News Articles Archive - Cross River Partnership

The Mayor of London has published the new Draft London Plan, setting out a vision for how the capital could develop over the next 20 to 25 years. As London’s statutory Spatial Development Strategy, the Plan provides the framework for future development across the city, covering housing, transport, economic growth, infrastructure and the environment. It is intended to guide London’s development through to 2046-47. The key areas covered are:

Making the best use of land

Delivering the homes and neighbourhoods Londoners need

Growing London’s economy in a way that benefits all

Creating a greener, more resilient and healthier city

Place visions and place-based approaches

For CRP and its partners, the focus on creating a greener, more resilient and healthier city is particularly relevant. The draft Plan includes policies to improve energy efficiency, enhance green infrastructure, increase access to green spaces, improve air quality, protect London’s waterways and more.

Many of these priorities align with projects already being delivered across the CRP partnership. With initiatives focused on reducing carbon emissions from sustainable freight projects such as the Waterloo Freight Hub trial, to urban greening through CRP’s Healthy Streets Everyday II programme, CRP works with local authorities, Businesses Improvement Districts (BIDs) and communities to deliver practical, place-based solutions; CRP’s projects contribute to some of the ambitions outlined in the draft Plan.

Read the draft London Plan and explore the proposed policies: Draft London Plan consultation resources | London City Hall

Have your say: the draft London Plan consultation is open until 15th October 2026, giving you the opportunity to help shape London’s future. Find out more and respond to the consultation here: London Plan | GLA Engagement Portal

Image Description: Four indicative renders of a proposed community garden parklet for Bolsover Street. The design includes stepped timber seating, integrated planters with flowering plants and shrubs, accessible seating areas, and space for people to sit and meet outdoors. The parklet is positioned between existing street trees.

CRP partner, Harley Street Business Improvement District (BID), has been recognised as a co-winner of the University of Westminster’s Local Community Partner Award 2026, celebrating its work bringing together students, businesses and the local community. The award recognises a longstanding partnership that has created mentoring, volunteering and networking opportunities for students while strengthening local connections.

Harley Street BID is also a delivery partner in CRP’s Horizon Europe-funded Just Streets project, which aims to create more equitable, inclusive and sustainable streets that work better for people. One example of this collaborative approach is a proposed community parklet on Bolsover Street, outside the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital. Parklets transform small areas of road space into attractive places to sit, rest, meet others and access outdoor space, helping make streets more welcoming and people-focused. The proposed parklet has been designed to benefit hospital patients and visitors who may not be able to walk further afield, while also providing a new space for local workers, residents and the wider community.

The project also demonstrates the value of the BID’s partnership with the University of Westminster. Students helped develop an earlier iteration of the parklet design through a co-design process with local stakeholders, exploring how the space could best support local needs.

Harley Street BID has recently submitted revised parklet plans to Westminster City Council. The BID is inviting people to learn more and share their views at a drop-in session on Thursday 20th August 2-5 pm, in the Pembroke Suite at the Holiday Inn London Regents Park by IHG, Carburton Street, London, W1W 5EE. Questions and feedback are welcome as the proposal continues to develop.

For more information, please email Just Streets’ Project Manager, Sefinat Otaru, or Harley Street BID at contact@harleystreetbid.com.

We are thrilled to celebrate our local authority and Business Improvement District (BID) partners who have been recognised in the Green Flag Awards.

The Green Flag Award is the international benchmark for well-managed, high-quality parks and green spaces. This year, parks across London have been acknowledged for their exceptional environmental standards, community involvement, and commitment to creating accessible, healthy spaces for residents, workers, and visitors.

Among our local authority partners celebrating major wins this year are:

City of London, recognised for managing iconic heritage sites including Bunhill Fields, Hampstead Heath, and Highgate Wood.

Westminster City Council, awarded across central green spaces including Strand Aldwych, Victoria Embankment Gardens, Leicester Square Gardens, and Soho Square.

London Borough of Camden, celebrating wins for treasured local spaces like Waterlow Park and Kilburn Grange Park.

London Borough of Lambeth and London Borough of Southwark, recognised for their ongoing dedication to maintaining high-quality parks and community spaces south of the river.

Our BID partners also play a vital role in enhancing London’s urban landscape, funding local greening, and transforming public realms. Congratulations to Better Bankside, Team London Bridge, We Are Waterloo, and our wider BID network operating across central London whose footprints encompass many of these winning green spaces.

