LDA finances Bankside Urban Forest development

Published: 11-Mar-2010

The London Development Agency (LDA) will provide GBP4 million ($5.9 million) to the Bankside Urban Forest, a program of works to improve public space in the Southwark Bankside area, stretching from the riverside to the Elephant and Castle.

The Bankside Urban Forest improvements will make the most of the planned extension of Tate Modern and new Blackfriars Station on the Thames Path. The project will make safe and attractive routes from the riverside to public transport links and draw some of the 12 million people who visit the riverside each year into the wider Bankside area. The first LDA-funded projects will be at Great Guildford Street and Flat Iron Square.

Bankside Urban Forest is part of 'London's Great Outdoors', the Mayor's overall vision for transforming the capital's public spaces. The three-year plan sets out his commitment to champion the improvement of public spaces in London and their contribution to the quality of life in the capital.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said, "London's Great Outdoors program is creating a network of attractive public spaces across the capital. Work to improve the Bankside area will not only link together the Tate Modern and the upgraded Blackfriars Station, but will now stretch from the river as far as Elephant and Castle. This important project will open up long overlooked areas of historical interest and create better access for residents and visitors alike."

The Bankside Urban Forest design framework has been developed by Witherford Watson Mann architects and overseen by a local coalition led by Better Bankside and including Southwark Council, Cross River Partnership, Tate Modern, the Architecture Foundation, Design for London and the London Development Agency.

Tell your friend about this article