News Articles Archive - Page 2 of 163 - Cross River Partnership

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

The heatwave that swept across London was a reminder that hotter summers are becoming part of everyday life. For CRP partners, this matters because extreme heat affects many of the issues we work on every day, from public health and local economies to transport, public spaces and community wellbeing. During London Climate Action Week, we attended the Smart Cities World Summit which included two sessions: Adapting to Heat as the New UK Norm and Community-Centred Resilience: Protecting Vulnerable Populations. The key takeaway was that many of the measures needed to help London adapt are already familiar: greener streets, better public spaces, more shade and neighbourhoods designed around people’s everyday needs.

The discussions coincided with the launch of Heat Ready London, the Mayor’s first city-wide vision for adapting to rising temperatures. Developed in response to growing heat risks across the capital, the plan calls for action across the built environment, health and care, infrastructure, green space, emergency planning and the economy. It also highlights the importance of partnership working, recognising that no single organisation can tackle the challenge alone.

For CRP stakeholders, much of this agenda will feel familiar. Heat Ready London identifies measures such as increasing urban greening, expanding access to shade and cooling spaces, improving public realm design and supporting more resilient local communities. These ambitions align closely with work already being delivered by CRP and its partners through programmes that improve walking and cycling environments, support greener streets, enhance public spaces and encourage healthier travel choices.

Perhaps the most encouraging message from both the summit and Heat Ready London is that adapting to a warmer climate does not require an entirely new playbook. Projects that improve walking and cycling routes, increase greenery, create more welcoming public spaces and support healthier local environments can also help communities cope with hotter weather. As London prepares for warmer summers, continued collaboration between boroughs, businesses, community organisations and other stakeholders will be essential to creating places that are not only fairer, greener and safer, but also better prepared for the future.

Explore the full Heat Ready London plan here: Heat Ready London | London City Hall

One of the standout discussions at London Climate Action Week was Advancing Climate Action Through Strategic Urban Transformation, hosted by Arup and C40 Cities. The session highlighted Madrid’s innovative Sueña Madrid initiative, which is helping to shape the city’s long-term future through collective visioning, collaboration and citizen-led planning.

Rather than relying solely on traditional top-down planning, Madrid has placed residents, stakeholders and local government at the heart of developing its new Municipal Strategic Plan. Through workshops, community engagement activities and a city-wide participation process, the initiative has encouraged people to imagine the future they want to see, embracing the idea of “dreaming together with society”.

The approach responds to a growing recognition that conventional planning frameworks can struggle to address the complex and rapidly changing challenges facing cities. Instead, Sueña Madrid promotes a more adaptive and flexible model, bringing together housing, infrastructure, sustainability, health and mobility within a single, integrated vision.

The session also explored how digital tools can support better decision-making. Madrid is developing a strategic city simulator that uses urban data and predictive modelling to test future scenarios and help guide investment and policy decisions.

For CRP, the discussion reinforced the value of partnership working, co-design and long-term thinking in creating healthier, more resilient places. The themes strongly aligned with CRP’s work across sustainable transport, urban greening, placemaking and climate resilience, demonstrating how collaborative approaches can help cities respond effectively to environmental and social challenges.

To learn more about Madrid’s Strategic Plan, visit the Sueña Madrid Municipal Strategic Plan – Municipal Strategic Plan – Sueña Madrid

Find out more about CRP’s projects – Projects – Cross River Partnership

Archives: News Articles

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

Towards a Heat-Resilient London

Rethinking City Planning Through Collective Visioning