Cleaning up the Elephant

The project is part of the Elephant Impacts environmental improvement programme, funded by the Elephant Links regeneration partnership and Transport for London. Elephant Impacts aims to provide physical improvements to Elephant and Castle ahead of the forthcoming £1.5billion regeneration scheme.

The subway improvement project includes substantial cleaning of tunnels and replacement of lights to provide a better quality CCTV image. Research shows that people don't like using the subways as they are perceived as being dirty, dangerous and confusing. Between 700 and 3,000 people move through the subways every hour.

The subways will eventually be removed and replaced with wide street level crossings. The LDA and TfL are supporting the removal of the southern roundabout, due for completion in the 2006 financial year.

The railway bridges on New Kent Road and Newington Causeway are being painted, pigeon proofed and cleaned. Multicoloured feature lighting will be also be installed.

"I am really pleased to see these environmental improvements underway at Elephant and Castle," said Southwark deputy leader Catherine Bowman. "The Elephant Impacts programme sends a strong visible message that the area is changing for the better. Residents and visitors can enjoy early benefits of the regeneration and feel safer in a better-lit and cleaner local environment."

Other Elephant Impacts projects include the installation of feature lighting for the London College of Communication, the Metropolitan Tabernacle and Metro Central Heights and the installation of vibrant tree lights to enhance streetscapes.

Eleven schools within the Elephant Links regeneration area will benefit from landscape improvements with street banners and lights being installed outside their schools.

Extensive tree planting will also be carried out in the area.