Salamander News
salamandernews.org
Salamander News
@salamandernews.org
Independent news for Lewisham, SE London. Community, housing, transport, more ... with a climate and nature lens. London's only local news co-op. www.salamandernews.org
CCS comes to SE London -

plan is to dispose of captured CO2 far out under North Sea

Is it dangerous and will it work?

www.salamandernews.org/ccs-comes-to...
CCS comes to SE London: climate solution or fossil fuel scam? | Salamander News
Campaigners brace for irreparable harm to Crossness nature reserve on Erith Marshes, while the government justifies it, declaring the UK's "urgent need for new CCS". But does its argument stack up?
www.salamandernews.org
February 16, 2026 at 12:51 PM
Nature is hanging on by its fingernails at Crossness nature reserve on Erith marshes

But govt has approved more destruction for a 'critical climate solution' - CCS

www.salamandernews.org/will-we-lose...
Will we lose Crossness nature reserve for the 'false promise' of CCS | Salamander News
Cory has built two incinerators next to the reserve, and 'nature is hanging on by its fingernails'. Both incinerators were widely opposed, and the logic behind the firm's proposed carbon capture sche...
www.salamandernews.org
February 16, 2026 at 12:34 PM
Is the Catford Station Links project finally happening?

salamandernews.org/is-catford-s...
Is Catford Station Links project moving at last? | Salamander News
After years of delays, Lewisham deputy mayor Louise Krupski said she could "absolutely guarantee this is happening".
salamandernews.org
February 16, 2026 at 12:24 PM
Vigil for cyclist Irene Leardini who was killed in a traffic collision on one of Lewisham's most dangerous roads.

Pictures @tomilyn.bsky.social

@lewishamcyclists.bsky.social

salamandernews.org/irene-should...
'Irene should not have lost her life here' - vigil for cyclist at New Cross Road | Salamander News
The community gathered to remember Irene Leardini who was killed in a traffic collision on 20 January, and to call for change along the dangerous road.
salamandernews.org
February 7, 2026 at 11:21 AM
Reposted by Salamander News
I'm tired of having to walk my cycle the last block home, playing frogger trying to cross the street, and reporting broken bollards. New Cross deserves healthy and safe streets.

My op-ed this morning: salamandernews.org/give-new-cro...

@salamandernews.org #Lewisham #london #tfl
Give New Cross the streets it deserves | Salamander News
Tomilyn Hannah Rupert calls for immediate action to transform the Amersham junction from a deadly highway into a healthy street.
salamandernews.org
February 6, 2026 at 9:19 AM
Co-founder of Greenwich Palestine Alliance is taking legal action against Greenwich council

due to its failure to divest.

www.salamandernews.org/campaigner-l...
Campaigner launches legal action against Greenwich council for failure to divest | Salamander
Lubna Speitan, co-founder of Greenwich Palestine Alliance, has instigated legal action against Greenwich Council, challenging the authority’s failure to divest over £60m of investments in companies wi...
www.salamandernews.org
February 3, 2026 at 6:21 PM
Lewisham Deputy mayor Louise Krupski says that user share of rental e-bikes has rocketed and that's a good thing:

www.salamandernews.org/excellent-ne...
'Excellent news': Lewisham on brink of new agreement with Forest and Lime e-bike operators
Councillor Louise Krupski, Cabinet member on Sustainable Development, announced the news, noting that user share of rented e-bikes has "rocketed" across the borough.
www.salamandernews.org
February 3, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Lewisham council plans rubber crumb football pitch at Whitefoot Lane, Downham.

Rubber crumb pitches will be banned in the EU and NI, due to dangers to young players.

But in England, it's all good.

Wonder where EU's unwanted rubber crumb will end up?

www.salamandernews.org/council-igno...
Council ignores health risks in plans for rubber crumb pitch at Whitefoot Lane, Downham | Salamander News
Cabinet member Sakina Sheikh presented officer advice on rubber crumb which ignores health risks to players and workers, in her answers at the full council meeting on 28 January.
www.salamandernews.org
February 3, 2026 at 6:13 PM
filming for today's #bbclaurak
February 1, 2026 at 10:25 AM
@zackpolanski.bsky.social was in Gorton and Denton yesterday morning

and Crofton Park, Lewisham later in the afternoon

Salamander got an interview .. after the BBC and The Guardian

www.salamandernews.org/zack-polansk...
Zack Polanski comes to Lewisham as Greens report surge in support
Green Party leader Zack Polanski arrived in Crofton Park to support Green councillor Liam Shrivastava's bid for Lewisham mayor, and the party's candidates in the local elections. A media posse follow...
www.salamandernews.org
February 1, 2026 at 10:18 AM
After a record 1202 objections, Lewisham planning committee defers the decision on Blackheath station carpark.

