Lewisham has changed a lot over the years, yet it needs to continue improving. The Lewisham Gateway project is one of the most ambitious development schemes and it will drastically change Lewisham town center.

As you all probably know, the first phase of the project, which involves the redevelopment of the area close to both Lewisham railway and DLR stations, has started. When it is finished, the Lewisham town center will have 193 new homes plus new shops, restaurants and cafés. New pedestrian routes to the stations are also planned to be built.

How is it going to affect the life of pensioners? First of all, any urban development plan involves lane closures and bus services diversions, which is the price we have to pay for a more livable borough. In exchange for that, the access to the stations will be improved and more public space will be available.

We all will benefit from those improvements: firstly, better access to the stations will be very positive for everybody but specially for those with mobility problems; secondly, new public spaces provide new places for socialising, which will be great for people who live in the borough. 

The whole scheme will be built over an expected 6-year period, so we have to be patient. Just think that if we improve Lewisham today, it will be better tomorrow.