Pathways to the Thames

Peabody has partnered with Sustrans and will be working with local communities to design a path from Southmere Lake, through the former golf course to the Thames. The project is being funded by Peabody and the GLA. 

We’ll run five months of community conversations and design workshops. Together we will work out how to create a path that people can access easily and will want to use. We'll also consider how we can make more space for nature along the way. 

Background

Spending time outdoors in nature is great for health and wellbeing;sowe want to ensure that as many people as possible can walk, wheel and cycle around Thamesmead's parks and green spaces. 

The Thames is less than a mile walk from Southmere Lake, but existing routes are not always clearly marked or accessible for everyone. Barriers and gates that were put in to restrict motorbikes and other vehicles make it difficult for people using wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs to use these pathways and access green spaces.  We want to change this.   

Vision

• Make it easier to walk, wheel and cycle between Southmere Lake and the Thames Path.  

• Create an accessible path through the former golf course that people want to walk, wheel and cycle along.  
• Design a path that helps to increase the different types of plants and wildlife in the area. 

How we will do this

• Get in touch with local organisations and community groups to understand different people’s visions, needs, hopes and concerns.   
• Run pop-up events to hear from people who regularly visit the former golf course and Thames Path, as well as local people who rarely go or have never been.   
• Set up a Community Working Group. We will recruit a small group of people with a connection to the local area. All participants will be employed and paid the London Living Wage for their time, local knowledge and input.    

Get involved!  

• Fill in our online survey here. 
• Write your thoughts on our engagement boards at the former golf course. 
• Keep an eye on this webpage to find out about public events. 
• Apply to join the Community Working Group for this project. This is a part-time paid opportunity for local people. See below for more information on how to apply. 

Upcoming events

Keep an eye on this page for public events so you can meet the team and share your viewsand ideas. You can also follow us onFacebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

Apply to join the Community Working Group!  

Do you...?  

..live local to Crossness/North Thamesmead?  

...love green spaces and spending time in nature?   

…want to have some real influence over plans to improve the green space in Thamesmead?   

We’re looking for eight local people who are enthusiastic about improving their local area for the benefit the whole of the community, particularly those who haven’t who participated in one of our projects before.   

We’ll ask you to come along to workshops with our project team, join us for engagement events and spread the word to people you know. Your input will really help us to shape what this project will look like.   

You’ll be paid London Living Wage for your time and we will ask you to commit to a minimum of 10 hours a month from August to November 2022. No previous experience of landscape design or regeneration is necessary, nor is familiarity with the route or former golf course – enthusiasm and a genuine interest in the project are most important!  

If this sounds like something you’d like to get involved in, then please see the below to find out more about the role. 

• Community Working Group - Role profile
• Pathways to the Thames - FAQs

How to Apply 

Fill out the application form here.  

Deadline for applications is Sunday 24 July at midnight. 

Interviews will be held on 1 & 2 August.  

If you’d like to have a discussion about the role or would like some assistance filling out the application form, please call Sarah-Jane Day, Information and Engagement Manager for Thamesmead, on 020 3828 3671.