Lambeth Council recently launched the Low Line Vision, an ambitious strategy setting out proposals and opportunities to deliver improvements to spaces along the Victorian railway viaduct – from Waterloo to Vauxhall, Nine Elms and Battersea to support the local economies and improve connections.
Goding Street has been identified as a priority area within this vision and the proposed scheme reflects aspirations to create an attractive designation and support local businesses that also contributes to the borough’s Net Zero targets.
It is also identified as a key focal point in the Vauxhall Night Time Enterprise Zone (NTEZ) Programme, which brings footfall, activity and events to London’s most dynamic 24-hour centres.
What might change?
Together with local partners, Lambeth aims to activate the street’s potential as an attractive dwelling space for pedestrians, park visitors and customers of adjacent businesses. Measures under consideration include closing the road for traffic but still allowing deliveries, replacing the parking with more sustainable uses, and exploring opportunities to activate the space. Through these, Lambeth aims to increase footfall, bring new customers to Goding Street businesses and safeguard jobs.
More information regarding the Low Line Vision can be found here.
For Goding Street, the Vision imagines:
- A more pedestrian and cycling friendly street and improved road safety
- Increased footfall to support activation, local businesses and the evening and nighttime economy
- Space for markets, events and activities
- Goding Street as a local destination
- Lambeth’s Net Zero targets, including improved air quality
How will this affect local businesses?
Businesses have told Lambeth that Goding Street is a vital road for local deliveries and customer access. At the same time, businesses agree that Goding Street could be improved with more sustainable uses rather than parking, and that the space could be used for events.
Lambeth therefore proposes to pedestrianise the street, with enforcement and monitoring by the Vauxhall One. Deliveries, loading and servicing will still be possible. Access will be physically restricted when events take place but will remain accessible for delivery and customer vehicles on all other days.
Vauxhall One would liaise with businesses regarding the time and dates of any events/markets, which are likely to take place on evenings and weekends.
Which part of Goding Street do the changes affect?
Parking will be permanently removed on the southern section of Goding Street, and replaced by parklets, greening, seating and activation. This pedestrianised area will improve footfall on the street, deliver a range of more sustainable kerbside uses and allow Vauxhall One to organise events such as markets.
The Lambeth Regeneration team is planning further engagement on enhancing the public realm in Goding Street with artwork on the roadway, parklets and other interventions.
Available for download below is a map of the scheme and business-related Frequently Asked Questions. This document gives answers to common queries about what’s happening and how this will affect your business.
