Station upgrade, New Yard and local events

Published Thursday 18 June 2026

Step-free access is coming to Surrey Quays, New Yard edges closer at Canada Water, and a Brunel Museum concert is open to book.

Top Updates

Surrey Quays Overground station gets £40M step-free upgrade

Transport for London has confirmed a £40M investment to make Surrey Quays Overground station fully step-free, with the project due to complete by May 2027. The upgrade will install two new lifts and improve the ticket hall, bringing the busy interchange in line with modern accessibility standards. TfL's Surrey Quays station upgrade page has the project outline.

Canada Water masterplan: New Yard opening later this year

The first phase of British Land's Canada Water masterplan is on track to open later this year, with New Yard, the former Decathlon site, set to become a mixed-use space for retail, food and workspace. Three new public spaces are being delivered as part of the town centre build-out, including improvements to the plaza around Canada Water Library. Southwark's Canada Water masterplan pages track progress, including updates on the new library and community facilities.

Time and Talents summer family programme in full swing

Time and Talents runs a varied summer programme at its T&T2 space inside Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, including Toddler Shake 'n' Boogie drop-in crafts, songs and play for under-fives on Tuesdays, 9.30-11.30am, and Mischief Squad free dance club for children aged 6-11 on Tuesdays, 4-5pm. The children and families programme lists all weekly sessions, and families can get involved before the groups take a break for the summer holidays.

What's On

Thursday 18 June

DEBUT choral concert at St James Bermondsey, 7.30pm. St James Bermondsey Church hosts a DEBUT choral concert tonight featuring the Hithertones alongside guest choirs in the church nave. Tickets are £12.50, with under-18s free, available through the St James Bermondsey events page. The bar opens at 7pm.

Friday 19 June

LEGO club at Canada Water Library, 10am-noon. Canada Water Library runs a free drop-in LEGO club for children aged 5 and over on Friday morning. No need to book; check the library listings for any last-minute changes.

Thursday 25 June

Hithertones choral concert in the Thames Tunnel shaft, 8pm. The Hithertones choir performs a cappella, folk, jazz and classical pieces in the underground shaft at the Brunel Museum on Thursday 25 June, 8 to 9pm, with the bar open from 7pm. Under-16s go free and SE16 and SE8 residents pay £2.50, with tickets on the museum's booking page. Step-free access is limited, so contact the museum when booking if you need it.

Saturday 27 June

Craft and colouring club at Canada Water Library, 2.15-3.15pm. Canada Water Library's craft and colouring club for children aged 5 and over runs on Saturday afternoon. Places are limited, so arrive in good time.

Roadworks and Transport

Stockholm Road closed to December 2026: Stockholm Road remains closed for ongoing housing development works, with the closure in place since June 2025 and expected to last through December 2026. Local diversions are signed, but expect delays if you normally use this route to reach Canada Water or Surrey Quays.

Drummond Road and Brunswick Quay closures this weekend: Thames Water has road closures on Drummond Road from Sunday 22 to Wednesday 25 June, and on Brunswick Quay from Sunday 22 to Wednesday 24 June. These are short-term works for water mains, but they will affect access towards Rotherhithe and the Old Kent Road. Plan alternative routes for the weekend.

Rotherhithe Tunnel overnight closure Sunday into Monday: Transport for London is closing the Rotherhithe Tunnel overnight from Sunday 22 to Monday 23 June, approximately 9pm to 4am, for routine maintenance. The tunnel also has standing limits of 2 metres for height and width and 2 tonnes for goods vehicles, with fines for vehicles that ignore them.

Planning Watch

Shop front access at 152 Lower Road: Southwark has received application 26/AP/1696 at 152 Lower Road, SE16 2UG. It proposes shop front alterations to provide front access to a first-floor flat.

Canada Water Retail Park redevelopment conditions: Southwark has received application 26/AP/1693 at Canada Water Retail Park, Surrey Quays Road, SE16 2XU. It seeks approval of a preliminary risks assessment as part of the site's comprehensive redevelopment planning permission.

Biscuit Factory kitchen ventilation at Bermondsey Campus: Southwark has received application 26/AP/1690 at Biscuit Factory, Keetons Road, SE16 4DG. It seeks approval confirming no windowless kitchens in Building V, as required by the site's planning permission.