High-quality green infrastructure is essential to London’s climate resilience and wellbeing. Huge congratulations to all the teams, ground crews, and volunteers whose hard work keeps our green spaces thriving!

CRP are pleased to see that the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund will re-open for Round 5 of the fund in late summer / early Autumn this year, with a further £6 million of funding announced to clean up the capital’s toxic air.

The Mayor’s Air Quality Fund has so far distributed £27 million to boroughs through four funding rounds, matched by a further £20 million in funding and in-kind support from London’s boroughs and local partners. Projects delivered so far have ranged from green courier initiatives and infrastructure to support walking and cycling, to schemes reducing emissions from construction machinery and the implementation of Low Emission Neighbourhoods.  

CRP are delighted to have been awarded multiple grants from the first 4 rounds of the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund, delivering projects such as Healthy Streets Everyday I and II (HSE I and II) and Clean Air Thames, helping communities benefit from cleaner air, healthier streets, and more sustainable travel options.

CRP extends thanks to all partners for their continued collaboration, and to the Mayor of London for funding the scheme through previous and current rounds of the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund, including the currently active Healthy Streets Everyday II (HSE II).

If you’d like to know more about CRP’s past MAQF projects or interested to know about Round 5, please contact CRP’s Senior Development Manager Ross Phillips rossphillips@crossriverpartnership.org

Cross River Partnership (CRP) is partnering with the University of Westminster (UoW) to develop the evidence base for a potential Research Excellence Framework 2029 (REF 2029) impact case study demonstrating the real-world impact of the University’s research on inclusive and equitable streets.

Working with Professor Enrica Papa from the University’s School of Architecture and Cities, CRP will draw on its experience of delivering collaborative, evidence-led projects across London, including JUST STREETS. CRP will work with project partners and stakeholders to document how the University’s research has informed street interventions and contributed to changes in policy, professional practice and local delivery.

By bringing together stakeholder testimony, project evidence and learning from delivery partners, the collaboration will help the University assess the reach and significance of these impacts and develop a clear, credible and well-supported REF impact narrative.

CRP’s strong relationships with London boroughs, businesses and delivery organisations will provide valuable practice-based evidence of how research is translated into action. Combining this delivery experience with the University’s academic expertise will help demonstrate how, and to what extent, research-informed street interventions have contributed to healthier, more accessible and more equitable urban environments.

Read about CRP’s work with academic partners here: https://crossriverpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Connecting-Research-and-Practice-CRP-and-Academic-Partners-Case-Study.pdf

For more information, contact CRP Project Manager Katherine Fairfax katherinefairfax@crossriverpartnership.org

Calling all Westminster Businesses!

CRP is developing a report for Westminster City Council on how Micro Logistics Hubs could support more efficient, reliable and low-emission deliveries across the borough.

We want to hear directly from businesses about your delivery and servicing experiences, challenges and priorities. Your feedback will help ensure that future recommendations are practical, locally relevant and designed around the needs of Westminster businesses.

By taking part, you can help shape:

Future delivery and freight solutions in Westminster

Measures to reduce congestion and emissions

More efficient and reliable servicing arrangements

Recommendations that reflect real business needs and experiences

The survey takes just 5 minutes to complete.

Your input will play a valuable role in informing a key report that could influence how goods are moved across Westminster in the years ahead.

Complete the survey here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=FcHYUH-3lUOjujtAfK8NiO_r5vUDPzBHnK_3MePLh5VUNU9DVllJWjY4QUNLWDgxTDNUUkJERUgyRi4u&origin=QRCode

Thank you for helping us create cleaner, smarter and more business-friendly logistics solutions for Westminster.

Cross River Partnership (CRP) was pleased to welcome students from the Tulane University School of Architecture and Built Environment last week for a walking tour exploring innovative placemaking projects across London.

Led by CRP Project Manager Katherine Fairfax and Senior Development Manager Ross Phillips, the visit showcased schemes on St John’s Street and Red Lion Street, both delivered through the Mayor of London-funded Healthy Streets Everyday II (HSE II) programme. The schemes incorporate elements such as diverse planting, accessible pathways and integrated seating to create healthier, more climate-resilient streets, while helping to improve air quality and make active, sustainable travel easier across London.

The visit highlighted how small-scale street interventions can support healthier, greener and more inclusive places, while demonstrating the importance of collaboration between public sector partners, delivery organisations and academic institutions. Engaging with students and universities helps generate fresh thinking on the future of cities, share practical knowledge across sectors, and support the next generation of urban practitioners.

