Generic filters
Exact matches only
Sign Up to Our Newsletter

Archives: News Articles

Driving Circular Economy Action in London Bridge

21st April 2026 / Posted by Katherine Fairfax

Cross River Partnership (CRP) is delighted to highlight the inspiring circular economy work being led by our partner Team London Bridge, which is helping local businesses reduce waste and unlock value through collaboration.

As part of their Towards Zero Waste strategy, Team London Bridge is championing a practical, place‑based approach to circularity that focuses on reuse, redistribution and keeping materials in use for longer. An example of this work is a Materials Exchange WhatsApp group which enables businesses to quickly share surplus items with others nearby, supported by platforms such as A Good Thing, OLIO, Plan Zheroes and Too Good To Go. In just nine months, the initiative has delivered impressive results: over 400 items reused by 40 organisations, with more than 70% of offered goods successfully rehomed.

Team London Bridge has also celebrated circular innovation through its Sustainability Awards, showcasing reuse and resource efficiency across sectors including healthcare, retail, construction and transport.

Team London Bridge are now embarking on a place-based circular economy action plan for London Bridge. Found out how to get involved: Turning Trash to Treasure in London Bridge – Team London Bridge

Bridging Sectors to Drive Change Across London

21st April 2026 / Posted by Isidora Rivera Vollmer

At Cross River Partnership (CRP), we believe solving London’s complex environmental challenges requires “unusual” partnerships. By bringing together sectors that rarely share a table, we are unlocking innovative solutions for transport, health, and climate resilience.

An example is our work with Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (GSTT). By analysing e-bike trials for clinicians making home visits, we are bridging transport and healthcare; cutting emissions while improving staff wellbeing. Similarly, our collaboration with the CARICE network at King’s College London ensures our JUST STREETS projects are designed with the resilience of an ageing population in mind.

We also pride ourselves on building ambitious coalitions to tackle emerging risks. For the ‘H3LIOS’ initiative, CRP united UCL, Westminster City Council’s Social Care team, and European partners to design a systemic response to extreme heat in e.g. care homes in London. This collaboration created a vital blueprint for how social care and urban planning can work together to protect vulnerable residents.

Innovation also happens on the kerbside. Our Walking Freight trial saw a groundbreaking collaboration between UPS, Camden Council, the Met Police, and retailer Heal’s, setting a new precedent for sustainable last-mile logistics. From installing rain gardens with John Lewis to the Rubens Hotel living wall via Greening the BIDs, we continue to prove that the best solutions are found by connecting the dots between sectors like health, logistics, and the built environment.

Do you have a project that needs a fresh perspective or an “unusual” partner? We are always looking for new ways to collaborate.

Reach out to the CRP team to explore how we can work together.

Earth Day

21st April 2026 / Posted by Katie Smith

Earth Day: Working Together for a Greener London 

Celebrated worldwide on 22 April, Earth Day is a reminder of the importance of protecting our environment and taking collective action. At Cross River Partnership (CRP), partnership working is central to delivering cleaner, greener and more resilient places across London. 

CRP brings together local authorities, business improvement districts, businesses and communities to tackle shared environmental challenges, from improving air quality and promoting sustainable travel to enhancing green infrastructure and supporting low‑carbon business practices. These projects show how place‑based collaboration can deliver real environmental benefits while supporting thriving urban areas. 

Earth Day also highlights that sustainability is a shared responsibility. Small actions, when taken together, can make a significant difference. CRP is proud to work with partners to make these changes possible and to help London continue its journey towards a greener future. 

CRP Wins Decarbonising Transport Award 2026

21st April 2026 / Posted by Katie Smith

We are delighted to share that Cross River Partnership (CRP) has been awarded the Best Freight & Logistics Decarbonisation Award at the inaugural Decarbonising Transport Awards 2026, hosted by Landor Links.

This recognition celebrates our innovative Waterloo Freight Hub Trial, which has transformed unused space beneath Waterloo Station into a thriving low‑emission logistics hub demonstrating a new model for sustainable urban freight.

