Ezekiel Bertrand

East Dulwich is presented as one of London’s best neighbourhoods after being ranked fifth by property consultancy Simply London for 2026. Its appeal is attributed to a village-like community atmosphere, independent shops and restaurants along Lordship Lane, family-friendly schools and amenities, nearby green spaces including Dulwich Park and Peckham Rye, and convenient rail links to London Bridge and other parts of the capital.

Tender Touch Funeral Service apologised after sending 20 letters to grieving families asking them to collect cremated remains that its database indicated were still in its care, in some cases many years after the deaths. The letters were issued before staff completed required manual checks against the Ashes Register, creating distress and uncertainty for relatives, including the family of Victor Charles O’Brien, who died in 2000. The funeral home later confirmed that O’Brien’s remains had been collected and interred in 2001, accepted responsibility for the procedural error, contacted affected families and introduced mandatory manual verification before sending further correspondence.

East Dulwich has been ranked fifth among London’s best places to live in 2026 by Simply London, following a second-place ranking the previous year. Its village atmosphere, independent businesses, North Cross Road Market, proximity to Dulwich Park, transport links and celebrity associations were highlighted. The area’s popularity comes with high housing costs, including average rents of £2,595 per month and property prices ranging from about £650,000 to more than £2 million.

Bexley Council refused plans to convert the five-bedroom HMO at 65 Arbuthnot Lane, Bexleyheath, into an eight-bedroom property for up to eight occupants. The proposal included converting an attached garage, adding a conservatory, and providing cycle and refuse storage. The council said the plans would create visual clutter, harm the area’s residential character, and potentially worsen parking stress and highway safety. It also cited insufficient details about waste collection and secure cycle storage, concluding that the application failed to comply with Bexley and London planning policies. No appeal had been lodged as of August 7.

Leann Evans says her Clarion Housing property in Bromley has suffered recurring damp and black mould since she moved in during 2012. She claims the conditions have damaged belongings, contributed to allergies, eczema and depression, and left parts of the home unsuitable for living. Evans wants to be moved out while substantial repairs are completed. Clarion says the affected areas are primarily impacted by condensation, with possible external-render defects, and has planned new extractor fans and further repairs to address the problem.

A mother reported that her 16-year-old son and a friend were accidentally locked inside David Lloyd Dartford after closing time, prompting them to set off alarms, call police, and eventually escape through a hazardous fire exit when no staff or security arrived. She says the gym later dismissed her concerns and failed to apologise, leading her to cancel her membership. David Lloyd Clubs issued a statement expressing regret and said procedures have been reviewed.

A Lewisham mother describes years of severe disrepair in her council flat, including mould, leaks and failed electrics, which she says have affected her safety and her daughter’s health. After reporting historic abuse to the police in 2021, she faced further harassment and left the property for safety, though she still must pay rent. Despite being on the housing register since 2011, she says repeated administrative issues have prevented her from moving. Lewisham Council acknowledges the difficulty of the situation but says privacy rules limit its ability to comment on specifics.

A four-year-old boy was seriously injured after being struck by a black Range Rover on Nelson Road in Gillingham. Emergency services treated the child before transferring him to a London hospital, where he remains with serious injuries. Kent Police closed the road for investigation and are appealing for witnesses or dashcam footage to assist the Serious Collision Investigation Unit.

Engineering work between St Johns, Grove Park, Hither Green, Sidcup and Dartford will cause major Southeastern train diversions and cancellations over the weekend. Services on Saturday will be rerouted or shortened, with some trains not stopping at Lewisham, while Sunday will see full line closures between Sidcup and Dartford. Replacement buses will operate between Lewisham, Sidcup and Dartford.

A series of serious crashes at the Princes Road and Darenth Road junction in Dartford, including one that resulted in the death of 21-year-old e-scooter rider Tommy Jarvis, prompted MP Jim Dickson to call on Kent County Council for an urgent safety review. Dickson urged the council to assess existing traffic arrangements, consider possible safety improvements, and meet on-site with highways officers to address long-standing concerns raised by residents. Tributes were paid to Jarvis, who died two days after the collision involving a fire engine.