Heat alert and a busy Canada Water weekend
Published Thursday 25 June 2026
Stay safe in Thursday's extreme heat, then find free clothes, crafts, science and poetry at Canada Water Library.
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Red heat-health alert continues through Thursday
The highest-level heat-health alert remains in force on Thursday 25 June. Canada Water Library is open as a cool space, and Southwark advises drinking plenty of water, avoiding direct sun between 11am and 3pm and checking on people who may struggle to stay cool. Read the council's hot-weather advice.
Some household bin collections may move to Friday, so leave your bin out and only report it missed if it is more than a day late. Street-cleaning and grounds teams will finish at noon, and all council adventure playgrounds are closed on Thursday. The council has the full list of temporary service changes.
Dates For Your Diary
Saturday 4 July, 2-4pm
Dungeons and Dragons summer social
Canada Water Library is hosting a free afternoon of short role-playing and board games, D&D crafts, game books and refreshments. It is open to adults and children aged 10 and over with an accompanying adult; beginners are welcome. Register for the summer social in advance.
Saturday 1 August, 11.30am-8.30pm
Rotherhithe Festival returns to King George's Fields
The community festival returns to King George's Fields for a full day of live music. The organiser's Rotherhithe Festival site has the date, times and first acts, with more programme details expected nearer the day.
What's On
Thursday 25 June
Craft Social at Canada Water Library, 2-4pm. Take along a project or try a new technique such as jewellery making at this free, informal session for adults. Materials are provided and no experience or booking is needed; see the Craft Social listing.
Saturday 27 June
Loanhood clothes swap, 11.30am-3.30pm. Bring up to five good-quality pre-loved items to swap for something new to you at Canada Water Library. There will also be help with mending and altering clothes. The event is free, but book a clothes-swap place before attending.
The Broken Umbrella sustainability challenge, 2.15-3.45pm. Children aged 5 to 11 can take apart broken household objects and turn the pieces into new inventions at Canada Water Library. The free Science Owl workshop is part of London Climate Action Week and does not need booking.
Sunday 28 June
Clare Pollard poetry reading, 1-2pm. Local poet, novelist and playwright Clare Pollard reads from her work at Canada Water Library, including her 2025 collection Lives of the Female Poets, followed by an informal Q&A. The event is free, but seating is limited, so register for the reading.
Roadworks and Transport
Drummond Road closure continues through Monday: Thames Water's road closure on Drummond Road continues through Thursday night, then a further permitted closure runs from Friday 26 to Monday 29 June. Allow extra time around the Lower Road and Surrey Quays approaches and follow signed diversions.
Rotherhithe Tunnel closes overnight on Monday: Transport for London plans to close the Rotherhithe Tunnel from 10pm on Monday 29 June until 5am on Tuesday 30 June. Use Tower Bridge or the Blackwall Tunnel instead and allow extra time for overnight journeys.
Planning Watch
Combustible facade replacement at Messenger Court: Southwark is considering application 26/AP/1791 at Messenger Court, 150 Spa Road. It seeks confirmation that proposed works to replace combustible facade materials, balcony decking, soffits and terrace decking with compliant alternatives are lawful.
Canada Water Retail Park redevelopment phasing: A new amendment request for the approved Canada Water Retail Park redevelopment would vary its phasing plan. Application 26/AP/1770 covers Units 1 and 4 on Surrey Quays Road and is under consideration.