Construction activity

Planning permission for the Canada Water Masterplan was granted in May 2020, and the construction programme for the entire site will take approximately 10 years. At times construction activity will impact the local community and we’re committed to keeping you updated and managing construction so that disruption in the local area is minimised.

Information on current and upcoming works, including Plots A1, A2 and the Printworks building, can be found in our latest newsletter. Please read down for more information on the construction programme and updates, as well as how to get in touch with us.

 

Plot A1 and A2, Canada Dock, Surrey Quays Shopping Centre car park and surrounding area

Plot A1 

Plot A1 will provide a new 35-storey building which will provide residential homes, alongside retail and office space. Expected completion is in winter this year.  

Wates, the main contractor building Plot A1, are currently installing the façades to all the buildings’ cores. This includes unitised panels to the main residential tower and hand laid bricks to the commercial and office blocks. The works on the façade of the tower and office block are nearing completion. Internally, the fit out is well underway, and the main mechanical, electrical and plumbing works in the basement are progressing well. Wates has produced a helpful note which provides more detail on how we monitor and record construction activities on Plot A1.  

The working hours at Plot A1 allow an additional hour either side of standard working hours to enable the use of the two passenger hoists on the main tower. One hoist is located along the Deal Porters Way side and another along the Surrey Quays Road side, both are within the site boundary. This work has been approved by Southwark Council and the working hours of the hoist are as follows:

Monday to Friday: 7am to 7pm, with standard construction works only permitted from 8am to 6pm

Saturday: 8am to 3pm, with standard construction works only permitted from 9am to 2pm

The hoist will run no earlier than the agreed limit of 7am. During the additional time each day, only hoist related activities will take place. This will also include the required safety checks on each hoist. Wates will continue to monitor all site activities to ensure permittable noise threshold levels are not exceeded.

Plot A2 

Plot A2 will include Canada Water Leisure Centre at ground and basement level, retail and food outlets along the new High Street, and workspace at the upper levels. Expected completion is in autumn this year. 

Mace, the main contractor building Plot A2, has now completed the main structure of the building. The building is entering the final stages of construction ahead of a period of testing and commissioning that will make up the final period of the project. Work is ongoing on the roof levels, with minor works and finishings being completed to the cladding on the outside of the building. Most of the window glazing is in place, and the scaffolding that has surrounded the building is coming down. Planters are being installed on the terraces at the rear of the building. 

Internally, the fit-out is underway and the electrical, water and control systems are now in place. Painting, decorating, and the installation of final finishes, such as architectural metalwork, are taking place. 

Between 21st - 28th March, a mobile crane will be used within the A2 site to lift planter boxes onto the terraces at the rear of the building. The mobile crane will enter site before the start of the working day and will park up before being set up and used during standard construction hours.

Mace have begun  work on the pedestrian walkway adjacent to the dock on Deal Porters Way. To facilitate this work, the southbound lane of Deal Porters Way will be closed to traffic for around 12-14 weeks from early March until mid-June. This means traffic accessing Surrey Quays Shopping Centre will need to enter via the Tesco end of the car park but can exit near Canada Water Station. Southbound traffic will be diverted via Surrey Quays Road, Redriff Road and Lower Road. Traffic can still travel north along Deal Porters Way. Pedestrian access along Deal Porters Way will be maintained throughout the works. 

This work makes up the first part of the public space between the Dock Shed and Canada Water Leisure Centre and the dock. The work includes duct installation for services, foundations for street furniture, installation of benches, tree pits and planting and the installation of granite paving. We would like to apologise in advance for any disruption as part of the work. This has been planned in line with other work in the area to try and minimise disruption as far as possible. 

All work is carried out in accordance with industry standards and the levels set by Southwark Council’s environment team. Mace has produced a helpful note which provides more detail on how we monitor and record site impact and the limits we work within on Plot A2. 

Dock Office courtyard works

Wates have begun work to the Dock Office courtyard which will create a new public space as part of the development. Work includes installation of a small pond, garden area and extended courtyard. Significant level changes will take place to create a smooth transition between the Dock Offices and Plot A1. Work is expected to complete at the end of May. To facilitate the works, access to the Dock Offices will be closed between Monday 25 March – Tuesday 2 April. We apologise for any inconvenience caused in advance.

