Southwark Council is giving Camberwell Green a facelift in order to breathe life back into the ancient common land as part of Camberwell’s estimated 11m regeneration project and with work well ahead of schedule, the green is set to reopen very soon.
Since 2013, contractors have been given the task of revamping the green in a bid to make Camberwell a more inviting place to live, work and relax. By introducing 30 new trees, reopening toilets, tarmacking gravel paths and restoring the Green’s original gate posts, Southwark Council is slowly returning Camberwell Green to its former glory.
Along with the Green’s existing features, contractors have also introduced a contemporary market place and a brand new play area for children, which features swings, trampolines and a wooden playhouse.
When asked about the Green’s regeneration one business owner said, “it will improve the area’s appearance no end”, whilst squatters occupying the local care home claimed that, “once finished, the Green will again be the heart of the community”.
Yet not everyone is on board with the Green’s transformation as one resident explained how, “the work ha[d] been extremely disruptive”. Whilst another said that he would “rather the council focused on installing a new sewerage system with the smell around [Camberwell] being awful the majority of the time.”
The transformation of the unkempt green that was once a hub of crime is now well on its way to completion as one contractor said, “work should be finished within the next four months, maybe even sooner as we are well ahead of schedule”.
In recent years, Camberwell has also seen the introduction of a new state-of-the-art library and improvement of its highway system – which local residents are delighted with.
Camberwell’s next step according to local MP Harriet Harman is to improve transport links, in 2014 she said, “Fundamental to the regeneration of… [Camberwell]…London is having a new efficient transport system through the area and across the river to major transport hubs in the north of the city”. Since Harmen’s statement, talks to incorporate Camberwell into London’s underground network have taken place.
With so much revision occurring, one can assume that over the next few years Camberwell will become a valued asset to London.
For more information regarding Camberwell’s regeneration visit:
https://www.southwark.gov.uk/camberwellregen