The Waterloo Freight Hub Trial has shown that cleaner, smarter freight delivery is not only possible but already making a measurable difference. Key achievements include:

  • 📦 Over 20,000 parcels delivered
  • 🚲 Over 4,600 km travelled by cargo bike
  • 🌱 Over 2,500 kg of CO₂ emissions saved

These outcomes highlight the power of collaboration and innovation in creating greener, healthier cities.

Winning this award strengthens our momentum as we move towards the next phase: developing a Multi‑Modal Waterloo Freight Hub that will deliver even greater environmental, social, and economic benefits for London.

This trial’s success has only been possible thanks to the support and collaboration of Network Rail, the London Borough of Lambeth, the Department for Transport, London and Continental Railways, Delivery Mates, Steer, Intermodality and Waterloo Station.

CRP Featured in Green Fleet: Reinventing Urban Delivery

17th March 2026 / Posted by Katherine Fairfax

CRP is pleased to be featured in Green Fleet magazine, highlighting our practical, real world approach to transforming urban freight. The article Reinventing urban delivery through realworld practice showcases how CRP works with boroughs, BIDs and businesses to deliver cleaner, more efficient freight solutions across London.  

The article spotlights a range of CRP’s freight pilots including the Pimlico Micro Logistics Hub with Westminster City Council. This real world trial demonstrated the value of zero emission deliveries, with e-cargo bikes travelling 22,578 km and helping avoid an estimated 4,186 kg of CO₂; evidence of both operational and environmental benefits.  

We encourage partners to read the full feature and explore how these proven models can support healthier, more sustainable deliveries citywide – GREENFLEET 163 | GREENFLEET  

Freight on the Thames

17th March 2026 / Posted by Ross Phillips

CRP are continuing to champion freight on the Thames and other waterways to support more efficient and sustainable freight.  

The past few months has seen CRP attend the Sustainable Construction Partners Reception at the House of Commons Terrace Pavilion, hosted on behalf of Kevin McKenna MP. This brought together leaders from across the construction, infrastructure, and logistics sectors to discuss the future of UK construction and the vital role ports can play in enabling more efficient and sustainable project delivery. 

CRP have also contributed to discussions around The staggering state of freight in London through the London Assembly’s Transport Committee, providing expertise through delivering innovative, sustainable logistics projects on the river including transporting parcels and construction tool hire using the river as part of the London Light Freight River Trial. 

The discussions have all highlighted how collaboration between across public and private sectors, incorporating ports, couriers and logistics operators, construction partners, local authorities, strategic agencies, central government and infrastructure projects will be essential in delivering lower carbon supply chains and resilient logistics routes across the UK. 

If you’d like to hear more about how CRP can support you to make deliveries by river, reach out to CRP Senior Programme Manager Fiona Coull.  

Exciting news for London’s environment and future resilience!

17th March 2026 / Posted by Fiona Coull

The Greater London Authority has launched two major tools to help shape a greener, more climate resilient city: the London Green Infrastructure Framework (LGIF) and London’s first Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS). Together, these spatial tools provide a powerful evidence base to guide how we plan, invest in, and manage London’s green and blue spaces. 

What is the LGIF? 

The London Green Infrastructure Framework is an interactive, map based tool that brings key London-wide data on green infrastructure (GI) into one place. It helps users: 

  • Identify where new or improved GI can deliver the greatest benefits 
  • Understand opportunities for climate resilience, nature recovery and community wellbeing 
  • Pinpoint priority areas for creating or enhancing green and blue features 

What is the LNRS? 

London’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy includes a written plan and a mapped set of opportunities for restoring nature. Developed with input from Londoners and local organisations, it: 

  • Highlights the areas where nature most needs support 
  • Sets out priority actions for recovery 
  • Identifies opportunity zones where interventions can have the biggest impact 

How can these tools support you? 

For local authority planners:
Use the LGIF and LNRS to shape local plans, assess development proposals, and target GI investment where it’s most needed. 

For community groups:
Explore local opportunities for nature recovery, design meaningful projects, and use the evidence base to strengthen funding bids. 

For landowners and site managers:
Inform land management decisions, design greener developments, and create spaces that support nature, climate resilience and local communities. 

Find out more on the GLA website here! 

Explore CRP’s New Wider Networks Page!

