Construction
Find out how we operate on site, and how to get in touch.
The construction programme for the entire Masterplan will take approximately 10 years. We appreciate that at times construction activity will impact the local community and we’re committed to keeping you updated and managing construction so that disruption in the local area is minimised.
Information on current and upcoming works can be found in our latest newsletter. Please read down for more information on the construction programme and updates, as well as how to get in touch with us.
Plots 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 homes, retail and office space. Building completion is expected in Spring 2025.
Wates, the main contractor building Plot A1, continue their works to the building. Internal works are nearing completion and testing and commissioning is underway. Wates has produced a helpful note which provides more detail on how we monitor and record construction activities on Plot A1.
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. Construction is expected to complete in early 2025, when we will hand the leisure centre to Southwark Council to fit out and take over management. The opening date of Canada Water Leisure Centre will be confirmed in due course and is expected to be in mid-2025.
Mace, the main contractor building Plot A2, have entered the final stages of construction. Internally, the fit out is progressing well. Testing and commissioning is also underway.
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.
Canada Dock
The new 170-metre boardwalk (known as Rafter Walk) is now complete and open to the public. Galldris are completing the final utility connection works in the south-east corner of the dock. To enable this work, pedestrian access to Surrey Quays Road from Maritime Street is temporarily unavailable. We expect this to be in place until mid-December.
Further landscaping works, including the installation of the dipping pond, in the dock are expected to begin in early 2025 and complete by the spring.
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. Monthly water quality testing is being carried out which has met the required standards.
Transport for London (TfL) works
Transport for London continue to build the new station entrance at Surrey Quays station, which will provide step free access and larger platforms. The new station entrance is due to open in summer 2026. Works have progressed well during 2024, with the installation of the glued laminated timber (glulam) roof on the new ticket hall. Preparation is now underway for the overbridge installation in early 2025. In line with the Outline Planning Consent for the development, British Land have made a significant financial contribution towards these station improvements.
Quebec Way and surrounding areas
Below-ground substation (Zone L)
The new below ground substation, located at the rear of the Printworks, on Quebec Way, will supply electricity to the Canada Water development and meet the demands of the local area whilst providing future resilience for local residents and business.
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. As UK Power Networks near the completion of the construction phase, it is expected that all works will be complete and the substation operational in late 2025.
UK Power Networks began cable installation works within Southwark in 2023. These cables will supply the new substation from the nearby New Cross Substation where upgrade works are underway. For more information about UK Power Network’s cable installation works, please refer to the local road network section of this webpage.
Enabling works for Printworks Street and Reel Street (working names)
Construction of new access roads and the installation of new below-ground infrastructure, to facilitate the development is ongoing in the Printworks area. All works are now taking place within the site boundary and include drainage and service installation works and tarmacking of the new roads. Construction of the new roads is anticipated to complete in summer 2024.
Drainage and service works are ongoing within the site compound behind the Printworks building. The works include the installation of drainage infrastructure and tarmacking to create a new road. We aim to minimise disruption as much as possible and noise barriers will be installed around the area of works.
Zone H
The Printworks building
Works to the existing Printworks building to enable the reuse of its frame for the new building are nearing completion, with minor snagging works to continue until early 2025. Under the conditions of British Land’s 2022 Reserved Matters Application (RMA), planning permission was granted by Southwark Council to complete these initial works on the Printworks building.
Zone G
Contractor Erith continue to carry out the soft stripping of non-structural fixtures within the buildings and are also undertaking deconstruction works. Erith carefully monitor noise, dust and vibration to ensure they’re operating safely and within the limits set by Southwark Council.
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 the next stage of the development, such as the diversion of utilities in advance of main construction activity. The latest information can be found below.
Any works on the public highways involve many months of discussion, review, and planning between various stakeholders, including Southwark Council officers, Transport for London (TfL), Statutory Utility providers, and the numerous contractors involved. This is all before agreement is reached and permits are granted by Southwark Council. Regular forums are also held with all these parties operating in the area to co-ordinate, ensure all possible impact is fully considered, and identify efficiencies. This includes discussing and considering impacts on the local community. 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
On the weekend of 4 and 5 January, Wates plan to remove the tower crane located next to Deal Porters Way from the A1 site. To enable this work, the northern end of Deal Porters Way will close to vehicles. Access to Surrey Quays Shopping Centre will remain open via the Tesco end of the car park, and pedestrian access will be maintained along Deal Porters Way. Wates will aim to minimise disruption as much as possible.
From 01:00 – 06:00am on Saturday 11 January, we expect a full closure of Deal Porters Way to allow Transport for London to lift in the overbridge for Surrey Quays Station.