Haul road and vehicle access

The entrance to the haul road is on Lower Road. Traffic marshals are located on Lower Road to ensure there is no traffic build up and to ensure safety for all. Construction vehicles access the site via the haul road and leave site via the pit lane along Surrey Quays Road or Deal Porters Way. On occasion, construction traffic will be required to exit onto Lower Road via the haul road. Vehicles will also use the entrance on Deal Porters Way on occasion. There will also be occasions where vehicles will need to reverse into the haul road due to safety reasons.

The haul road will be closed between Tuesday 2 – Monday 15 April to accommodate gas connection works on Lower Road. Throughout the closure, construction vehicles will access Plots A1 and A2 via Deal Porters Way only.

Canada Dock

Work to revitalise the dock continues, including laying foundations for the southern steps, boardwalk construction and landscaping. The new 170-metre boardwalk is scheduled to complete in summer this year and landscaping is scheduled to finish in late summer. Works in and around the dock include: 

  • Ongoing construction of the boardwalk. The frame of the boardwalk is built first which is then followed by the installation of timber. To facilitate this there will be timber and steel deliveries to the dock site compound. You may notice an increase in vehicles in the area during this time and to allow movement of the delivery vehicles.
  • In early April, timber piling will commence for the dipping pond.
  • Due to the construction of the steps along southern edge of the dock, a hoarding has been installed, reducing the footpath width to 3m temporarily.
  • Galldris are due to begin works to the pavement outside of Canada Water Library. Works are expected to take around 10 weeks, and hoarding will be installed to ensure safety is always maintained. The use of a small number of bike racks will be suspended whilst the works are carried out.  Pedestrian access to Canada Water station and the library will be maintained as the works are conducted.
  • Pedestrian access to the dock from Surrey Quays Road (in the corner of Maritime Street) is temporarily restricted but will always be maintained.
  • A small number of construction vehicles access the dock site from Surrey Quays Road. The entrance will be managed by gatesmen and low-level traffic barriers will be in place to ensure traffic is managed safely.  
  • Galldris are undertaking three trial holes within the site boundary on Surrey Quays Road (close to Canada Dock) to locate existing utility services. The works are expected to take around 2 weeks and Galldris will aim to minimise disruption as far as possible.

Galldris is working closely with environmental specialists, including an Ecological Clerk of Works who visits the site daily, to make sure that the works cause minimal disturbances to the current environment and its inhabitants as possible. Mitigation measures include the provision of a silt curtain which runs to the full depth of the dock and prevents the spread of water containing sentiment. Monthly water quality testing is being carried out which has met the required standards.

Transport for London (TfL) works 

TfL are undertaking upgrades to Surrey Quays station including the construction of a new station entrance, featuring a spacious ticket hall and gateline expected to welcome 60 per cent of customers using the station. The upgrades will provide step-free access for the first time to both platforms via two new lifts and longer platforms to reduce current overcrowding at peak times and provide station capacity for expected future demand. The improvements are due to complete by 2026 and are part of a larger scheme to improve the East London Line.

With programme critical work carried out last year to ensure the work site is fully established within the station area, the main civil works for the new entrance can now progress safely this spring. There will be some traffic management in place during this time. TfL have written to close by neighbours to inform them of the work. 
 

Quebec Way and surrounding areas 


Below ground substation (Zone L) and work being undertaken by UK Power Networks and Galldris

The new below ground substation, located at the rear of the Printworks, on Quebec Way, will supply power to the Canada Water development as well as the wider community.  

UK Power Networks and its Alliance Partners who own and maintain the electricity network in the area, have begun the fit-out section of works, installing state of the art electrical equipment in the newly built substation. These works will continue until early 2025. Galldris have returned to install covers over the transformer bays and will complete work by the end of March. UK Power Networks will shortly complete the final fit out works. The site will reach full operation in late 2025 and will supply power to the development as well as the wider community. UK Power Networks started cable installation works within Southwark last year. These new cables will supply the electricity from the nearby New Cross Substation where upgrade works are underway. The cabling works along Quebec Way are due to be completed by early April. Notice will be provided by letter to those close to the site ahead of the works conducted by UKPN.

