Extensive regeneration in riverside central London has led to the transformation of some areas into tourism and business hotspots. Managing the impact of that transformation is a crucial element of any successful regeneration project.

The importance of effective local area management (LAM) is key to the success of regeneration projects and to sustainable city centre living. If this aspect of regeneration is not addressed it will become a barrier to further economic growth. Quite simply, if areas are not effectively managed, in terms of cleanliness, personal safety and visual attractiveness they will soon degenerate.

Cross River Partnership (CRP) is supporting LAM projects in the tourist hotspots of the West End such as Leicester Square and Chinatown and in the newer, developing, tourist areas along the south bank of the river and, in the future, the remodelled Vauxhall Interchange.

CRP approach to LAM is the concept of sharing best practice. In this way LAM good practice can be built into regeneration projects at an early stage - enabling future regeneration projects to benefit from the experience gleaned from the West End and Bankside.

Geographical area
Central Westminster, north Southwark (Bankside) and north Lambeth (Vauxhall).

Time frame
The West End and Bankside LAM projects have been running since 2000/01. Vauxhall has been running since 2003.

Results by area

Westminster: Leicester Square

• A reduction of 70% in street crime between July 2001 and July 2003 through introduction of closed circuit television (CCTV) and improved lighting
• Introduction of warden service successfully enforcing against buskers, street drinkers, illegal street traders and providing safe and secure atmosphere for visitors
• Introduction of al fresco dining and late night opening of Leicester Square Gardens in summer 2003 leading to much greater family use of the square late at night and reduction in anti-social behaviour
• Introduction of improved and more frequent cleansing services, keeping the square much cleaner with a full time janitorial service from September 2003 and introduction of mobile pissoirs at weekends.

Westminster: Chinatown

• Chinatown Action Plan produced, consulted on and adopted.

Southwark: Bankside

• Events held e.g. Mint Street Park community event, Bankside information day and tourism seminar, Bankside wardens scheme meeting
• Bankside Residents’ Forum - proposal for the production of a 'Rough Guide' leaflet on advice and guidance on how to cope with construction noise and disturbance
• Business greening grants panel - development and management of a small grant scheme for businesses in Bankside
• Bankside street action team - proposals for environmental improvements such as landscaping and lighting improvements on the riverwalk between Blackfriars Bridge and Tate Modern
• The Bankside street action team was ’highly commented’ at the Total London Tourism Awards in august 2003, under the Local Tourism Initiative category.

Lambeth: Vauxhall

• Appointment of two extra street care officers.

Cross River Partnership’s role
To facilitate LAM across three boroughs and act as conduit for sharing best practice.

Lead partner
CRP and relevant local authority.

Contact
Barry Smith
020 7641 2214
bsmith@westminster.gov.uk