News Articles Archive - Cross River Partnership

The Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) have launched a new Walking and Wheeling Action Plan, setting out changes to how London’s streets are designed and used. With commitments including 1,000 new pedestrian crossings, expanded School Streets and neighbourhood-level improvements, the Plan aims to make walking a more convenient everyday choice, while supporting public health and local high streets.

For CRP and our partners, this creates clear opportunities. Many of the challenges it highlights, such as unsafe crossings, poor pavements and traffic-heavy streets, are ones we are already tackling through projects like Healthy Streets Everyday II and Just Streets. The Plan should make it easier to deliver this kind of work at scale through borough programmes and local partnerships.

In practical terms, this could mean more support for high street improvements, safer routes to public transport, and neighbourhood changes that make walking easier and more appealing. CRP will continue working with partners to turn these opportunities into local projects and delivery.

With London Climate Action Week underway, there’s a wide range of events taking place, offering something for everyone interested in driving forward climate action. From community-led initiatives to sector-focused discussions, it’s a great opportunity to learn, connect, and get involved.

London Climate Action Week harnesses the power of London for both global and local climate action, providing an open and inclusive platform for collaboration. As one of the world’s largest independent climate events, it brings together thousands of people across hundreds of events each June showcasing climate action happening visibly across an entire global city. It is also a key moment in the global climate calendar, where the international climate community comes together to build momentum, share learning, and drive progress between COP summits.

Events are being held from Saturday 20th to Sunday 28th June! Check out some of the events below:

Sustainability Walking Tour (Morning Tour or Afternoon Tour)
Explore sustainable initiatives across the city through guided walking tours

Port Electrification UK
Discover the latest developments in port infrastructure and electrification

Earthfest: The Future of Transport & Energy
Engage with discussions and exhibitions on the future of clean transport and energy systems

Sort It Out! The Great Recycling Challenge
Get involved in practical action and awareness around recycling and waste reduction

There are many more events taking place across London, whether you’re interested in policy, innovation, community action, or simply learning more, now is the perfect time to get involved and be part of the conversation.

Explore the full programme here: Events – London Climate Action Week

New designs for the transformation of Fleet Street have been unveiled, marking a significant step towards creating a greener, healthier and more people-focused corridor in the heart of central London.

Led by the City of London Corporation and supported by Fleet Street Quarter BID, the proposals align closely with wider ambitions to prioritise walking, wheeling and cycling, while improving air quality, safety and the overall experience of the public realm. As the area prepares for a substantial increase in footfall driven by major developments, this transformation aims to ensure Fleet Street can support a more sustainable and inclusive future.

Two design options are currently open for consultation, both focused on rebalancing space away from vehicles towards people. This includes wider pavements, improved cycling infrastructure, and the introduction of greenery and seating to encourage dwell time and support local businesses. One option goes further, reimagining Fleet Street as a destination in its own right, with greater emphasis on place-making and reduced through traffic.

CRP continues to champion initiatives like this that bring partners together to make London’s streets safer, cleaner and better suited to the evolving needs of businesses, residents and visitors.

Have your say and help shape the future of Fleet Street – https://transformingfleetstreet.commonplace.is/

London Climate Action Week (LCAW) returns from 20th to 28th June 2026, focusing on key impact goals like accelerating an inclusive, net-zero transition and expanding the range of people involved in the climate debate.

This collaborative, cross-sector approach is exactly where CRP thrives. Having spent over three decades working alongside public, private, academic, and community organisations to deliver green growth, we bring a wealth of experience to helping our partners shape places designed for our future.

Through CRP’s project work and consultancy services, we turn LCAW’s goals into reality. Our expertise in decarbonisation and sustainability allows us to deliver innovative carbon-reduction strategies, like supporting Westminster City Council’s Sustainable City Charter Innovation Challenge to trial SME-led green solutions. Meanwhile, our placemaking and greening work supports safer, inclusive public spaces through projects like Healthy Streets Everyday II and the Horizon-Europe funded JUST STREETS programme. Another key example of our pioneering projects is the award-winning Waterloo Freight Hub.

Achieving a resilient, net-zero London requires collective action. Get in touch with us to find out how our consultancy and technical expertise can help your organisation deliver meaningful environmental impact!

In June, CRP welcomed Healthy Streets Everyday II partners to St John’s Street in the London Borough of Islington for a Steering Group meeting and site visit.

The visit showcased a transformed streetscape, with improved cycling conditions, more space for walking, wheeling and scooting, and enhanced greenery to support biodiversity. Partners experienced first-hand the greening, sustainable urban drainage and public realm improvements delivered by the London Borough of Islington, Central District Alliance (CDA) and collaborators. Mediterranean-style planting has been introduced to better withstand rising temperatures linked to climate change.

Central District Alliance has played a key role in engaging local businesses, helping maximise both environmental and economic benefits, setting the stage for a vibrant summer of al fresco dining.

These interventions have created a greener, safer and more welcoming street for all.

CRP extends thanks to all partners for their continued collaboration, and to the Mayor of London for funding the scheme through Round 4 of the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund.