Zone H

Enabling works for Printworks Street and Reel Street (working names)

Construction of new access roads and the installation of new below ground infrastructure, to facilitate the development is ongoing in the Printworks area. All works are now taking place within the site boundary and include installation of drainage and service infrastructure and tarmacking of the new roads. Construction of the new roads is anticipated to complete in summer this year for construction traffic access. The roads will remain within the construction site boundary and will be resurfaced before opening to the public upon completion of the main works to the Printworks building. We will aim to minimise disruption as much as possible and noise barriers will be installed around the area of works. 

The Printworks building

Works to the existing Printworks building are ongoing. Under the conditions of British Land’s 2022 Reserved Matters Application (RMA), planning permission was granted by Southwark Council to begin these enabling works on the Printworks building. This work will help make way for the new public routes and destinations, including the 3.5-acre Park. The works will continue until autumn this year and are outlined below. 

  • Wates are removing cladding, roofing, internal floor slabs and the building's adjacent warehouses. You may notice the presence of larger machinery, including two mobile tower cranes on site to facilitate this.  
  • Increased vehicle movement within the site compound and along Surrey Quays Road to deliver materials.
  • Part of the building’s existing structural frame will be kept for the construction stage. 

We are conscious of the impact of construction works on our site neighbours. As well as implementing stringent mitigation measures, Wates carefully monitor noise, dust, and vibration to ensure they’re operating safely and within the limits set by Southwark Council. Wates’ working methods include constant dust suppression during demolition activities using a variety of hoses and misters at source and at the site boundary.

When necessary, excessively noisy works will take place for 2 hours, and then pause for 2 hours, to minimise disruption. During the 2-hour break, other less noisy construction activity may still take place.

Minimising disruption during the construction process

We’re committed to managing the impact of construction works so that disruption to the local area is minimised.

Before construction work begins, a Construction Management Plan for the work site is agreed with Southwark Council. The plan outlines how our construction works will take place as well as what mitigations will be put in place to minimise the impact on the local community during the works. This includes site operating hours, noise and vibration mitigation measures, and traffic measurement. To download the Masterplan Framework Construction Management Plan please click here.

We also require all our contractors to be signed up to the Considerate Constructors Scheme, which is a not for profit independent organisation founded to raise standards in the construction industry. All constructors signed up to the scheme must make every effort to ensure their site teams care about the appearance of the site, respect the local community, protect the environment, secure everyone’s safety, and value their workforce.

Throughout the construction process we will also ensure that the local community has access to the latest information on the key works taking place across the Masterplan through regular meetings and updates, so that you can easily get in touch with the team with any questions or to raise any issues relating to the construction works.

Dedicated Construction Neighbourhood Liaison Manager

British Land has appointed a dedicated Construction Neighbourhood Liaison Manager to honour our commitment to minimise disruption for local residents, businesses and people who work and visit the area.

The Construction Neighbourhood Liaison Manager is working with all contractors on site, ensuring that neighbours are kept regularly updated and will respond promptly to any issues or questions that arise. If you have any questions about these works or would like to speak with the Construction Neighbourhood Liaison Manager please contact [email protected] or call 0800 470 4593 (freephone).

Keeping you updated

Construction Liaison Forums


We hold regular meetings to provide an opportunity to hear from and speak to our contractors about ongoing construction activity. Details of our upcoming meetings will be updated on this page.

In addition to our forums, we also send regular updates as construction progresses via our e-newsletters, web updates, social media posts and site signage.

Neighbours living near locations where construction activity is taking place receive regular newsletters and have regular opportunities to speak with the Construction Neighbourhood Liaison Manager and relevant contractor. All dates for future construction events will be available on this webpage, once organised.
 

To view the presentations from our previous Construction Liaison Forums, visit our downloads page.

Working hours

Standard construction working hours as permitted by Southwark Council are:

  • Monday – Friday 8am-6pm
  • Saturday – 8am-2pm (no noisy works before 9am)

Our contractors are using every measure possible to reduce noise impact from their sites and continue to use noise monitoring equipment to continuously monitor noise levels to ensure they are at an acceptable level, as permitted by Southwark Council. When necessary, excessively noisy works take place on a 2 hour on/off basis to minimise disruption. This generally relates to demolition works. However, this does not mean that there are 2-hour periods of inactivity in between.

In the event that working hours change, or as and when overnight works are required, we will update this web page.

Drone Operation

Drones will occasionally survey the development site, however these will primarily operate within British Land’s property. All flights associated with the development comply with legislation and guidance defined by the Civil Aviation Authority and details of any flights will be posted on this webpage.