Thameslink Programme: Bermondsey Dive Under

Wildflower embankments - credit to Network Rail
Area characterisation: 

The site is located to the east of London Bridge station in a highly urbanised area close to South Bermondsey train station and Millwall football stadium, surrounded by commercial and residential properties.

Slideshow:

Site before regeneration - credit to Network Rail Site after regeneration - credit to Network Rail Wildflower planting by access ramp - credit to Network Rail Wildflower green wall - credit to Network Rail
Objective: 

To untangle the tracks approaching London Bridge station reducing delays and to achieve net positive biodiversity.

Actions: 

This project was delivered by Skansa and Network Rail as part of the Thameslink Programme which is committing to increasing the biodiversity of its sites, through a Biodiversity Net Positive Policy. The original Bermondsey site had limited botanical diversity and low conservation value and part...

Potential impacts/benefits: 

Potential impacts/ benefits

Challenges addressed

Enhancing sustainable urbanisation

Restoring ecosystems and their functions

Developing climate change mitigation

Developing climate change adaptation

Green space management (Including enhancing/conserving urban biodiversity)

· Changing image of the urban environment

· Increase willingness to invest in NbS

· Increase biodiversity

· Increase quality and quantity of green infrastructures

· Reduction of energy in the production of new buildings and building materials

· Reduce run off

Participatory planning and governance

· Social learning about location and importance of NbS

· Social inclusion

Transferability of the result: 

Creation of biodiverse corridors can be designed into most new railway lines.

Lessons learned: 

It is important to plant at the right time to ensure success of wildflowers and prevent the infestation of pioneer species like Buddleia.

It is important to engage with local councils and communities to create the best design for the area.

Financing: 

The total cost was £50 million and was funded by Network Rail as part of the Thameslink Programme.

Contacts: 

Goals:

  • Restoring ecosystems and their functions

NBS Actions:

  • Urban regeneration through nature-based solutions

Keywords:

Biodiversity, Changing image of the urban environment, Landscape, Sparsely vegetated land, Sustainability, Temperate, Think Nature, ThinkNature, Urban, Reduction of energy in the production of new buildings and building materials, Increase Biodiversity, Increase quality and quantity of green and blue infrastructures, Reduce run-off, Increase willingness to invest in NBS, Social inclusion, Social learning about location & importance of NBS

Client:

Network Rail

Design team:

Skansa

Network Rail

Ramboll

Awards:

ICE London - Infrastructure award, 2017.     

CEEQUAL ‘Excellent’ Whole Team Award of 96.6%.

Ground Engineering - Sustainability award 2017.

Finalists for Ciria’s Big Biodiversity Challenge

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