For more information on our Healthy Streets Everyday II programme, please contact CRP’s Senior Development Manager rossphillips@crossriverpartnership.org

CRP is excited to announce Fiona Coull as its Interim Director. Fiona will lead CRP until the Autumn time, when the competitively recruited external Director will take up the position.

Fiona has already been managing large delivery programmes and overseeing finances for CRP for 6 years, so is extremely well-placed to lead the partnership over this transition period.

In the words of Fiona: “I’m looking forward to building on the excellent work already underway at CRP. With the support of our fantastic team, I’m excited to continue driving forward our priorities over the coming months.”

Outgoing CRP Director Susannah Wilks said: “Fiona brings a wealth of experience, skills, expertise and knowledge to the table. CRP partners, funders and agencies will receive a completely seamless service from CRP under her leadership.”

For any queries, please contact CRP Interim Director Fiona Coull

Earlier this month CRP was pleased to bring partners together for a dedicated event to experience the Lightning Clipper – a fully electric freight vessel developed by Thames Clippers.

Despite the challenging weather, it was fantastic to see partners engaging directly with the vessel, including a behind-the-scenes look at its control centre. The event highlighted the value of collaboration, and the important role partnerships will continue to play in shaping the future of sustainable logistics in London.

Events like this form a key part of CRP’s approach: convening partners to explore new, practical solutions that support a more efficient, resilient and sustainable London. As demand for goods continues to grow, there is an increasing need to diversify how freight moves across the capital. The River Thames presents a unique strategic asset, offering a congestion-free corridor capable of supporting greater modal shift, reducing reliance on road-based deliveries, and contributing to wider air quality, freight and decarbonisation goals.

Additionally, the Lightning Clipper provides a strong example of how innovation is helping to unlock this potential. By combining river transport with low-emission technology, it demonstrates how freight operations can be both sustainable and commercially viable, while supporting the wider transition to cleaner supply chains.

For any queries, please contact CRP Interim Director Fiona Coull

London Rivers Week will take place between Saturday 23rd May and Sunday 31st May 2026 and is a week-long annual campaign inspiring the public to celebrate all of London’s rivers and the many projects taking place to protect them. The theme for 2026 is ‘Know Your Local River’ and aims to encourage Londoners to identify, explore and connect with their nearest river.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of London Rivers Week – a decade of celebrating, protecting and improving London’s incredible network of rivers and waterways

There are a range of exciting events taking place across the week including:

Guided walks

Public art

Community workshops

Educational events

Find out more information here: https://www.thames21.org.uk/joinacampaign/london-rivers-week-2026/

 The event is organised by the London Rivers Week Steering Group on behalf of River Partnerships in London (RiPL), including the Environment Agency, Thames21, South East Rivers Trust, London Wildlife Trust, ZSL, CPRE London, and the Thames Estuary Partnership. 

Through our partnership-led approach, CRP has delivered a range of projects connected to the Thames, including retrofitting for London’s first fully electric workboat and the London Light Freight River Trial.

Contact CRP Senior Programme Manager Fiona Coull to find out more about CRP’s work on the Thames.

We’re really pleased to share the news that the South Bank & Waterloo Sustains Us Delivery Plan 2026-2030 has officially launched, marking an exciting new chapter for the South Bank and Waterloo area.

This plan serves as a practical roadmap for creating a fairer and greener neighbourhood over the next four years. It’s fantastic to see that the goals are based directly on local feedback gathered at the Shaping our Future event and the Wonderful Waterloo and South Bank Fun Day. It’s a great example of how community insights can shape a long-term vision.

We are thrilled to see our work featured as a case study, specifically the CRP Waterloo Freight Hub as well as the improvements at Hercules Road, delivered through our Healthy Streets Everyday II (HSEII) programme. These projects show exactly how sustainable freight and improved public spaces contribute to the plan’s wider goals.

The plan breaks down the Sustains Us vision into clear actions across four main programme goals. It highlights projects already on the ground and sets out specific priorities through to 2030. By acting as a shared resource for residents, businesses, and partners, the plan makes it much easier for everyone to stay coordinated and work together.

You can read the full plan and see the CRP case study (pages 16-18) here: Sustains Us Delivery Plan 2026 – 2030.

The Port of London Authority has launched this year’s Thames Environment Fund with a great range of opportunities to support environmental work along the tidal Thames.

There are three funding routes this year:

£100k to support environmental improvement programmes that can make a strategic difference to the tidal Thames.

£50k to empower community groups making a difference to their local environment.

£25k for groups dedicated to caring for tributaries of the tidal Thames.

The deadline is Tuesday 30 June, so there is still time to explore the opportunities and apply! You can find full details on the PLA website (Thames Environment Fund) or get in touch with them directly at environment@pla.co.uk.

Archives: News Articles

A Step Forward for Walking in London

Join the Conversation: London Climate Action Week Events

New Designs Unveiled for a Greener, Safer Fleet Street

Celebrating London Climate Action Week 2026

On Site at St John Street: Healthy Streets Everyday II Partners

CRP Announces New Interim Director Fiona Coull

CRP Champions Sustainable River Freight Innovation with Partners

Celebrating 10 Years of London Rivers Week

South Bank & Waterloo Sustains Us Delivery Plan 2026-2030

The Port of London Authority’s Environment Fund is Open for Applications