​Lambeth and Wandsworth Councils launched an exciting vision to extend the Low Line through the heart of Vauxhall, Nine Elms, and Battersea, celebrating local heritage, character, and communities along the Victorian railway viaduct.
Lambeth Council and Wandsworth Councils have joined forces to celebrate the publication of their new vision and delivery plan – Extending the Low Line: A Vision for Activation and Delivery.
The councils want to transform the public realm adjacent to the viaduct and connect it to its surrounding areas.
These will combine to benefit local communities, support existing and new businesses, improve the walking and cycling capacity of the corridor, transform public spaces along the route, and attract visitors to areas along the line where there is a focus on culture, food and beverage, the night-time economy and much more.
The councils will promote existing and new connections in and around the viaduct that reduce its nature as a barrier and realise the social, economic and environmental opportunities it presents for local communities and neighbourhoods.
It has the potential to connect spaces between Battersea Power Station and Bermondsey, running through Nine Elms, Vauxhall, Waterloo, South Bank, Bankside, and London Bridge.
A launch event was held on January 23 at Mother Kelly’s, one of the Vauxhall arches, showcasing the viaduct’s role in supporting a vibrant night-time economy.
The leader of Lambeth Council, Councillor Claire Holland, and the deputy leader of Wandsworth Council, Councillor Kemi Akinola, opened the event.
This partnership vision and placemaking strategy explores the exciting opportunity to enhance the role of the 299 arches and surrounding routes and spaces in the Vauxhall, Nine Elms and Battersea area.
The councils have established a shared vision and spatial and investment priorities through extensive local engagement and partnership. These will enable us to connect diverse neighbourhoods and communities in South London, link existing and new hubs of creativity, culture and industry, and improve the quality, safety and sustainability of spaces along the route for all.
The Low Line represents an ambitious feat of urban regeneration. In the coming years, a variety of projects, programmes, and partnerships will be explored and developed.
Cllr Claire Holland said: “The extension of the Low Line presents an exciting new opportunity for Lambeth to create a vibrant tapestry that weaves together connectivity, culture, enterprise, community, and character. This collective vision for the area is a commitment that, together with our partners and stakeholders, we will shape a corridor that is sustainable, more prosperous and fit for the future.”
We are now looking forward to the delivery phase, developing project plans, establishing and strengthening partnerships, and working hard to bring this ambitious vision to life.
Realising the Low Line vision will provide a continuous thread along the route with a clear identity, celebrating neighbourhoods and connecting communities, supporting a vibrant local economic network, providing green links and spaces, and contributing to our Net Zero ambitions.
Read – Extending the Low Line: A Vision for Activation and Delivery.
© London West (powered by ukpropertyforums.com).
Sign up to receive our weekly free journal, The Forum here.
