News Articles Archive - Page 3 of 158 - Cross River Partnership

Cross River Partnership is proud to share details of the Grow London Local (GLL) Programme, an initiative by London & Partners designed to strengthen local businesses and provide BIDs and local authorities with resources to foster growth and resilience in their communities.

Grow London Local is a powerful resource hub for London’s business community, offering practical tools, networking, and expert guidance to help businesses to start and grow.

Businesses can benefit from a wide range of resources, including regular events, training courses, a free Business Success Check, as well as the offer of 1-2-1 consultation sessions with a GLL Business Support Manager.

The programme covers critical business themes, including Digital, Finance, Funding, Growth, International Trade, Leadership, Legal, Manufacturing and Marketing.

CRP have collated this useful document, providing more information on the service as well as how to register as a provider.

Last month CRP’s Senior Programme Manager Fiona Coull attended The London Assembly Transport Committee to discuss the impact of freight in London and opportunities to encourage sustainability within the sector.

Cross River Partnership has delivered several sustainable freight projects involving river, rail and walking freight, as well as digital kerbside management technology and micro consolidation to support low-emission deliveries.

For example, CRP’s award winning Waterloo Freight Hub Trial involved retrofitting an arch in the under croft of Waterloo Station into a logistics hub. The trial proved that sustainable logistics operations can occur safely in station environments with 20,414 parcels delivered via cargo bikes over a 3-month period, shifting freight trips away from vans. You can see CRP’s full vision for the Waterloo Hub here.

Similarly, CRP’s Digital Kerbside Management Trial explored how dynamic use of the kerbside can enable more efficient deliveries by providing reliable, dedicated delivery space for couriers. The trial of 8 Virtual Loading Bays resulted in 636 km of vehicle milage being saved due to less missed deliveries and re-routing. You can see the full impacts of the trial here.

Consequently CRP’s insights and expertise formed a key part of the assembly’s discussion and we look forward to seeing the outcome of the investigation!

If you would like to understand how CRP can support you with innovative decarbonisation projects, email Fiona Coull or visit our website to see our full consultancy offer here.

COP30—the 30th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC—was held in Belém, Pará, Brazil, at the Hangar Convention Centre from 10^th – 21^st November 2025. The conference convened nearly 200 governments, tens of thousands of delegates, and a wide array of civil society, business, Indigenous, and youth representatives.

COP 30 Goal: Accelerate global climate action and keep the 1.5°C target within reach.

Key Outcomes

COP30 delivered a series of practical measures aimed at turning climate pledges into real-world action:

Adaptation Finance: Countries agreed to triple funding by 2035—about US$120 billion annually toward a US$300 billion goal.
Global Goal on Adaptation: 59 new indicators adopted to track progress.
Nature Protection: Launch of Tropical Forests Forever Facility with US$6.7 billion pledged, aiming for US$125 billion.
Just Transition: New mechanism to support workers and vulnerable communities.
Other Milestones:
- Global Implementation Accelerator
- Belém Mission to 1.5°C
- First formal dialogue on trade and climate
Inclusivity: Indigenous Peoples gained unprecedented recognition.

What This Means for CRP
Expect stronger emphasis on adaptation projects, equitable transitions, and nature-based solutions—all core to CRP’s mission. 2026 will be about turning these frameworks into real-world impact, and CRP is ready to play its’ part through collaborative project delivery

Decarboniation & Sustainability
Placemaking & Greening
Strategy Planning & Engagement
Monitoring & Data Analysis
Partnership & Stakeholder Coordination

Find out more about CRP’s projects and consultancy services: https://crossriverpartnership.org/projects/crp-consultancy-services/

Do you live or work in London? We want to hear your views on road safety and health risks in the city.

The Just Streets consortium is conducting a short Road Safety and Health Perception survey to understand how Londoners experience their streets.

The survey is anonymous, confidential and for research only. You can answer as a driver, cyclist or pedestrian – and repeat from another perspective if you wish.

⏱️ It only takes about 5 minutes, and your voice matters.
👉 https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/pt1UFTGTD7 or scan:

Your feedback will help inform future improvements and contribute to important research on making urban spaces safer and healthier for everyone.

Please share this survey with friends, colleagues, and local groups. The more responses we receive, the stronger the impact we can make together.

After nine years, CRP has closed clickcollect.london, our website that encouraged Londoners to use local collection services for online shopping. The decision reflects how far the city has come: Click & Collect is now a normal part of shopping habits, making it easier for people to choose a more sustainable way to receive deliveries.

When we launched Click & Collect as part of our award-winning Clean Air Better Business programme funded by the Mayor of London’s Air Quality Fund, the goal was simple: reduce unnecessary van trips caused by missed home deliveries, which contribute to congestion and poor air quality. By normalising this convenient and environmentally friendly way to receive parcels, we’ve helped make sustainable delivery the new standard.

Today, Click & Collect is part of everyday life. Retailers and consumers alike have embraced it, meaning there’s no longer a need to actively promote the service. This is a win for cleaner air, fewer emissions, and a more efficient city.

