Light at the End of the Tunnel (LET) is both a regeneration and a transport project, promoting growth and development of the area and creating safe transport routes.

The massive railway viaduct which slices through central London south of the river forms one of the biggest barriers to economic development and job creation in some of the intensely deprived areas of the country.

Running from Vauxhall to Bermondsey, the viaduct forms a physical and social barrier to regeneration in the same way the river did a few years ago.

The only way through the viaduct is a network of 97 road and pedestrian tunnels, many of them dark and forbidding zones, especially after dark. The tunnels create barriers and separate the community from the jobs and opportunities of riverside and central London. They are also a barrier to inward investment in an area which is geographically close to the established centre of London. 

LET was launched by Cross River Partnership in 2002 to tackle the severing effect of the ten kilometre stretch of disused Victorian viaducts.

By cleaning the viaducts, increasing illumination with creative lighting techniques and by commissioning new public art, the pedestrian experience has been transformed and the tunnels and arches have become viable, safe and, above all, functional spaces.

Opening up the tunnels, and the areas surrounding them, will help unleash the inward investment potential of the area. It will encourage businesses to take advantage of the 1,000 arches which adjoin the tunnels, using them as commercial space. These 1,000 units have the potential to retain or create 12,000 new jobs in central London south of the river.

The regeneration of the tunnels and the areas surrounding them has enhanced access to transport, public safety and enjoyment in local tourist and leisure attractions.  It has also triggered investment in some of the most deprived areas of the capital, promoting growth and development.

To date, the renovation of over a half of the pedestrian tunnels  have been refurbished through the LET programme.

CRP has recently published a very interesting book celebrating LETs incredible architectural and regeneration achievements and demonstrates the myriad of opportunities that the viaduct offers to London's businesses, communities and visitors. To view it, please click on the link to the LET Celebration Report on the left hand side of this page or contact Helen Smith for a copy using the contact details below.

Project partners: Lambeth Council, Southwark Council, Transport for London, Network Rail, Spacia, Better Bankside.

Contact: Helen Smith 020 7926 0081 hcsmith@lambeth.gov.uk