Poppy Huggett

The Greenwich+Docklands International Festival will open in Woolwich with a programme of free entertainment, food, music and cultural activities. Events in Beresford Square include a world food market, DJ sets, Somali dance performances, sports sessions and extended opening hours at local venues. The headline event is 360, an immersive dance performance in General Gordon Square. Local officials and Visit Greenwich say the programme is strengthening Woolwich’s cultural reputation, supporting businesses and attracting visitors. GDIF runs until September 6, while Woolwich Summer Lates continues until September 12.

Eighty-four-year-old David Down was issued a £300 fixed penalty notice after an apple core accidentally fell and rolled under a car in a Welling car park. His mobility and speech difficulties allegedly prevented him from retrieving it or explaining the circumstances to the enforcement officer. His daughter Natalie complained to Bexley Council, arguing that the penalty was disproportionate, while the family accepts that littering rules are necessary. David has 14 days to pay a reduced £150 fine if the complaint is unsuccessful, and the council has been asked to comment.

The Furze Wren Wetherspoon pub in Bexleyheath reopened after a £460,000 refurbishment carried out during a three-week closure. Improvements include a refreshed bar, new drinks equipment, updated seating and décor, upgraded staff facilities, new employee changing areas and work on the ladies’ toilets. Manager Danny Murphy said the investment demonstrated Wetherspoon’s commitment to the venue, staff and customers. The pub serves food daily and operates from morning until late, with family access permitted until 9pm.

Dockless Lime, Voi and Forest e-bikes were left near the Greenwich Foot Tunnel’s north lift entrance, restricting access for disabled people, parents with prams and others unable to use the stairs. Reddit users described the parking as selfish and potentially hazardous, particularly when the lifts are out of order, and called for stronger prevention and enforcement. Lime, Forest and Voi said the location is subject to no-ride or no-parking rules, with fines, monitoring and on-street teams used to identify, remove or redistribute improperly parked bikes.

Residents on an estate in Biggin Hill said they were shocked after a Ministry of Defence-owned children's playground was demolished without warning on July 25. They reported that the work took about two hours and that neither residents nor the estate committee had been informed. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation said the playground had been provided for military families, none of whom now live at the site, and was removed as the MOD prepares to hand the remaining properties and land back to Annington Homes Ltd. Future decisions about the land will be made by Annington.

Shaftesbury Park in Bromley has completed a roughly £105,000 improvement project featuring upgraded toddler and junior play equipment, new seating and a restored pond. Funding came from a £75,000 Veolia Environmental Trust grant, £23,000 from Bromley Council’s Platinum Jubilee Parks Fund and Section 106 funding. Burnt Ash Primary School pupils helped secure the grant, and the restored pond will support outdoor lessons on nature and biodiversity. The improvements were officially opened by Bromley Mayor Christine Harris as part of a wider investment programme in Bromley’s parks.

Victorious Festival will return to Southsea Common in Portsmouth from August 28 to 30 for the August bank holiday weekend. Headliners include Richard Ashcroft, The Black Keys and Kasabian, alongside acts such as Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Scissor Sisters, Basement Jaxx, Faithless, The Streets, Bastille and Jessie J. The family-focused event will feature a Kids Arena, free attractions, food from independent Portsmouth traders and returning attractions including Southsea Skatepark and the World Music Village. The festival is accessible by train from London, with tickets including discounted family bundles and children’s tickets from £1.

Labyrinth on the Thames is scheduled to return to Greenwich’s Old Royal Naval College in August 2026, with performances by artists including The Kooks, Dom Dolla, Peggy Gou, Overmono, Adriatique, Anjunadeep, Moby and Michael Bibi. The Royal Borough of Greenwich will impose overnight vehicle, waiting and loading restrictions on parts of Greenwich Church Street, King William Walk, Park Row and Welland Street during two festival weekends, from 8pm until about 1am. The venue is accessible by Greenwich station, riverboat services and local buses.

Six roads in Bromley—including roads in Bickley, Chislehurst, St Mary Cray and Beckenham—are expected to face temporary traffic restrictions from August 26 while Network Rail surveys and upgrades railway bridges and structures. The restrictions may include waiting bans, full or partial closures, diversions and one-way systems, under an order lasting up to 18 months. Property access will be maintained as far as practicable and emergency access will remain available, while drivers should follow temporary signage.

