Construction activity

Upcoming 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 are as follows:

Printworks and the surrounding area   

Date: Thursday 23 May  

Time: 6:30pm - 7:30pm   

Location: TEDI-London, 11 Quebec Way, London, SE16 7LG   

To register your attendance, please contact [email protected] or call 0800 470 4593 (freephone). To view the presentations from our previous Construction Liaison Forums, visit our downloads page.

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, is 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 redesigned Deal Porters Way, 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, expected to complete by the end of May.

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. 

On Saturday 25 May, a mobile crane will be used within the A2 site to lift panels to the roof level of the building. The mobile crane will enter site via Lower Road and will be used during standard construction hours.

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’ work in the Dock Office courtyard 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 this summer. 

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. Mace vehicles exit site via Deal Porters Way, and Wates’ exit via the pit lane along Surrey Quays Road. On occasion, construction traffic will be required to exit onto Lower Road via the haul road. There will also be occasions where vehicles will need to reverse into the haul road due to safety reasons.

Canada Dock

The new 170-metre boardwalk and landscaping works are scheduled to complete later this year. 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.
• Landscaping is taking place in phases as construction progresses. Over the next few weeks, the link bridge will be lifted into position using a crane. Next month, reclaimed timber benches on the southern steps will be installed. 
• Due to the construction of the steps along the southern edge of the dock, a hoarding has been installed, reducing the footpath width to 3m temporarily. 
• This month, temporary heras fencing will be installed between the area of Maritime Street and The Range to facilitate drainage connections. These works will include breaking out the ground and will take a few days and the impact is expected to be minimal. 
• Pedestrian access to the dock from Surrey Quays Road (in the corner next of Maritime Street) is currently restricted. Later this summer, the hoarding will be realigned on Maritime Street and pedestrians will be directed around the hoarding to and from Surrey Quays Road.
• From Monday 20 May, Galldris will start works to the pavement outside of Canada Water Library. Pedestrians will be directed around the works and a hoarding will be installed to ensure safety is always maintained. To facilitate the works, a small number of bike racks will be temporarily suspended whilst the works are carried out. Before and during the work we kindly ask people to use alternative racks along Deal Porters Way and in Deal Porter Square. Once works are completed later in the summer, the bike racks will be reinstated in the same location. Pedestrian access to
• Canada Water station and the library will be maintained as the works are conducted. 
  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 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.

Quebec Way and surrounding areas 

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

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 run the electricity network delivering power to the area, have begun work installing state of the art electrical equipment in the newly built substation. These works will continue until late 2025. 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 began cable installation works within Southwark last year. These cables will supply the new substation from the nearby New Cross Substation where upgrade works are underway. 

UK Power Networks have begun installing underground electricity cables along Surrey Quays Road. To facilitate the work, there will be traffic management in place along Surrey Quays Road, from the junction of Lower Road to Needleman Street. This is expected to be in place until the autumn. The work will involve excavating the ground to create short trenches, followed by cabling works. The work is not expected to impact the electricity supply, however there may be some noise from the digging activities during these works. UK Power Networks apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused and will aim to minimise disruption as far as possible. 

Zone H

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

In the Printworks area, construction of new access roads is due to start in early summer. This includes drainage and service installation works as well as asphalting for around three months. The roads remain the construction site boundary and will be resurfaced before opening to the public upon completion of the main works to the Printworks building. 

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 is 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 to deliver materials to site.
• 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 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.

Local road network 

Over the coming months, a number of works are expected to take place on the local road network. These are to support enabling works for the next stage of the development. The latest information can be found below.

Any work on the public highway involves many months of discussion and review before permits are granted by Southwark Council. Regular internal forums are also held with all those operating in the area (including British Land) to co-ordinate work and identify efficiencies. This includes discussing impacts on those using local roads. It’s this level of coordination that has resulted in the agreed sequencing and timing of the works in the local area.

We appreciate that there will be disruption while this work is carried out and thank you for your ongoing patience. 

Deal Porters Way 
Work along Deal Porters Way has reduced traffic to a single lane travelling northbound only. The diversion route for southbound traffic is via Surrey Quays Road. This means traffic accessing Surrey Quays Shopping Centre will need to enter via the Tesco end of the car park but near Canada Water Station. Pedestrian access along Deal Porters Way is maintained. We expect this to be in place until the end of July. During the month of August, we expect a complete closure of Deal Porters Way. This is to allow for further work that can’t be completed with only one lane closure. We strive to maintain pedestrian access along Deal Porters Way where possible. 

The current 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 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.

Lower Road
To complete recent utility connections into the development from Lower Road, in early summer we expect temporary traffic lights to be installed along Lower Road. A bus stop suspension is also expected. 

Redriff Road
In early summer, utility connection works will take place along Redriff Road for around two weeks. We expect this will require a single lane closure. 

Surrey Quays Road 
This summer, to enable the development, some of the existing utility services in the area need to be diverted. Utility companies will start work in the carriageway of Surrey Quays Road. Temporary traffic lights will be in place along Surrey Quays Road opposite Frankie and Benny’s and a bus stop suspension with pedestrians directed to the closest alternative stop. Work is due to complete here in the autumn. 

Quebec Way 
Over the summer, contractor Galldris plan to carry out works to the pavement closest to TEDI London. This will last for around two months and include the suspension of a small number of parking spaces in phases as traffic will be reduced to a single lane. Traffic lights will be in place to control movement of traffic. 

Ecological Monitoring 
From mid-May, specialist Environmental Consultants Greengage will be conducting ecological monitoring for bats and invertebrates around the development until the autumn. This will help us understand what wildlife is currently supported and to identify new opportunities for local wildlife, including supporting protected species.