In May last year, we cut the ribbon on the reimagined Hercules Road – a £325,000 transformation delivered in partnership with Lambeth Council and South Bank and Waterloo Neighbours, with support from Cross River Partnership, the Mayor of London, the GLA and Lambeth’s Capital Investment Programme.
The project set out to turn a grey, car-dominated stretch of road into something greener, more welcoming and more resilient. Twelve months later, the change is showing – not just in how the street looks, but in how it feels and how people use it.
The transformation delivered five new green buildouts, replacing former carriageway and parking with nearly 300m² of biodiverse planting, over a dozen new trees, new seating and cycle parking. Beyond brightening up the street, these changes help absorb rainwater, reduce surface water flood risk and create more comfortable places for people to stop and spend time.
In a dense urban neighbourhood like Waterloo, that matters. Waterloo and South Bank has some of the lowest tree canopy cover in Lambeth – just 11%, against a Lambeth average of 17% and a London average of 21%. As the area faces increasing heat and flood pressures, every tree and every planted buildout counts.
A year on, Hercules Road is no longer simply somewhere people pass through. The businesses based in the railway arches have felt the difference – among them Eden Caterers and Mud Gang, who were part of the original launch, and Swapfiets, who have since moved in.
“Bringing nature back into what is quite a concrete-heavy area really makes it feel a lot more alive. Our staff often sit in the little garden during their breaks. Given it’s a key cycle route, it adds a nice sense of tranquillity – which makes it more welcoming to our customers. It adds a more communal feel over the industrial one it had previously.” Rory MacPhee, UK General Manager, Swapfiets
“The greening project has really brightened up the area and made a real difference. It feels like a much calmer street. We’ve also noticed more of the team choosing to spend their breaks out there, which has been lovely to see.” Charlotte Illingworth, Client & Marketing Lead, Eden Caterers
The project has also become part of everyday life through Rooted, our lunchtime gardening club, led by our urban gardener Frances. Rooted gives local workers the chance to step away from their desks, get outside and help care for green spaces across the neighbourhood. On Hercules Road, that ongoing care has helped the planting settle and grow – becoming part of the community rather than simply a completed project.
Hercules Road shows that investing in a street is investing in the people on it – creating somewhere that brings the community together, rather than just somewhere to move through.
Come and see it for yourself – or get involved through Rooted.