CRP has a strong track record of working with academic partners to translate research into practical solutions across active travel, decarbonisation, climate mitigation and public health. Find out more: https://crossriverpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Connecting-Research-and-Practice-CRP-and-Academic-Partners-Case-Study.pdf

For more information, contact CRP Project Manager Katherine Fairfax katherinefairfax@crossriverpartnership.org

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Tanja Dalle-Muenchmeyer as the new Director of Cross River Partnership (CRP).

Tanja joins CRP in September, bringing extensive experience in sustainability, partnership working and programme delivery. We are especially pleased to welcome her back to CRP, having previously been part of the team between 2015 and 2019.

Since leaving CRP, Tanja has led sustainability initiatives at Guy’s and St Thomas’ and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trusts, developing an impressive track record of delivering projects that create positive environmental and social impact. She brings a strong combination of strategic leadership, fundraising expertise and hands-on delivery experience, alongside extensive knowledge of securing and managing complex funding programmes, including European-funded projects.

Tanja’s appointment comes at an exciting time for CRP as we continue to work with partners across London to deliver innovative solutions that support cleaner, greener and more inclusive places. Her experience, enthusiasm and commitment to collaboration will help build on CRP’s strong foundations and drive the partnership’s future success.

Commenting on her appointment, Tanja said:

“I am delighted to be re-joining Cross River Partnership as its new Director. My time in the NHS since leaving CRP has reinforced my belief that the most complex challenges facing London overall and our partners individually, from extreme heat and air quality to transport, health and economic resilience, can only be addressed through strong partnerships. I am excited to build on CRP’s strong legacy, working with our partners to secure new opportunities and deliver meaningful change.”

Please join us in giving Tanja a warm welcome back to the CRP team! We look forward to introducing her to our partners and stakeholders in the coming months.

CRP partner, the City of London Corporation has now published its third Impact Report, celebrating the positive outcomes delivered through its supply chain, and showcasing how suppliers have supported its communities in 2025-2026. During this time substantial progress has been made in moving away from spend-based reporting towards contract-specific emissions data.

Of the six supply chain commitments to which the City Corporation holds itself accountable, reducing carbon emissions throughout their supply chain remains a key priority. One example highlighting this progress is the participation of six SME suppliers in Heart of the City’s funded SME Net Zero Accelerator, with commitments from two suppliers to collectively save at least 18,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions by 2050, that’s equivalent to 571,428 cups of tea!

“At the City of London Corporation, we believe responsible procurement is not an optional extra, it is fundamental to how we provide excellent services. Every purchasing decision is a chance to generate wider value for society”, comments Deputy Benjamin Murphy, Chair of Projects & Procurement Sub-Committee.

Download the Impact Report 2025 – 2026 here: Responsible Procurement Impact Report 2025-2026

CRP is delighted to see its Local Authority and Business Improvement District (BID) partners successfully secure funding through the Mayor of London’s Summer Streets Fund, supporting projects that will expand al fresco dining and help create more vibrant, welcoming and people-focused high streets across London.

WeAreWaterloo BID and the London Borough of Lambeth secured the maximum award of £100,000 for large al fresco dining at the Lower Marsh Street. Running from July to November 2026, the funding will support a new Saturday road closure, creating space for over 100 additional outdoor seats, alongside public realm improvements such as lighting, bunting and planting, and a series of free outdoor cultural screenings.

The London Borough of Camden was awarded a £10,000 Pocket al fresco grant for improvements at Leather Lane Market, where expanded outdoor dining, Saturday trading and a programme of cultural activities will help enhance the experience for visitors, businesses and the local community.

Congratulations to CRP’s partners on securing this funding! We look forward to seeing these projects bring more opportunities for outdoor dining, community activity and thriving local high streets across London this summer.

Explore London’s 2026 Summer Streets projects here: Summer Streets projects 2026 | London City Hall

Archives: News Articles

Shaping London’s Future: Have Your Say on the Draft London Plan

Harley Street BID Celebrates Award as Parklet Plans Progress

Celebrating Green Flag Award Success Across Our Network

Mayor’s Air Quality Fund Returns for 2026

New Partnership with University of Westminster to Evidence Research Impact

Help Shape the Future of Deliveries in Westminster

Tulane Students Discover London’s Healthy Streets with CRP

CRP Welcomes New Director Tanja Dalle-Muenchmeyer

A Year of Progress: City of London Corporation Publishes Impact Report 2025 – 2026

Summer Streets Success: CRP Partners Awarded Mayor of London Funding