A Greener London: Sadiq Khan's £12.4 Million Investment to Transform Public Spaces

London is set to undergo a dramatic transformation as Mayor Sadiq Khan unveils an ambitious £12.4 million investment to revitalise the city’s public spaces. This significant financial commitment marks a bold step towards creating a greener, more inclusive, and resilient capital for all Londoners.

The initiative will fund five carefully selected projects in Brent, Redbridge, Hackney, Lewisham, and Croydon, each designed to deliver a tangible improvement to the lives of local residents. From the creation of stunning new parks and green spaces to the regeneration of bustling high streets, these projects aim to foster a sense of community, enhance wellbeing, and address the pressing environmental challenges facing the city.

By placing a strong emphasis on collaboration and community engagement, the Mayor is ensuring that the needs and aspirations of diverse Londoners are at the heart of the initiative. Young people, the elderly, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds will all benefit from these transformative projects, which promise to create spaces where everyone feels welcome and included.

With a focus on sustainability and environmental impact, the investment also represents a significant step towards building a greener London. By increasing green spaces, improving air quality, and promoting biodiversity, the Mayor is demonstrating a clear commitment to creating a healthier and more sustainable city for future generations.

The projects awarded the funding are:

Neasden Town Centre - £3,100,000 

Neasden Town Centre is surrounded by heavily trafficked roads and as a result is the most polluted town centre in London. The London borough of Brent plans to use the funding to invest in green spaces, realign and improve crossings at the eastern road junctions to make it safer and more accessible for pedestrians, and refresh the high street to include a community training kitchen - engaging with young people and the local community.

Ilford Arrival - £3,000,000

The Ilford Arrival will see five interventions to better connect Ilford Town Centre with the Roding Valley. These include a bridge and pocket park to cross the River Roding; a pedestrian and cycling route that connects the area; a detailed design for the Ilford Western Gyratory and Island Garden Junction; the creation of an Urban Room as a space to engage young local people in city making processes; and rewilding the Ilford Golf Course. 

Connecting Hoxton - £3,000,000

Connecting Hoxton will use the funding to improve local services and facilities, green spaces and public realm drawing on an extensive co-design process with local residents, community and cultural organisations and businesses. The project aims to significantly improve East-West connections across Hoxton as well as improving wellbeing, sense of belonging and reducing social isolation for local people.

Room for Rivers, A Place for People - £2,486,000

The funding will support the transformation of the existing Riverdale Sculpture Park by creating a riverside public space that is safe and enjoyable and connected to active travel routes; engaging with groups historically under-represented in shaping the Town Centre; and including tree and shrub planting and drainage solutions that provide an alternative to the direct channelling of surface water through networks of pipes and sewers to nearby watercourses.

North End Quarter Fringes: Amplifying Surrey Street - £814,000

The funding will be used to focus on the regeneration in Croydon Town Centre by working with community partners to bring vacant shops back into use, plant more trees and improve lighting on the high street, create a green wall space and a new food growing garden. The project will prioritise connectivity, safety, heritage preservation and urban greening.

These projects represent a major step towards creating a more vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable London for all.