But some spoke in favour ...

www.salamandernews.org/blackheath-l...
Blackheath: Lewisham defers decision on controversial plans for station car park
Officers had recommended Acorn's plans to build 45 homes on the site, but after four hours of debate, councillors on Lewisham's planning committee unanimously agreed to defer their decision.
www.salamandernews.org
January 28, 2026 at 9:38 PM
Reposted by Salamander News
David Holloway finds Lewisham council set against cross-pavement EV charging

and residents missing out on the benefits

www.salamandernews.org/good-news-fo...
Good news for EV owners - if you live in Greenwich, anyway.
Greenwich has announced an EV cross-pavement charging trial, but Lewisham is dragging its heels.
www.salamandernews.org
January 24, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Reposted by Salamander News
Irish Times finds one Dublin datacentre uses same power as 200,000 homes.

Join Climate Action Lewisham & @foxglovelegal.bsky.social

Thursday 29 Jan
January 26, 2026 at 10:56 AM
David Holloway finds Lewisham council set against cross-pavement EV charging

and residents missing out on the benefits

www.salamandernews.org/good-news-fo...
Good news for EV owners - if you live in Greenwich, anyway.
Greenwich has announced an EV cross-pavement charging trial, but Lewisham is dragging its heels.
www.salamandernews.org
January 24, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Reposted by Salamander News
Leaseholders in Woolwich face being stuck with bills of over £3,000 per year for parking spaces they may not even use because of a council deal with a property developer.

The leaseholders estimate that Greenwich Council has lost over £3 million on the deal.

greenwichwire.co.uk/2026/01/22/v...
Woolwich leaseholders facing £3,000 bills for parking spaces they don't use - The Greenwich Wire
Leaseholders in Woolwich face being stuck with bills of over £3,000 per year for parking spaces they may not even use because of a Greenwich Council deal with its freeholder.
greenwichwire.co.uk
January 22, 2026 at 12:28 PM
How's Lewisham doing on Awaab's Law?

update on housing

www.salamandernews.org/awaabs-law-h...
Awaab's Law - how is Lewisham council doing?
Lewisham council's housing select committee questioned officers on repairs, provision of homeless temporary accommodation and council rent increases.
www.salamandernews.org
January 24, 2026 at 7:56 PM
Goldsmiths plan a new campus in Catford.

No one has mentioned housing pressures ..

www.salamandernews.org/goldsmiths-p...
Goldsmiths plans new campus at Old Town Hall in Catford
The university's plans will bring over 600 students to Catford town centre, in a partnership agreement with Lewisham council.
www.salamandernews.org
January 24, 2026 at 7:53 PM
What are hyperscale AI datacentres doing to local communities?

18 planned datacentres in Thames Water's area.

Join Climate Action Lewisham with tech justice group Foxglove on 29 January

www.salamandernews.org/what-are-ai-...
What are AI datacentres doing to local communities?
The growth in hyperscale data centres is creating intense pressure on energy and water resources around the world. How will it affect us in London?
www.salamandernews.org
January 24, 2026 at 7:49 PM
There's a new link to Cycleway 62 at Ilderton Road/Old Kent Road.

The prospect of cycling safely from Rotherhithe to Peckham just got a little bit closer.

@tomilyn.bsky.social @lewishamcyclists.bsky.social

www.salamandernews.org/old-kent-roa...
Old Kent Road: new link to Cycleway 62 at Ilderton Road | Salamander
The new segment brings the prospect of safe cycling from Rotherhithe to Peckham a bit closer. It is surrounded by high density new development of the Old Kent Road opportunity area.
www.salamandernews.org
January 11, 2026 at 3:45 PM
How did Lewisham do in government's Fair Funding shake-up?

How did your council do?

Wildly different outcomes across London, we've compared the figures for you ..

www.salamandernews.org/how-did-lewi...
How did Lewisham do in government's fair funding shake up??
The government's new formula for allocating grant funding to councils had wildly differing outcomes across London boroughs.
www.salamandernews.org
January 11, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Greenwich councillor Lakshan Saldin joins Greens,

saying Labour has diverged from the values he believes in.

www.salamandernews.org/greenwich-co...
Greenwich councillor Lakshan Saldin joins Greens | Salamander
Councillor Saldin, who sits for Charlton Hornfair ward, said that over the last few years the Labour Party has diverged from the values it once held.
www.salamandernews.org
January 11, 2026 at 3:29 PM
On 23 December, GLA transport committee wrote a blistering letter calling out TfL's 'policy failure' on Zipcar.

Lewisham council looking for other options ..

www.salamandernews.org/zipcar-londo...
Zipcar: London Assembly slams TfL 'policy failure' | Salamander Lewisham
GLA Transport Committee called out TfL for its failure to act on their early warning, while Lewisham council looks for other options for staff journeys.
www.salamandernews.org
January 11, 2026 at 3:26 PM
The London County Council made an astonishing investment in public art in the 1950s and 60s .. around 70 sculptures, murals and paintings have survived.

If you want to track them down, start here:

www.salamandernews.org/murals-resto...
Murals at Foxborough Gardens, Ladywell restored - 1960s public art for 'ordinary people'
The local community celebrated the official reopening of the restored murals, created by the London County Council (LCC) artist William Mitchell.
www.salamandernews.org
December 28, 2025 at 4:24 PM