Organisation
Lambeth Council and Sustains Us
Goals
Resilient communities, Climate-friendly streets, Green infrastructure
Lambeth continues to deliver a range of projects in Waterloo as part of the South Bank and Waterloo Sustains Us programme, building on the original Net Zero work to create a fairer, greener neighbourhood for all.
On Lower Marsh, traffic restrictions are proposed on Saturdays to bring back the market. We’ve made the UK’s first business-cycle hangar trial permanent, we’ve published an exciting Vision for The Cut with Southwark, and we continue to work in our local neighbourhoods to cut through traffic.
In May 2023, funding the Mayor of London’s Future Neighbourhoods 2030 programme enabled Lambeth and partners to create the Waterloo and South Bank Net Zero Strategy, with the vision to create a fairer, greener neighbourhood for all.
The strategy sets out how Waterloo and South Bank will become a net zero neighbourhood by 2030, in line with the wider borough’s ambitions outlined in the Climate Action Plan [link].
It focuses on four goals:
- Clean energy and efficient buildings
- Improving air quality
- Building greater resilience to climate change
- Reducing waste and consumption
These goals now form part of the wider Sustains Us programme, which brings together local authorities, businesses, residents and partners to turn strategy into coordinated action across the neighbourhood.
Since then, Lambeth has produced its Kerbside Strategy, which built on the ambitions of the Climate Action Plan and set out a process to support delivery of the Waterloo and South Bank Net Zero Strategy and wider Sustains Us priorities.
So Far
In collaboration with local Business Improvement Districts and key stakeholders, the strategy has been progressing through projects such as the Hercules Road Transformation (opens in a new window) and the Waterloo Freight Hub Trial (opens in a new window).
Business-sponsored Cycle Hangars
In 2025, Lambeth launched the UK’s first trial of business-sponsored cycle hangars. Four businesses in Waterloo sponsored three cycle hangars on Hercules Road, Roupell Street and Morley Street.
This allows more of the company's employees to travel to and from work sustainably, and removes one of the biggest barriers to safe cycling: bike theft.
Following the success of the trial, the scheme will now be rolled out across the borough, so that small and medium enterprises can express their interest in supporting a bike hangar.
Saturday Market at Lower Marsh
After a successful return of the Saturday Market between June 2024 and May 2025, we’re bringing back the market permanently in 2026.
To enable this, Lambeth is proposing a new Traffic Order to stop traffic from entering the street on Saturdays between 9 am and 9 pm.
Once this is in place, the Saturday Market would be able to restart from July onwards, opening the space for the day market, as well as evening activities, outdoor seating, and events.
The consultation for the Traffic Order is open from 20 March to 10 April. Submit your views (opens in a new window).
The Cut
The Cut, which runs between Waterloo Road and Blackfriars Road, is also being put forward for transformation. After two rounds of consultation and engagement with local organisations, residents, businesses and local stakeholders, a new vision has been put forward based on six key principles:
- Celebrate it
- Car-free it
- Activate it
- Green and blue it
- Connect it
- Night and light it
The new vision, commissioned by Lambeth and Southwark Councils and designed by We Made That, is broken down into three key areas:
- Great Charlotte Street, between Southwark Station and Southwark College, focuses on welcoming visitors from the stations and providing green social spaces for residents and students.
- The New Cut, around and outside The Young Vic theatre, aims to expand public space for local businesses to spill out onto and use creative lighting to enhance safety and boost activity.
- The Circus, including The Old Vic and Emma Cons Gardens, will be a place of performance and celebration with a new performance space in the gardens and the potential for a ‘backstage’ public space north of Webber Street.
The Cut Vision will now be used to bid for funding opportunities, such as unlocking Section 106 contributions from local developments and inform future changes to the area.
Read more about the proposals. (opens in a new window)
Waterloo Healthy Neighbourhoods
Healthy Neighbourhoods are designed to create safer, more pleasant streets for walking, cycling and scooting. By reducing through-traffic on residential roads and creating more sustainable activities, it encourages residents to use their cars less. This helps reduce emissions, embed more green space into our streets and make them safe for residents.
Throughout 2023 and 2024, Lambeth engaged with residents on a range of Healthy Neighbourhood proposals on Roupell Street, Cornwall Road, Windmill Walk and Frazier Street/Pearman Street.
Following project delays due to council funding, Lambeth has applied for Local Implementation Plan funding from Transport for London to deliver a scaled-back version of the schemes in 2026/27.
These news proposals include local feedback, such as removing street furniture, aligning the materials' colours with local heritage, and coordinating with local utilities.
Wonderful Waterloo and South Bank Fun Day
The Wonderful Waterloo and South Bank Fun Day brought together more than 250 residents, businesses and local organisations for a day of activities focused on sustainability and community action. Held at St John’s Church, the event included workshops, bike checks, repair sessions and hands-on activities for all ages.
It provided an opportunity to share practical ideas, connect local initiatives and gather feedback from residents, helping to shape future priorities for the neighbourhood.
Air Quality Monitoring Network
The local Business Improvement District, South Bank BID, has supported the rollout of a local air quality monitoring network across the area. Sensors installed provide real-time data on pollution levels, helping residents, businesses, and visitors make informed choices about travel and routes.
This data is also being used to target action where it is most needed and build a stronger evidence base for future interventions.
LSBU Energy Advice Centre
Our community partners have also been supporting our neighbourhood ambitions. The LSBU Energy Advice Centre has been supporting local residents with free, practical advice on reducing energy use and cutting bills. Through drop-in sessions, outreach and remote support, the service has helped more than 1,000 people since opening.
This work makes it easier for households to take action while addressing the rising cost of energy.
