'Pocket plazas' for Bermondsey and London Bridge

Shipwright Yard, now the main approach to Southwark Playhouse, has been given a timber surface and and illuminated red channel to lead theatre-goers into the railway arches.

The other two projects are Melior Street Community Garden where fruit and vegetables are being grown and Snowsfields which has been given a wide York stone pavement in keeping with the conservation area.

"We went out to tender to three local firms," said Team London Bridge chair James Dinwiddie at a celebratory reception held at The Glasshouse in Melior Place. "We wanted to use local labour services wherever possible.

"We also wanted use the history of the area and reflect that in the designs."

Phil Heaton of Cracknell landscape architects in Holyrood Street said that it was the first time marine hardened timber decking has been used in a London street. The wood at Shipwright Yard comes from a downstream jetty.

James Dinwiddie reminded the guests that Team London Bridge BID (business improvement district) was approaching the end of its five year term. Business ratepayers will be asked next autumn to vote as to whether they wish the BID to continue for a further five years.