Dates for Tube train upgrades
A TimeOut news report by Eloise Feilden describes how the plans for replacing the 54 year old Bakerloo Line’s trains has commenced, but slowly.
New trains are unlikely to be on the tracks before 2035.
The current priority for TfL is the new walk-through, air-conditioned carriages and upgrades for the Piccadilly line, in their explanation.
TimeOut reported in February that the new Piccadilly Line’s trains will be operational later than expected. The forecast is for Summer 2027.
Ten BLGs in the draft London Plan
The draft London Plan was published with supporting evidence.
Comments on its content by LF members are requested by 8th September 2026 to planning@londonforum.org.uk
The plan identifies ten Broad Locations for Growth (BLG). A useful map and density information for them are in an article by Russell Curtis. He has looked at the locations identified for intensification, to try and understand where the new homes identified within the borough targets might be located
Your comments on any of those BLGs are welcome also.
Clean Rivers and Waterways plan
Sadiq Khan has launched a 10-year Clean Rivers and Waterways plan to transform London’s rivers, ridding them of pollution, making them safe and accessible for Londoners and ensuring nature and wildlife can thrive. The plan will focus on ten key locations across London where the restoration of blue and green spaces can deliver the fastest and widest benefits for Londoners.
The plan is intended to improve river health, restore wildlife habitats and make waterways swimmable where it is safe to do so,
Jubilee Park
Jubilee Park in Canary Wharf sits on top of the spectacular tube station and is surrounded by high office buildings, which would make many people assume that it’s a bad place to grow trees.
In this video made by UDL, James Lord explains why that isn’t the case and that trees need less depth of soil than you might think. He reflects also on the downsides of a precious green space becoming popular, and why it couldn’t remain as one of Canary Wharf’s only leafy spots.
Healthy Street Scorecard 2026
The annual results have been published by CPRE (London) for the Healthy Streets scores by borough.
Visit their website to see all the results, including the ones for Your Borough and the new TLRN (red routes) Scorecard.
The launch presentation slides are here and list the Input indicators for the scores:
- 20 mph
- Controlled parking zones
- Low traffic neighbourhoods
- Cycle tracks
- [more…]
Action on extreme heat
The GLA has issued a Heat Ready London report.
The Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee has pushed the Government on action to tackle the “silent killer” of extreme heat.
In a letter he asks the Government how it plans to tackle overheating in hospitals, care homes, schools and prisons, as well as measures such as establishing maximum workplace temperatures, prescribing active cooling such as air conditioning, changing school timetables and ensuring new housing is resilient to future heat. Details are in this article June [more…]
Consultation on Heathrow expansion
A Draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement (HENPS) consultation has been published with a deadline for responses by 1st September 2026.
London Forum has prepared a briefing note for its members and asks you to feed your views back to us on the consultation questions in it by 7th August if possible; so that the London Forum can submit comments to the government before the deadline.
We also very much encourage you in parallel to respond directly to the government, both [more…]
![Cross-Keys [Photo: Hammersmith Society/Collins]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Cross-Keys-Hammersmith.jpg?resize=1280%2C1020&ssl=1)
Biodiversity Net Gain applies to NSIP schemes
Since May 2026, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) has applied in England to nationally significant infrastructure projects, as well as housing and smaller developments. This means those implementing major road, rail and energy schemes now have a legal obligation to leave biodiversity in a measurably better state than before construction started. Further BNG changes are being considered by Government for July 2026.
It gives community organisations a better basis for making representations to planning authorities on development proposals.
Government details about Biodiversity Net Gain have been [more…]
Reforming judicial review for infrastructure
A Policy Paper has been published on this subject.
The Government wants to reduce delays in the delivery of nationally important infrastructure, as in the Banner review but also the Fingleton review on enabling nuclear delivery through regulatory reform.
A Government-backed indemnification scheme is proposed to give developers greater financial certainty when facing legal challenge; and the NSIP judicial review reforms will be extended to other major planning regimes, including those under the Town and Country Planning Act.
Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Try a new search:
Protection for Public Green Space
The Government will review the fragmented and outdated nature of current legislative protections for public recreational green spaces, assess how ...
![Greenwich Park, London [Photo: Pexels]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Greenwich-Park-London-Pexels.jpg?fit=150%2C100&ssl=1)
Parks and Climate Change
The Heritage Fund worked with Historic England to better understand how the climate crisis is affecting the UK’s natural heritage ...
Ongoing District Line service problems
East Putney, Southfields, Wimbledon Park and Wimbledon stations together see over 29 million entries and exits a year but there ...
![TBM 'Florence' [Photo: HS2 ltd]](https://i0.wp.com/www.londonforum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/HS2-Florence.jpg?fit=1501%2C1000&ssl=1)
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Member News
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Will the London Plan deliver the housing and places London needs?
📆 Mon 14th September | 18:30 - 20:30
🚩 77 Cowcross Street, EC1M 6EL (map)
A last chance to shape the London Plan — join us next Monday. The draft London Plan proposes that 50% of all new homes be affordable. With competition for homes, industrial and other uses, some housing will be built in what is now Green Belt land. This is an important subject covering proposals for housing development in London for the next 20 years. Book now ( https://www.londonforum.org.uk/events/will-the-london-plan-deliver-the-housing-and-places-london-needs/#booking ) for this Open Meeting on Monday 14th September. We’ve invited the London Plan team to talk about: The amount of housing required to meet…
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Planning, Environment and Transport committee meeting
📅 Thu 8th October | 14:00 - 16:00
🚩 Room B1 70 Cowcross St, EC1M 6EJ (map)