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. 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, including Plots A1, A2 and K1, 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.
Plot 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 residential homes, alongside retail and office space. Expected completion is in winter 2024.
Wates is the main contractor building Plot A1. The office block of the building is now structurally complete, and the residential tower is taking shape now the core is complete. The façade of the building and the internal fitout have begun.
Wates has produced a helpful note which provides more detail on how we monitor and record construction activities on Plot A1:
The working hours at Plot A1 have adjusted to allow an additional hour either side of standard working hours to enable the use of the two passenger hoists on the main tower. One hoist is located along the Deal Porters Way side and another along the Surrey Quays Road side, both of which are within the site boundary. This work has been approved by Southwark Council and the working hours of the hoist will be as follows:
Monday to Friday: 7am to 7pm, with standard construction works only permitted from 8am to 6pm
Saturday: 8am to 3pm, with standard construction works only permitted from 9am to 2pm
The hoist will run no earlier than the agreed limit of 7am. During the additional time each day, only hoist related activities will take place. This will also include the required safety checks on each hoist. Wates will continue to monitor all site activities to ensure permittable noise threshold levels are not exceeded.
Plot A2
Plot A2 will include a leisure centre for Southwark Council at ground and basement level, retail and food outlets along the new High Street, and workspace at the upper levels. Expected completion is in autumn 2024.
Mace, the main contractor building Plot A2, continues to install the steel frame and precast concrete slabs. For this element of the work, large steel frame components are transported to site and lifted into place using both tower and mobile cranes. Precast slabs are then fitted to the steel work to create the floor slab on each level. This is completed with the concrete topping of the floor slabs which requires concrete to be poured from mobile pumps that are visible above the hoarding line.
Mace has erected scaffolding to the perimeter of the building to allow for cladding installation. The scaffolding is full perimeter scaffolding (excluding the elevation facing Canada Dock) and up to the full height of the building, and is fully encased in branded monarflex (a scaffold sheeting). The cladding is installed internally, within the encased scaffold, and is programmed to complete in early 2024.
Internally, the blockwork wall construction is progressing well and the first mechanical, electrical and plumbing elements are being introduced to the basement areas.
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.
Two tower cranes are now in operation at Plot A2. Cranes will not oversail residential properties at any time during operation.
Haul road and vehicle access
The entrance to the haul road is on Lower Road. Traffic marshals are located on Lower Road to ensure there is no traffic build up and to ensure safety for all. Construction vehicles access the site via the haul road and leave site via the pit lane along Surrey Quays Road or Deal Porters Way. On occasion, construction traffic will be required to exit onto Lower Road via the haul road. There will also be occasions where vehicles will need to reverse into the haul road due to safety reasons.
From Monday 25th September, the haul road will be closed for three weeks to enable utility works. Throughout the closure, construction vehicles will access Plots A1 and A2 via Deal Porters Way only.
Transport for London (TfL) works
TfL have started on site for their improvement works to Surrey Quays Station including a new station entrance, providing step free access, and improving station capacity and accessibility. The next phase of work will involve investigative excavation works within Lower Road and there will be some traffic management in place during this time. TfL have written to close by neighbours to inform them of the work taking place from October which is to enable the diversion of utilities. These works include construction of a new station entrance, providing step free access, improved station capacity and accessibility.
Canada Dock
Work to revitalise the dock continues, including laying foundations for the southern steps, boardwalk construction and landscaping. The new 170-metre boardwalk is scheduled to complete in late spring 2024 and landscaping is scheduled to finish in late summer 2024. Works in and around the dock include:
- Hoarding along the southern edge of the dock will be in place until autumn 2024. Due to construction the footpath width along the southern edge of the dock has been reduced to 3m temporarily. We expect this restriction to be in place until summer 2024.
- Works to lay the foundations for the southern steps have begun and are due to complete in early 2024.
- Boardwalk construction is ongoing, which will be followed by the installation of timber to the structure. To facilitate this there will be timber and steel deliveries to the dock site compound as well as earthworks and works to the dock wall on the western edge. You may notice an increase in vehicles in the area during this time and to enable the manoeuvre of delivery vehicles, a limited number of car parking spaces will be restricted temporarily.
