News Articles Archive - Cross River Partnership

Westminster City Council has launched a new pilot to tackle air pollution from restaurant kitchens. The latter is a major but often overlooked source of PM2.5 emissions in London. Commercial kitchens are estimated to produce 59% of London’s PM2.5 emissions, from both fuel use and cooking methods like frying and grilling. The council is an official supporter of the Global Cooksafe Coalition. 

Five local restaurants are testing an air purification system and air quality monitors to better understand pollution levels and how to reduce them. This project is free of charge for participating businesses.

Cllr Geoff Barraclough, Westminster City Council Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development said: “What we learn from this pilot could help us shape future policies and ensure cleaner air for all those who live, work and visit the city.”

Head Chef at Apricity, Eve Seemann, added: “It’s important research in terms of health for myself and the staff, as well as anyone visiting Mayfair and central London.”

The three-month trial aims to raise awareness and explore practical ways to reduce kitchen-based pollution.

Read the full article here.

Last weekend, 9- to 12-year-olds and their adults gathered at Camden Collective for “Tracking the Heritage: Family Trail,” an interactive event that combined history, creativity, and exploration. Led by Camden Highline and Urban Learners as part of the London Festival of Architecture, the trail is supported by CRP through our Horizon Europe-funded Just Streets project, aiming to promote active travel in Camden Town.

The pleasant weather made the newly installed panels on the Collective’s fence showcasing Camden’s heritage look vibrant in the sunlight. Participants learned about Camden Town’s history through old photographs and explored the concept of heritage in both the built environment and their own families. The group then visited The Roving Bridge to observe the canal’s locks, Eggcup House, and Camden Gardens to discuss the planned Highline before returning to Camden Collective to conclude the day.

Engagement and co-creation are central to Just Streets, and it’s encouraging to see Camden Town Unlimited helping young people feel invested in their community and the future of urban development.

Natural England has marked the second anniversary of its Green Infrastructure (GI) Framework with a refreshed website, inspiring success stories, and ambitious plans for the future.

Natural England highlight how integrating nature into planning and design can create healthier, more resilient communities. They remain committed to working with partners to embed green infrastructure at the heart of development – delivering benefits for both people and the environment.

Key achievements over the past two years, which Natural England have also highlighted on their blog, include:

Two GI Standards now incorporated into the updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

A GI Framework case study showcased at the G7 meeting in Rome

Local authorities like Nottingham and Portsmouth embedding GI principles into their strategic plans and local policies following targeted training

Natural England also spotlights CRP’s greening work in Marylebone, where rain gardens, trees and planting are helping to create healthier, low-emission streets.

A major update to the GI website has also been launched, offering improved navigation, a quick start guide, and clearer access to resources tailored to different user needs. Feedback from users helped shape the site, and Natural England continues to welcome suggestions for future improvements.

Looking ahead, GI Mapping Version 2.2 is on track for phased release in 2025/26, with new features including Naturalness Maps, updated greenspace and habitat data, and insights from the People and Nature Survey.

The Nature Towns and Cities accreditation scheme is also now open, helping places across England to recognise and enhance their commitments to nature-first urban design.

🔗 Explore the new GI Framework website and learn more here!

CRP is very pleased to have submitted a First of a Kind funding bid to Innovate UK with partner Varamis Rail. The bid will provide a legacy phase for the Defra-funded Waterloo Freight Hub that we are already operating with Delivery Mates as part of our Smarter Greener Logistics programme.

Varamis will run parcel electric freight trains directly into Waterloo Station from the Midlands, following the application of third rail shoe gear to their rolling stock. This will enable much more freight to be moved off the roads, meaning less congestion, pollution and noise for all of us.

Keep your fingers crossed for a positive result for us!

In a recent interview with The Guardian, André Corrêa do Lago, president of the upcoming UN climate summit COP30, highlighted a new challenge in the fight against climate change: “economic denial.” This term refers to the growing scepticism about the feasibility and benefits of transitioning to a low-carbon economy, even as the scientific consensus on climate change remains strong.

Corrêa do Lago emphasized that, unlike traditional climate denial which disputes scientific findings, economic denial undermines the implementation of climate policies by questioning their economic viability.

To counter this trend, Corrêa do Lago called for economists and policymakers to demonstrate that climate action can drive economic growth and societal benefits. He stressed the importance of integrating climate considerations into economic planning and decision-making processes.

As Brazil prepares to host COP30 in Belém in November 2025, Corrêa do Lago underscored the urgency of collective action and the need to move beyond negotiations to tangible implementation of climate commitments.

Read the full article here.

Did you know that the Cross River Partnership (CRP) was originally established to deliver the Millennium and Hungerford Footbridges across the River Thames?

Although the idea of expanding central London south of the Thames emerged as early as the 1940s, the necessary conditions, such as available space and political support, did not come together until the early to mid-1990s. This shift was largely driven by increasing demand for commercial space in central London, particularly on the north side of the river, which had become heavily constrained. The formation of CRP in 1995 was a deliberate step towards enabling that expansion and supporting the continued prosperity of central London.

