depth and diversity of the cultural offer within the study area from international attractions such as London Dungeons, HMS Belfast to National attractions such as Borough Market, The Scoop, and Bermondsey’s Antique Market; to theatres and a plethora of cafes and bars, as well as a lively night club scene. The current cultural offer whilst extremely diverse isn’t joined up and there are opportunities for cross marketing. The consultation flagged up the desire within the area to have a joined up approach to events and seek opportunities for more events in order to promote the diverse and bohemian style nature of the retail outlets and encourage greater footfall. The Bermondsey Street Partnership, a very proactive community group, currently organises the Bermondsey Street Festival each September, they would like further opportunities to host more events such as a four day Christmas Fayre; ideally located under Bermondsey Tunnel to take advantage of the protection it affords from the elements; a monthly weekend fair that celebrates the design and fashion in the area linking in with the events organised in and around Bermondsey Square. There are also regular events in Bermondsey Square such as the Friday antiques market and the new farmers market. There is potential to have a joint ‘what’s on’ guide linking events the north with the south to promote further footfall movement across the area. This would be considered as an alternative wayfinding system to any structural intervention. In addition to providing a good quality network of public spaces and links between them, the proposed urban paths also promote culture, visitor experience, leisure, and improve the look, feel, and safety of the area. The enhanced links and movement paths for pedestrians and cyclists in the London Bridge area would have the effect of providing a better knit for the community of the two areas north and south of the viaduct by improving access. The Urban Track proposal provides an effective strategy in which this may be achieved. The paths from the Urban Track are designed to reinforce ‘Bermondsey Village’, drawing and leading people through it and to it effectively. In summary the improvement of pedestrian paths in the London Bridge area, through the design proposals of Urban Track, can enhance the public realm and rationalise movement organically through it; promoting the place’s distinct character Blue Path and existing natural realm Green Path, benefiting all.
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PUBLIC REALM
6. METHODOLOGY
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6.1 Summary and moving forward ARCollaborative strongly believe in order to achieve the aspirations of the local business community; its residents, including those that work and live within the area a master plan is required so that as monies become available different schemes within it can be implemented. The original brief highlighted the desire to have costings for 5 small scale projects of about ÂŁ5,000 each and a larger more ambitious project at about ÂŁ500,000. These detailed costings have fallen outside the scope of this project as it is the feeling of Arcollaborative that they should form part of the next stage of the design process and that this first stage has focussed on consultation and design options. The Arcollaborative is well placed to be part of this second phase and would welcome the opportunity to cost one or more of the design proposals. In line with other regeneration projects any scheme must serve to regenerate the area in order to provide economic uplift. This would be in keeping with our ambitions in any intervention we recommend seeking to encourage greater levels of pedestrian movement north and south of the viaducts. The general recommendations such as cleaning the viaducts, improving general lighting, de-cluttering, repairing and widening pavements, signage can in our opinion be funded as distinct packages. Lastly because the designs within the scheme would be developed in such a way that they build on existing features within the area it is not essential or necessary to implement the entire scheme at the same time but in stages as and when monies become available.
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6. METHODOLOGY 6.2 Time Scale
The public realm covers the streets and public spaces that make up an area. Often it is what people remember most about an area and has a very important role to play in making places distinct and successful. A good public realm will help attract business to an area, help buffer activity from quiet places and improve amenity in residential neighbourhoods. Bankside, Borough and London Bridge play an important role in enabling Southwark and London to grow and prosper. There are already a number of public realm projects underway in the area such as: Bankside Urban Forest Borough and Bankside Streetscape Improvement Programme Bermondsey Streetscape Improvement Programme London Bridge BID Street Enhancement plan Light at the end of the tunnel The project we are recommending should complement the works already taking place within this area. Some of the other major developments scheduled to take place within this area are illustrated here. This proposal has evolved from, and delivers on, the needs of London Bridge, in particularly as identified under the area’s Local Development Framework and Core Strategy, through: • Facilitating, directing, and encouraging movement flow north-south to break the current perceived barrier created by the railway and its viaducts. • Enhancing and promoting the character of the area and its important sites. • Improving the walking/cycling experience in the area with connections, linkages, and enhancements that draw and lead people along the way, in a thoughtful and strategic manner, through existing open/green spaces and retail/entertainment opportunity areas. • Promoting an attractive, convenient, lively and friendly environment for the people living and working in the area, enabling Southwark and London to grow and prosper.
