On Saturday 25 March Southwark Greens, together with Tenant and Resident Associations from Rotherhithe, Bermondsey, Peckham and Walworth and many other local groups, took part in a march through the borough organized by Defend Council Housing to fight for an end to social cleansing.

Profit-driven developers continue to take their toll on Rotherhithe's pubs. with recent local victims including the Clipper, the Ship York and the Three Compasses. All now face replacement with yet more flats, reducing our area's character, heritage and amenities.

The latest Canada Water Masterplan has confirmed local residents' worst fears. Colin Boyle, Southwark Green Party Chair and local resident, stated that: "The Rotherhithe we know will be lost, and in its place we will have a high-rise, densely packed urban landscape. We need to develop Canada Water, but this proposal is entirely out of keeping with the area and ignores the feedback that local residents provided in previous consultations."

The Green Party candidates for Rotherhithe ward in the Southwark Council elections on Thursday 3rd May 2018 are Colin Boyle and Roger Manser.

Colin Boyle has lived in Rotherhithe since 2002, and as soon as he moved here he knew that it was where he wanted to settle and bring up a family. A qualified accountant, Colin leads the delivery of complex IT programmes for the public sector, and this knowledge and experience will enable him to hold Southwark Council to account. “London is changing fast, and the vast development planned for Canada Water will shape our area forever. I absolutely support redevelopment, provided it is the right scale and mix to deliver jobs and a sustainable community, and is supported by the right infrastructure. I believe development should be led by the community, and that Green councillors will be strong, local advocates that Rotherhithe needs at this crucial time.” 

Roger Manser retired to Rotherhithe from Lewisham in 2012. His main concern is fighting air pollution as it impacts the elderly. This could include many more strategic footpaths, tree planting, and reducing - wherever possible - the volume of local traffic, particularly diesel vehicles. In recent years, he has been working to see London as a national park city, and campaigning for Britain to meet - equitably - its climate change obligations. Previously he was a journalist, covering the UK and global steel industry. He has also worked in Malawi (as a VSO agricultural economist), Switzerland (lobbying the United Nations on human rights), and Poland and China. His other interests include walking. 

The Green Party candidate for Surrey Docks ward in the Southwark Council elections on Thursday 3rd May 2018 is Sandra Lane.

Sandra is an artist and has lived in Southwark for many years, engaging in community campaigns to preserve local heritage.

• We strongly support the proposal for the Rotherhithe 'Brunel Bridge' for a new bridge for people on foot and cycle.
• We also support the implementation of Cycle Superhighway 4, and call for Southwark Council to work with TfL to fill in the 'missing gap'.We were disappointed that Labour and Lib Dem councillors did not support the proposal.
• These proposals have the potential to hugely improve transport links in the area and reduce air pollution. This is a terrific letter from a local doctor (not connected with the Green Party) to Southwark News, showing why CS4 is so important.
• We will continue to engage with plans for Canada Water as they develop.

[More information on our work in Rotherhithe and Surrey Docks...]