Surrey Quays Road and Redriff Road
Wates plan to remove the final tower crane from the A1 site in spring next year. To facilitate this, we expect the section of Surrey Quays Road from the Dock Office to the junction of Deal Porters Way to close to traffic for two days, likely on a weekend.
UK Power Networks expect to complete cable installation works along Surrey Quays Road from the junction of Lower Road to the junction of Deal Porters Way, requiring a full road closure from 6 January – 27 January. A fully signed diversion route will be in place to help traffic flow. Pedestrian access will be maintained along this section of Surrey Quays Road. UK Power Networks have written to close neighbours in advance of the works and apologise for any disruption.
Thames Water expect to begin utility diversion works along Surrey Quays Road and Redriff Road in early 2025. The works are not expected to impact the water supply and further details will be communicated in due course.
Needleman Street
UK Power Networks are undertaking cable installation works along Needleman Street. To enable these works, Needleman Street will be closed to vehicles in stages. Access to properties and for pedestrians will be maintained at all times and diversion routes will be in place for vehicles.
UK Power Networks will be suspending their works on Needleman Street during the Christmas period from 20 December, with works expected to recommence works in mid-February 2025.
These works are 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.
Quebec Way
Contractor Galldris are carrying out works to the pavement closest to TEDI London. To enable these works, a small number of parking spaces are suspended in phases as traffic is reduced to a single lane. Traffic lights will be in place to control movement of traffic. We expect this to be in place until mid-December.
Brass Talley Alley and Archangel Street
As part of UK Power Network’s cable installation works, temporary traffic lights are in place along Brass Talley Alley and Archangel Street from the junction of Timber Pond Road to Canada Street. On-street parking is also temporarily unavailable in the work area. UK Power Networks will be suspending their works on Brass Talley Alley and Archangel Street during the Christmas period from 20 December, with works expected to recommence from 6 January 2025.
Minimising disruption during the construction process
We’re committed to managing the impact of construction works so that disruption to the local area is minimised.
Before construction work begins, a Construction Management Plan for the work site is agreed with Southwark Council. The plan outlines how our construction works will take place as well as what mitigations will be put in place to minimise the impact on the local community during the works. This includes site operating hours, noise and vibration mitigation measures, and traffic measurement. To download the Masterplan Framework Construction Management Plan please click here.
We also require all our contractors to be signed up to the Considerate Constructors Scheme, which is a not for profit independent organisation founded to raise standards in the construction industry. All constructors signed up to the scheme must make every effort to ensure their site teams care about the appearance of the site, respect the local community, protect the environment, secure everyone’s safety, and value their workforce.
Throughout the construction process we will also ensure that the local community has access to the latest information on the key works taking place across the Masterplan through regular meetings and updates, so that you can easily get in touch with the team with any questions or to raise any issues relating to the construction works.
Dedicated Construction Neighbourhood Liaison Manager
British Land has appointed a dedicated Construction Neighbourhood Liaison Manager to honour our commitment to minimise disruption for local residents, businesses and people who work and visit the area.
The Construction Neighbourhood Liaison Manager is working with all contractors on site, ensuring that neighbours are kept regularly updated and will respond promptly to any issues or questions that arise. If you have any questions about these works or would like to speak with the Construction Neighbourhood Liaison Manager please contact team@canadawater.co.uk or call 0800 470 4593 (freephone).
Keeping you updated
We hold regular meetings to provide an opportunity to hear from and speak to our contractors about ongoing construction activity. Details of any upcoming meetings are available at the top of this page when organised.
In addition to our Construction Liaison Forums, we also send regular updates as construction progresses via our e-newsletters, web updates, social media posts and site signage.
Neighbours living near locations where construction activity is taking place receive regular newsletters and have regular opportunities to speak with the Construction Neighbourhood Liaison Manager and relevant contractor.
To view the presentations from our previous Construction Liaison Forums, visit our downloads page.
Working hours
Standard construction working hours as permitted by Southwark Council are:
- Monday – Friday 8am-6pm
- Saturday – 8am-2pm (no noisy works before 9am)
Our contractors are using every measure possible to reduce noise impact from their sites and continue to use noise monitoring equipment to continuously monitor noise levels to ensure they are at an acceptable level, as permitted by Southwark Council. When necessary, excessively noisy works take place on a 2 hour on/off basis to minimise disruption. This generally relates to demolition works. However, this does not mean that there are 2-hour periods of inactivity in between.
In the event that working hours change, or as and when overnight works are required, we will update this web page.
Drone Operation
Drones will occasionally survey the development site, however these will primarily operate within British Land’s property. All flights associated with the development comply with legislation and guidance defined by the Civil Aviation Authority and details of any flights will be posted on this webpage.