17th March 2026 / Posted by Katie Smith

CRP is delighted to launch our brand‑new Wider Networks webpage, a dynamic showcase of the organisations and experts who power and enhance our work. While our long‑standing CRP partners remain central to everything we do, this new page celebrates the growing networks across London, the UK and internationally that help us amplify our impact. 

Collaboration is at the heart of CRP’s mission, and our expanding wider networks reflect the diverse and innovative organisations working with us to deliver sustainable, community‑focused solutions for places and people. 

Our academic partners, including University College London, Imperial College, Kings College London and University of Westminster., provide vital research and insight. 

We engage with major landowners such as The Portman Estate and British Land to create greener, people‑focused spaces, and maintain strong links with Department for Transport, Defra and Department for Business & Trade to align our work with national sustainability and transport priorities. 

Internationally, partnerships with organisations such as  C40 Cities and ALICE Logistics enable valuable knowledge exchange and help extend CRP’s impact beyond the UK. 

We collaborate with leading healthcare institutions including Great Ormond Street Hospital and Guys and St Thomas Hospital to support healthier communities. 

Our work with tech innovators like Grid Smarter Cities and Vivacity brings digital tools and data‑driven insights into our projects, while logistics partners, from EVRI to Delivery Mates, help us trial cleaner, smarter delivery solutions. 

We also continue to grow our network of businesses, charities and community groups, helping shape more inclusive and thriving neighbourhoods. 

👉 Visit the new CRP Wider Networks page to explore the full picture and discover how collaboration shapes our mission. 

TfL Spotlights CRP’s London Light Freight Walking Trial

17th March 2026 / Posted by Katie Smith

Transport for London has released a new collection of case studies highlighting pioneering approaches to sustainable logistics across the capital and we’re delighted that our London Light Freight Walking Trial has been featured.  

Completed in 2024, this project explored whether walking freight couriers using electric assisted trolleys (e-walkers) could provide a cleaner, more efficient last-mile delivery option in busy, pedestrian areas. 

Led by Cross River Partnership (CRP), the 10-month Defra funded trial was delivered in collaboration with The Fitzrovia Partnership, Camden Council, UPS and Heal’s.  

TfL’s case study highlights several important insights, including: 

  • Walking freight offers a practical supplement to traditional delivery vehicles. 
  • E-walkers provide a low-emission, cost effective solution for short, local delivery routes. 
  • Couriers reported that e-walkers were easier, quicker and more practical when delivering in dense or challenging urban environments. 

We’re proud to see this innovative CRP project recognised by TfL as part of London’s growing body of evidence on sustainable logistics.  

Read the full case study here: Walking freight trial case study

CRP has a strong track record in bringing innovative, sustainable urban logistics to life — from pioneering walking freight and rolling out parcel locker networks, to testing logistics hubs and trialling river freight solutions. If you’re looking to make your organisation’s deliveries cleaner, smarter and more efficient, we’d love to hear from you. 

Contact CRP’s Fiona Coull to explore what we can achieve together! 

Partner Spotlight: Islington’s Electric Future

17th March 2026 / Posted by Isidora Rivera Vollmer

We are delighted to share some fantastic news from our partners at Islington Council, who have successfully secured £932,500 in government funding to supercharge the borough’s electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. Part of a wider £1.86 million pot shared with Camden Council, this investment from the Department for Transport’s Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund will be matched by significant private investment to create a cleaner, healthier transport network. 

Islington has already delivered over 600 publicly accessible charge points, but this additional capital will allow for a massive expansion. Between 2026 and 2030, the council plans to install at least 840 new points, including 600 lamp column chargers and 240 fast charge points. This boost supports the council’s ambitious goal of providing more than 1,400 on-street EV charge points across the borough by 2030. 

Councillor Rowena Champion, Executive Member for Environment, Air Quality and Transport, noted that by putting this infrastructure in place now, the council is making it easier for drivers to ditch petrol and diesel, ultimately improving local air quality.  

With procurement strategies expected to be finalised in spring 2026, this project perfectly aligns with Cross River Partnership’s mission to support sustainable logistics and cleaner air across London. We look forward to seeing these chargers hit the streets soon! 

Read the full press release here: https://www.islington.media/news/powering-forward-with-nearly-gbp-1m-funding-for-electric-vehicle-charging  

 

©2026 Cross River Partnership London Web Design Red Giant