- Landscaping is taking place in phases as construction progresses.
All works will take place during standard construction hours and we aim to minimise disruption as much as possible.
To enable work in the dock, the Deal Porters sculpture has been safely removed and stored in a specialist sub-contractor warehouse in Bristol where it is being refurbished. Refurbishment works include the repair and replacement of oak elements, the cleaning and repair of the steel arc and the treatment of cast figures. In winter 2023, following the completion of the work to the sculpture, the sculpture will be reinstated in the same position in the dock, although at a slightly higher elevation to provide a better view and interact with the new walkway.
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. Mitigation measures include the provision of a silt curtain which runs to the full depth of the dock and prevents the spread of water containing sediment. Monthly water quality testing is being carried out which has met the required standards.
Quebec Way and surrounding areas
Plot K1
Once complete, Plot K1 will provide 79 council homes and be six storeys at its maximum height, reducing to five storeys towards Russia Dock Woodland. Completion is expected towards the end of 2023 when the site will be handed over to Southwark Council.
The building works are now complete and the internal fit-out is scheduled to complete in the autumn. External works started in May, consisting of the excavation and preparation of areas for paving. Landscaping is also ongoing, including the planting of trees, shrubs and wildflowers to promote biodiversity and provide sufficient resources for pollinators in time for summer. In early autumn, the project will start to complete each floor, followed by the demobilisation of site amenities.
We’re using best practice methods and machinery to limit disruption as far as possible. McAleer & Rushe 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 K1.
Heavy Goods Vehicles access the site from Quebec Way via Redriff Road and smaller vehicles are permitted to use Canada Street. Traffic will be safely coordinated by our traffic marshals with the safety of neighbouring residents and school children paramount. We continue to adhere to the weekday restrictions which prohibit construction traffic using Roberts Close during school drop off and pick up times. Roberts Close will stay open as a pedestrian route from Quebec Way to Russia Walk and Russia Dock Woodland throughout construction.
Below-ground substation (Zone L)
Progress continues on the new, below-ground substation for UK Power Networks (UKPN), at the rear of Printworks by Quebec Way, which will supply power to the Canada Water development as well as the wider community. The substation structure is now complete and Galldris have handed over the completed structure to UKPN who are undertaking the fit out/installation section of works to allow for the main works to take place. Galldris will return in autumn 2023 to install covers over the transformer bays, before UKPN return to continue with the fit out/installation. The site will reach full operation by late 2025.
Works being undertaken by UK Power Networks
UK Power Networks will shortly begin work in the newly constructed below ground substation located at the rear of the Printworks, on Quebec Way. UK Power Networks will be installing state of the art electricity equipment in the newly built substation in stages. UK Power Networks have positioned welfare cabins on site and deliveries for the electricity equipment is ongoing. You may notice an increase in vehicular movement along Quebec Way during this time, however UK Power Networks will aim to minimise disruption where possible.
UK Power Networks commenced cable installation works within Southwark last year. These new cables will supply the electricity for the new substation. Later in the year, UK Power Networks will begin cable route works around New Cross Substation by installing cable ducts underground. Notice will be provided by letter ahead of the works conducted by UKPN.
Zone H
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.
The Printworks building
Works on the existing Printworks building will begin this autumn and will involve the removal of cladding, roofing and internal floor slabs. The steel frame structure of the building will be kept for the construction stage. Nearby residents will be written to in advance of the works beginning.
Vehicles will access the site from Surrey Quays Road. This work will help make way for the new public routes and destinations, including the 3.5-acre Park.
Zone F enabling works
From 10th October, trial hole surveys will be conducted along Surrey Quays Road and Redriff Road. The work will take two weeks. Traffic management will be in place whilst works are undertaken. We will aim to minimise disruption as much as possible.
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
In addition to our forums and drop-ins, we also send regular updates as construction progresses via our e-newsletters, web updates, social media posts and site signage.
Keeping you updated
Construction Liaison Forums and drop-ins
We hold regular meetings to provide an opportunity to hear from and speak to our contractors about ongoing construction activity. Details of our upcoming meetings will be updated on this page.
In addition to our 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. All dates for future construction events will be available on this webpage, once organised.
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.