Mayor unveils new bigger, brighter, greener Windrush Square in Brixton

New public space in Lambeth creates focal point for residents

Improved square includes new water feature, better lighting and more open spaces

Following a nine month makeover and a GLA Group investment of £9.7m, a new-look Windrush Square was officially opened by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, in Brixton today (Friday, 26th February). The Mayor was joined by Tessa Jowell, Minister for London, Lambeth Council leader Steve Reed, and Windrush veterans who travelled to the UK on Empire Windrush in 1948.

Work on the square, which is a flagship project of the Mayor of London’s Great Outdoors Programme, has been carried out by Transport for London in partnership with Lambeth Council, Design for London, and the London Development Agency. The area has now been transformed into a community focused space in the heart of Brixton adding a much-needed venue for local events.

The new square has been designed to fit in with the historic character of the area. Following consultation with the local community it was clear that they wanted a space that would be safe and well used, that would respect the history of the area and add to the life of the town centre.  The new space now includes a water feature, over twenty new trees,  and a sculptured granite seat. Improved lighting and additional CCTV coverage have also been added to improve public safety and security on the square. 

Brixton residents, businesses and organisations were asked to help choose a new name and the popular choice was to remain with the original Windrush Square. It commemorates the arrival of the Empire  Windrush from Jamaica in 1948. The ship carrying 492 immigrants symbolises the beginnings of modern British multicultural society for many Londoners.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “Ever since the time of the ancient Greeks, public spaces have brought together communities to share, play and enjoy life. The new Windrush Square is a welcome new focal point for culture, entertainment and relaxation for the thriving and creative community in Brixton reinforcing London’s popularity as a place to live in, visit and invest.”   

"It is fitting the name 'Windrush Square' remains almost 62 years after the first West Indian immigrants arrived on the Empire Windrush, many choosing to make Lambeth their home. The positive contribution that this community has made not only to Brixton, but the whole of London and the UK is unmistakable.”

Minister for London, Tessa Jowell, said: “This new square is exactly what Brixton needs – an iconic focal point for an iconic part of London. With the new water feature, more open space and improved lighting, it will become a much loved part of Brixton life and will be host to local celebrations for years to come. Talking of which, I hope all of Brixton will come out this weekend and join in the opening celebrations. Let’s start as we mean to go on.”

Cllr Steve Reed, leader of Lambeth Council, said: “We are proud of Brixton, and the new Windrush Square is the kind of high quality public space that the town and its people deserve. The public celebrations on the square on the 27 and 28 February will be a fitting way to celebrate the new Windrush Square and I hope as many people as possible come and enjoy the activities.”

The completion of the square now means that work on the Brixton Town Centre improvement scheme has almost been completed. The works, which began in 2006, will be completed by late 2010 and have already delivered a number of improvements to the roads and pavements around Brixton Town Centre. In November 2009, the gyratory system around St Matthews Church was removed and Brixton Hill widened to allow two-way traffic. These changes have helped improve road safety and access to the town centre.

David Brown, Managing Director of Surface Transport at TfL said: “The improvement works in Brixton Town Centre have already delivered a range of benefits to local residents and the opening of the new Windrush Square means that the works are nearing completion.  TfL is now working to complete the final stages of this scheme, which we hope to have finished by late 2010.”

The London Development Agency is working alongside Lambeth to increase Brixton's economic viability by attracting private and public investment. This includes LDA support for the Black Cultural Archives development whose objective is to collect, preserve and celebrate the history and culture of black people in Britain.

Peter Bishop, Group Director, Design Development and Environment, London Development Agency said: ‘Windrush Square is a terrific, beautifully designed new space for all of the people of Brixton to enjoy at the heart of their town centre.  This is the result of lots of hard work by the local community, the LDA, Design for London, Lambeth Council, TfL and a top notch designer in Gross Max. We want to continue to work closely with Lambeth on their future plans to enhance the distinctive character of the town centre and harness the energy of Brixton’s creative and cultural industries.’ 

Ends

Notes to Editors:

1.    For further information regarding the Brixton Town Centre improvement project, visit www.tfl.gov.uk/windrushsquare

2.    The new Windrush Square now joins Tate Gardens and the original section of Windrush Square together

3.    In 1998 an area of public space in Brixton was renamed Windrush Square to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the arrival of West Indians in Brixton and the surrounding area.

4.    The LDA has provided £175k of funding for Black Cultural Archives over the last two years.

5.    Celebrations marking the completion of the work on the square will take place over the weekend. On Saturday afternoon, a lantern-lit procession led by local children will parade through Brixton and in the evening spectators will be wowed by a firework display. Throughout the afternoon on both days there will be live music and dance performances, artistic workshops and family activities, letting local residents see the newly completed square being used for the first time.

 About the Mayor’s Great Outdoors programme

‘London's Great Outdoors - A Manifesto for Public Space’ is supported by two practical guides, ‘Better Streets’ and ‘Better Green and Water Spaces’. Together they set out the Mayor of London’s vision for improving public spaces in London.  This will ensure that our streets, squares, parks and green and water spaces are fit for a great world city, are enjoyed by everyone who visits them and most importantly, help improve the quality of life in the capital.

They are accompanied by an implementation plan that will see £220 million invested in over 50 public realm improvement projects over the next three years, funding for which comes from Transport for London, The London Development Agency and London’s boroughs as well as other sources. The measures include redesigned streets, which can be shared by both the pedestrians and vehicles and reclaimed derelict green spaces and underused waterways.

The manifesto and guides have been written and produced by the Greater London Authority, London Development Agency, Design for London and Transport for London.  For further information please go to www.london.gov.uk/greatoutdoors