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7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
CONSULTATION AND DESIGN
Thanks to Team London Bridge Railway Heritage Trust Construction Support Group Red Bull, More London Spacia/Network Rail Architecture Foundation Igloo Developers Cracknell Landscape Architects Southwark Council Officers including Heads of Public Realm and Planning The Shard Greenwood Theatre Arch 897 James Dinwiddie Mark Bacon Pierre Garroudi Gallery Shiva Ltd Southwark Living Streets Tim Morgan Shunt Bermondsey Street Area Partnership Michael Davis David Rosenberg Glass Blowing & Art Gallery Fashion & Textile Museum Bermondsey Street Towers
RESEARCH AND DESIGN
This project has been developed by a number of professionals who have come together from a diverse cultural and professional experience background through Westminster University’s Build Up Programme. This breadth and depth of experience within the group has resulted in a creative, vibrant project that encompasses the group’s professional acumen, knowledge and experience working within the built up environment and regeneration issues.
URBAN TRACK KATHY BASHEVA - Project Co-ordinator and architectural consultant and designer – Design Brief Role: Kathy has led on the creative designs for the project, co-ordinating and developing the final project and supporting the consultation process. Experience and Qualifications: Masters Degree in Sustainable Architecture, B.Arch. from Tel-Aviv university. Kathy brings 15 years of international experience in architecture,a third of which has been in the field of green construction in UK. Kathy has led a multi-million pound private residential development and took part of the refurbishment of the East London Line. Kathy has experience in variety of projects, among others including a public buildings, master plans and urban regeneration proposals, residnetial and commercial schemese in Israel, China, Germany and the US.
SAM MCCAFFREY – Project Coordinator – Business Consultations Role: Sam has led the business consultations, scoping and delivering the report and been the main contact for businesses and Team London Bridge. Experience and Qualifications: MBA, MA Leisure & Tourism, BSc HONs Geography. Sam has a wealth of knowledge in respect of the Creative Industries having worked within Entertainment, Event and Theatre Management for over eighteen years in local authority, not for profit, student union and commercial settings. Sam also has experience of writing tenders, project instigation and management, along with fundraising experience. Sam brings competence in ‘Place Making’ acquired through the HCA which supports regeneration and the development of sustainable communities.
PIERLUIGI CAVEDINE – Architect ARB, Role: Project Designer Experience and Qualification: Masters Degree in Architecture. PierLuigi worked in Italy in residential and urban projects and competitions, gained experience as tutor at Venice University of Architecture IUAV, and have been recently invoved in international projects.
ANDREW SIDDALL - Part II Architectural Assistant Role: Andrew contributed to the Movement & Circulation analysis; coordinated and produced the site analysis document and early presentation graphics; and was involved in the design process and the creation of orthographic and rendered graphics. Experience and Qualifications: Master of Architecture (M. Arch) from the University of Calgary. Andrew’s UK work experience includes projects of varying scales from large-scale mixed use schemes to small interior projects, all located within greater London. In Canada, he worked on several proposals for University and Government institutions and was involved though all of the stages of the building process for an office building.
MATTEO MAZZOLA - Architect - Project designer Role: Matteo has brought his contribution on several aspects of the project, leading on the Movement and Circulation analysis, on the TFL consultation and working on the design and graphics. Experience and Qualifications: MSc Arch – ARB - OAPPC MI. Matteo has gained a solid all round experience in over 11 years of work both in UK and in Italy in variety of projects and sectors. He has a keen interest in Sustainable Architecture and has completed a two years course held by ANAB Milano.
ZORAN RADIVOJEVIC – Project Designer Role: Ideas, planning and design team member Experience and Qualifications: BSc (HONs) Dip Arch RIBA II worked in several London based practices.
RESEARCH AND SUPPORT
LUIS M.CAICEDO SARDI – Researcher – Development Policy & Strategy Role: With Julie Greer, Luis developed the team’s response to the current planning policies for London Bridge, advising on the area’s Local Development Framework (LDF), Core Strategy, and Supplementary Planning Document (SPDs). Experience and Qualifications: ICIOB, LEED AP, MSc Bldg Constr, BDes in Arch, Mnr BA. Luis brings eight years work experience in project management roles with reputable firms in the UK and abroad, including Bovis Lend Lease and Canary Wharf Group, exercising due diligence and delivering on projects from design to turnover. Luis is also project developer for the Eco-Health Pavilions proposal in London.
JULIE A GREER - Researcher – Wayfinding, Conservation & Listed Building Policy, Role: With Luis Caicedo Sardi, Julie researched the integration of emerging major developments and the assessment of Southwark Policy, in particular the Supplementary Planning Policy and Conservation policy. Experience and Qualifications: DipTP, AA (Build’g Cons) RTPI, IHBC, Julie brings 20 years of experience in town planning and urban design as principal design advisor to the Olympic Delivery Authority; Head of Design at Southwark Council and Senior Officer at Westminster Council. She led on major regeneration developments such as the Olympic Village, Olympic Park Wayfinding Strategy, the Shard, Bankside and Tate Modern. Julie is Director of Greer Pritchard, a design-led town planning consultancy.
With kind thanks to Yen Nguyen, Sofia Bouceddour and Adeola Oni
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URBAN TRACK LINKS
LUNGS
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LIGHTS
LEISURE EVENTS EVENTS