WIREDGOV

The London Development Agency is to provide £4 million to the Bankside Urban Forest - a programme of works to improve public space in the Southwark Bankside area, stretching from the riverside to the Elephant and Castle.

The Bankside Urban Forest improvements will make the most of the planned extension of Tate Modern and new Blackfriars Station on the Thames Path. The project will make safe and attractive routes from the riverside to public transport links and draw some of the 12 million people who visit the riverside each year into the wider Bankside area.

The first LDA-funded projects will be at Great Guildford Street and Flat Iron Square.

Bankside Urban Forest is part of 'London's Great Outdoors', the Mayor's overall vision for transforming the capital's public spaces. The three-year plan sets out his commitment to champion the improvement of public spaces in London and their contribution to the quality of life in the capital.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said:

"London's Great Outdoors programme is creating a network of attractive public spaces across the capital. Work to improve the Bankside area will not only link together the Tate Modern and the upgraded Blackfriars Station, but will now stretch from the river as far as Elephant and Castle. This important project will open up long overlooked areas of historical interest and create better access for residents and visitors alike."

London Development Agency Deputy Chief Executive Peter Bishop said:

"Well designed public spaces can define an entire area. These changes in Bankside will open up the area and spread the regeneration centred around Tate Modern - creating a Great Space that is an attractive place to live, visit and invest in."

Sir Nicholas Serota, Director, Tate said:

"Over the last twelve years we have seen Bankside become a destination for visitors from all over the world. Cultural activity at Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe and Borough Market have been central in this success. I am delighted with this major investment in the Bankside Urban Forest. This funding, and the unique partnership that will deliver it, will now also give us a world class public realm as we look forward to London 2012 and be of great benefit to those who live, work and visit."

The Bankside Urban Forest design framework has been developed by Witherford Watson Mann architects and overseen by a local coalition led by Better Bankside and including Southwark Council, Cross River Partnership, Tate Modern, the Architecture Foundation, Design for London and the London Development Agency.

Better Bankside Chief Executive Peter Williams said:

"This announcement of major backing from the Mayor comes fast on the heels of the endorsement we received from local businesses. They have voted overwhelmingly in favour of contributing over £5 million into our programme over the next five years, bringing the total new investment to £10 million."