Introduction

Jamaica Road is one of the most gridlocked roads anywhere in Britain. The overriding priority for residents, local businesses and road users – pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and bus users – is to cut congestion.

Responses to Transport for London’s plans for the CS4 route between Tower Bridge and Greenwich have been published. The most difficult aspect of the plans remains Jamaica Road, which lies in the middle of the proposed cycle superhighway route. The road is frequently gridlocked, is difficult to cross and has some of the worst air pollution in the capital. Congestion rose by 19% last year alone.

The leader of Labour-led Southwark council has conceded his administration’s record on empty homes was ‘unsatisfactory’, admitting that they ‘haven’t managed it properly’. At the previous Council Assembly, the Liberal Democrat councillor Ben Johnson asked the leader about newly released figures. They show that six thousand homes in Southwark are currently empty – much more than any other borough in London and more than neighbouring Lewisham, Lambeth and Tower Hamlets put together.

The Liberal Democrat opposition on Southwark Council have produced an alternative budget which enables the a 3% increase in spending, but delivered through efficiency savings rather than the council tax increase.

Transport for London have announced they will now consider building a station at Bricklayers’ Arms, as part of the project to extend the Bakerloo Line. While other stations, such as between New Cross Gate and Lewisham, were definitely ruled out, Bricklayers’ Arms was explicitly highlighted as a seriously considered option.

A group of local activists are campaigning for a youth club to be created in south Bermondsey. The Blue Youth Club was closed a few years ago, with many residents saying it left young people in the area with little to do.

Gareth Bell, Kirsty Grove and Andrew Tipler met with the leaders of youth services in neighbouring areas, such as the Salmon Youth Centre and the BEDE Centre, who offered help, advice and volunteers. Their ambition is to get a new youth centre built in the Blue, ideally in a larger space and better facilities than the Blue Youth Club had when it was closed.

Southwark Liberal Democrats are calling on the Mayor of London to take urgent action to stop the RV1 bus service being cut in half.

Labour-run Southwark Council have announced they will increase council tax by 3% this year. This is the second year in a row they have done so. This is the maximum amount they are legally allowed to increase council tax, without triggering a local referendum. These increases are larger than inflation and average pay rises and will therefore mean Southwark residents will be poorer year-on-year.

Southwark Council’s Planning Committee met on Tuesday night to vote again on the proposals for demolishing and redeveloping the Elephant & Castle shopping centre. The Committee voted to defer the decision to a later date.

The case for building a tube station at the Bricklayers’ Arms as part of the Bakerloo Line extension is being considered by the Mayor of London, with a response to the ongoing consultation promised early this year. Local groups have this week presented the Mayor with a letter making the case for the station, which was also signed by both Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors from Southwark. The proposals enjoy cross-party support, with only the local MP Neil Coyle voicing opposition to the plans.