And CRP’s work doesn’t stop here. Through projects like Smarter Greener Logistics and our current award-winning Waterloo Logistics Hub, we’re helping businesses adopt zero-emission vehicles, cargo bikes, and smarter delivery solutions. Together, these efforts keep London moving toward a healthier, greener future

After a very long lead-in, the Autumn Budget-2025 finally happened on 26^th November 2025.

According to the Financial Times’ Chris Giles:

The government is working to achieve economic stability
The rapidly ageing population is presenting huge challenges
The current budget deficit will be higher every year up to 2029-30
It is hard to improve public services while also addressing this

There is still the need to get confidence back, from people and businesses, to move into a virtuous circle of progress.

CRP will continue to work with its public, private and community partners to move towards green and sustainable growth, within the parameters set by the Autumn Budget.

We are delighted to announce CRP and its’ partners have been awarded the CiTTi Last Mile Logistics Award in recognition of the innovative and sustainable Waterloo Freight Hub Trial.

The project involved cross-sector collaboration led by CRP, alongside Network Rail, the London Borough of Lambeth, the Department for Transport, London and Continental Railways, Delivery Mates, Steer, Intermodality and Waterloo Station. Funding for the development of the project has come from Defra, through CRP’s Air Quality Funded programme, Smarter Greener Logistics, and, Impact on Urban Health.

The Waterloo Freight Hub Phase 1 Trial took place from March – July 2025 in an arch in Waterloo Station’s undercroft. The trial saw huge benefits, including:

Over 20,000 parcels delivered
Over 4,600 km travelled by cargo bikes
Over 2,500 kg of CO2 Emissions Saved

CRP is proud that these significant environmental, economic and social benefits have been recognised by the CiTTi Awards. This Phase 1 trial will serve as a proof of concept to scale and adapt the hub to meet future ecommerce demand and change how goods are moved across Britain.

The long-term vision for the project is to develop a much larger, multi-operator, and multi-modal sustainable freight hub, operating middle mile deliveries into Waterloo Station by rail, road and river, and outbound deliveries by low emission vehicles such as electrically-assisted cargo bikes.

For more information on the Waterloo Freight Hub, please email Ross Phillips on rossphillips@crossriverpartnership.org

The Mayor of London and London Councils have launched a £147.2 million Inclusive Talent Strategy to address skills shortages and unlock the capital’s diverse talent.

The strategy aims to support 150,000 Londoners into good jobs by aligning training with employer needs and focusing on inclusive growth. It prioritises those facing barriers to employment, including disabled people, ethnic minorities, and older workers. Key initiatives include new Sector Talent Boards, expanded Skills Bootcamps, and better integration of employment and health services. The strategy also supports emerging sectors such as AI, green industries, and creative tech, ensuring Londoners are equipped for the future economy.

Developed in partnership with employers, training providers, and local authorities, the strategy is a core part of the London Growth Plan. It reflects a city-wide commitment to building a fairer, more resilient labour market that benefits all communities and drives long-term economic prosperity.

Find out more: London leaders launch Inclusive Talent Strategy to kickstart a skills revolution and support more Londoners into work | London City Hall

Thousands of London pupils will soon enjoy fresher air in their classrooms, thanks to a new £2.7 million project from the Mayor of London. The scheme will bring special air filters to at least 200 schools across the city, helping protect children from harmful pollution.

Air pollution can affect children’s lungs, health, and even how well they learn. Research from City Hall found that classrooms using these filters had up to 68% less pollution than those without – meaning pupils and teachers will be breathing much cleaner air every day.

The filters will be rolled out first in schools in areas with the poorest air quality. They’re energy efficient and come with classroom activities to help pupils understand why clean air matters. Cleaner air doesn’t just mean healthier lungs; it can also mean better attendance and improved focus in lessons.

This project is part of a wider effort to make London a greener, healthier city for everyone. Read more about the Mayor’s announcement here.

As the festive season approaches in London, it’s the perfect time to reflect on some of our partners Christmas events.

Here are just a few of the exciting activities on offer!

Harley Street BID Christmas Advent Calendar

This online Advent Calendar is running from the 1st to the 24th of December 2025 and offers daily luxury prizes donated by local businesses. Why not enter?

Team London Bridge Christmas Lantern Parade

On the 4th of December join local primary schools and the London Bridge community for a magical evening of festive singing and a beautiful lantern parade along the Thames. The parade will begin at Potters Fields Park with school choir performances and then lead a procession along the river!

The Iconic Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree Returns!

Once again, the City of Oslo is sending a Christmas tree to London in gratitude for Britain’s support for Norway during the Second World War. The tree will be on display from the 4th of December to the 5th of January!

Christmas in London is an amazing time of year so be sure to enjoy the season and explore the fantastic events hosted by our partners across the city. Make sure to watch our socials as we share more exciting events!

Archives: News Articles

Grow London Local: Empowering London’s Business Growth

CRP Advises the London Assembly Transport Committee

COP30: What Happened and Why it Matters

Help Shape Safer, Healthier Streets in London

Click & Collect: From Trial to Transformation

Autumn Budget Update

CRP Wins CiTTi Award for Innovative Waterloo Freight Hub Trial

Mayor of London Launches Inclusive Talent Strategy

Cleaner Classrooms, Healthier Futures: £2.7 Million Boost to Improve Air Quality in London Schools

Celebrating the Season: CRP Partners Christmas Events