CRP’s early work included:

Delivery of the Millennium footbridge and the two Hungerford footbridges.

Completion of the continuous riverside walk along the south side of the river.

Upgrading use of the railway arches and public spaces associated with the railway viaduct running along the south side of the river.

Improving the quality of public realm, streets, squares, parks, open spaces, river piers, especially those associated with Tate Modern and Globe Theatre.

Remodelling of the Royal Festival Hall and Vauxhall Cross public transport interchange.

Transformation of the Borough Market from wholesale to retail.

The Millennium Bridge emerged as a powerful symbol of this newly expanded central London and its connection to the historic core.

We join City Bridge Foundation, the charity responsible for maintaining the Millennium Bridge, in celebrating 25 years of this iconic and influential London landmark.

CRP are delighted to be supporting our partner Better Bankside to deliver the Southwark Climate Collective 2025-2026 programme.

The Southwark Climate Collective (SCC) was launched in 2023 to provide targeted sustainability and de-carbonisation support to Southwark SMEs. The SCC programme has equipped more than 140 Southwark SMEs with the tools, skills and technical support to cut their emissions.

Better Bankside recently secured additional funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to continue the SCC into 2025-26 and build on the success of the programme through bespoke decarbonisation training and targeted business support.

CRP Project Manager Katherine Fairfax will be providing expert project management support to Better Bankside over the summer, to help get the SCC 25-26 programme up and running and continue to deliver tailored decarbonisation support for Southwark SMEs.

Could your organisation benefit from project management support? Get in touch with CRP’s Senior Programme Manager Fiona Coull to find out more.

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of CRP’s Care For Air Campaign, delivered as part of our Mayor of London funded Healthy Streets Everyday II programme!

CRP’s Care For Air Campaign is now live and running right through to Global Action Plan’s Clean Air Day happening on Thursday 19th June!

This campaign emphasises the link between transport, air quality and health, and advises on simple, smart actions people can achieve to help to reduce road transport emissions.

Air pollution is now recognised as the single biggest environmental threat to human health according to World Health Organisation, which is why it’s so important to get informed and #CareForAir.

So follow our LinkedIn channels, and look our for our 5 simple actions you can take to improve your local air quality and contribute to cleaner air for everyone!

CRP is excited to announce the publication of 2 Pier Information Sheets as part of our Defra funded Smarter Greener Logistics Programme – one for Bankside Pier, and the other for Battersea Power Station Pier!

The information sheets will support operators / businesses to consider river freight operations to Bankside Pier & Battersea Power Station Pier by providing information on:

Landside Access

Vessel considerations

Potential Consolidation Opportunities

Last Mile Route Planning

Local low emission couriers

Local Logistics Hubs

Wider Stakeholders

Next Steps

They support our work with the Port of London Authority to promote the use of The Thames for freight, and are part of a wider suite of Central London Pier Information Sheets, aimed at offering a more sustainable option than delivering by road.

Keep an eye out as the next 3 will be published soon!

For further information, please contact CRP Senior Programme Manager, Fiona Coull.

On May 3rd, London Borough of Camden began an 18-month trial to make part of Camden High Street open only to pedestrians. The trial pedestrianisation aims to create safer and healthier public places for residents, businesses, and visitors, as well as create the opportunity to expand cultural activities into the street, bringing together Camden’s diverse communities.

This means cars will not be allowed from Camden Town Underground Station to the intersection with Jamestown Road and Hawley Crescent, which is less than 215 meters away. Traffic has been redirected along Kentish Town Road.

Simon Pitkeathley, Lord Pitkeathley of Camden Town and CEO of Camden Town Unlimited and Euston Town BIDs (and (CRP Board Co-Chair!), highlighted the benefits of this project. He said, “By creating a more walkable and welcoming area, pedestrianisation will make the customer experience better, increase foot traffic, and lead to a lively high street.” He also mentioned that this trial is important not only for improving the experience in Camden Town but also for enhancing air quality, public safety, making the neighbourhood more sustainable.

Last November, CRP’s European partners from the Horizon EU-funded Just Streets programme came to London to see our proposed changes. They looked at the planned street closure and the complementary scheme that we will implement with the BID. The scheme aims to encourage more walking and cycling in the area by creating a “Heritage Walk,” a trail that will educate people about the area’s rich culture and history.

We expect to launch the Walk this summer, enhancing the benefits of pedestrianisation scheme. Our goal is to create a healthier, more vibrant, and accessible environment that is welcoming to everyone.

Archives: News Articles

Westminster Pilots Cleaner Air in Restaurant Kitchens

Just Streets Update – Kids Connect with Camden

Natural England Celebrates GI Framework Milestones

Funding the Waterloo Freight Hub: Our Latest Bid for Support Submitted

A New Climate Change Challenge – Economic Denial

Celebrating 25 Years of the Millennium Bridge

CRP & Better Bankside – Southwark Climate Collective 25-26

CRP Launch Care For Air Campaign

Bankside Pier & Battersea Power Station Pier Information Sheets Now Published!

Trial to Pedestrianise Camden High Street Launches