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We have been working closely with the local community to develop proposals for the Deptford Parks Liveable Neighbourhood Project (DPLN) that encourage people to walk and cycle more.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic we have been working hard to make streets across the DPLN area safer and healthier both to respond to the pandemic. Unfortunately the uncertainty over future TfL funding for 2021/22 and beyond has makes this project very challenging to deliver as originally planned at this time.

However, despite the financial challenges they are facing as a result of COVID-19, TFL have remained supportive of this scheme and have made some limited funding available for its delivery. As a result of this we are pleased to announce that we are close to delivering a number of key elements of the DPLN scheme. These include creating a pedestrian and cycle zone on Rolt Street, resurfacing works on Woodpecker Walk and making the successful trial schemes on Scawen Road and Prince Street permanent.

We'd like to thank everyone who has contributed to the schemes so far throughout the engagement and co-design of the original DPLN schemes and since the trial measures that have been in place as part of our COVID response - your views are helping to shape these measures and ensure that we are creating plans to support walking, cycling and healthier neighbourhoods.

The Woodpecker Walk Co- Design engagement has come to an end. The boards have been taken down and the content from both the ‘discover’ and ‘codesign’ boards have been collated. We have assembled some wonderful contributions, thoughts and themes throughout this engagement and we want to say THANK YOU to all who came down and got involved. In particular a huge thanks to Woodpecker Youth Club, Iriee Dance, Deptford Folk, Lewisham Cyclists and all local residents, businesses and faith groups who gave their time to participate in this project.

All of the information is now being gathered together and will be passed on to the design team, contributing to public realm improvements in the area. There will be a formal consultation in October about these designs which we will promote far and wide!

Excitingly, the story gathering for Tom Berry’s Art Trail has now also come to an end. Throughout this research, Tom heard an incredible range of fascinating, insightful and often very surprising stories of Deptford. According to Tom, it was a challenge to whittle down these great testimonies of the area into just 20 art installations, but it has now been done and the works are beginning. Watch this space!

Last Friday we installed a new Co-design board along Woodpecker Road!

While the first board aimed to discover issues in the area, this co-design board seeks solutions to these issues, bringing participants further into the design process. We did this by showcasing the main themes that emerged from the first board (play, street furniture, greening of the area, opening the space up and lighting) and provided inspiration / ideas that could be incorporated in the design. We asked people to choose their favourite images and show us whereabouts along the route they would like them.

To celebrate the beginning of the co-design of Woodpecker, we decided to throw a street party! This event invited passers-by to get involved via music, a play street (reimagining the street environment with games, chalk drawings and inviting children to draw their ideas on a map) and an enticing and popular raffle, with an amazing range of gifts, generously provided by local businesses. Lewisham Cyclists also very kindly ran a free Dr Bike, providing numerous bikes some TLC just in time for autumn cycling adventures.

During this event we were very happy to meet a lot of people who contributed to the first board, with many commenting how the board had become a focal point where local people gathered around - in many cases meeting neighbours for the first time!

We went back to Woodpecker on Tuesday and spoke again with all local shops in the central area, hearing some particularly useful insight to how the space works for them.

We really appreciate the contributions so far, and look forward to seeing more ideas for the co-design of Woodpecker Road. The board will be there until Monday so if you haven’t contributed yet head down and tell us your ideas!

Join us this Friday from 3:30-6:30 pm along Woodpecker! We have already heard from many of you about how you feel about the area -we now want to hear from you about what you want to see. For example, lots of people told us they wanted to see more play features - come down this Friday to tell us what types. Climbing walls, play on the way, balance beams? This is your chance to get involved in the design of the space.To encourage participation, there will be:

See you this Friday!

We are back again carrying out more engagement on Woodpecker Road.

We want to find out what local people feel about the space and how you would like to see it improved.

Yesterday we put up the first of two maps inviting residents and passers-by to write and share their thoughts and feelings about Woodpecker so please come down and speak your mind anytime in the next two weeks.

The second map will be installed in two weeks and seeks to find solutions to the issues raised.

We will be on Woodpecker Road on August 8th from 4-7 pm to further encourage participation. There will be more events after this - watch this space.