Bromley Council has ruled that a proposed large data centre in Orpington by DARE-DC1 Ltd requires a full Environmental Impact Assessment due to likely significant effects on the rural Green Belt setting, nearby heritage assets, agricultural land, wildlife habitats, and local transport. The council identified risks to views, biodiversity, archaeology, and road networks, following input from Natural England and GLAAS. The decision does not grant planning permission, and a full planning application will still be required.

Survey results highlight wide variation in patient satisfaction across Lewisham’s GP surgeries, with Woolstone Medical Centre receiving the highest rating and Sel Special Allocation Practice the lowest. Most practices scored above the national average, and NHS South East London emphasised using patient feedback to guide improvements. The findings underscore the role of the GP Patient Survey in identifying strengths and addressing areas needing better care within the borough’s primary care networks.

A Thamesmead resident reports a recurring fly infestation he attributes to the nearby Veolia waste facility, saying it prevents him and neighbours from using their homes and gardens comfortably. He states earlier mitigation efforts had worked before a management change led to the issue returning. Veolia says it has investigated the complaint and maintains that pest control measures meet environmental permit requirements, with oversight from the Environment Agency. The resident claims he feels ignored despite contacting councillors and meeting with council and company representatives. Greenwich Council has been asked for comment.

A new Japanese-inspired private spa, Kaiya Spa, has opened in Bexleyheath after nearly four years of development by founders Harpreet and Jatinder. The facility offers exclusive use of amenities including a sauna, steam room, hot tub, heated loungers and an ice plunge. The couple, drawing on personal experiences and design influences, transformed the premises after delays caused by IVF treatment and the birth of their daughter. Open daily with plans for future treatments, the spa aims to position Bexleyheath as a destination for luxury wellness experiences, with support from the local community and the Mayor at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Newly released NHS England data shows Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust had one of the highest daily averages of patients receiving corridor care in May 2026, with 77 patients in emergency departments and 21 on wards. The trust attributes the figures to pressure on urgent and emergency care and says it is working to reduce the use of inappropriate spaces through an action plan focused on improving patient flow and discharge processes. National figures indicate thousands of patients across England receive corridor care each day, with the trust reporting initial improvements in subsequent months.

Crystal Palace introduced their 2026/27 home kit featuring a modernised sash design coinciding with the start of a new sponsorship with tech company Temporal. The launch highlights the club’s historical connection to the sash and includes involvement from current players, new signings, academy talents and former club heroes. The kit is produced by Macron using recycled materials and is available for online order. The partnership with Temporal is presented as a long-term collaboration reflecting shared values of resilience and continuity.

National Highways will close sections of the Dartford Crossing overnight between July 13 and 19 for routine maintenance affecting the tunnels and QEII Bridge. Most disruptions will impact northbound traffic, including repeated closures of the west and east tunnels and stretches between Junctions 2 and 1A. Drivers are advised to follow diversions, check travel updates and allow extra time during the works, which aim to maintain safe and efficient operation of the key M25 route.

Transport for London is proposing toll increases for the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels, raising peak‑time charges for cars from £4 to £4.20 and off‑peak rates from £1.50 to £1.55. The adjustments reflect inflation since the original pricing in 2024 and follow earlier fare increases on rail and Tube services. TfL aims to align future toll changes with annual March fare updates across its network. Recent data shows improved journey times through the Blackwall Tunnel since the Silvertown Tunnel opened, though evening queues have grown at the Woolwich Ferry. The new pricing structure varies by vehicle type, with discounts available for low‑income residents and small businesses, and TfL maintains that the charges help manage congestion and support wider transport goals.

Penge has maintained its reputation as one of the UK's coolest places to live, with thriving independent businesses, strong community spirit and well‑used green spaces. Local cafés, restaurants and shops continue to draw residents and visitors, while transport links keep the area attractive to commuters seeking affordable housing. The town’s atmosphere and identity remain intact, bolstered by the attention it received from The Times a year earlier.

A man identified as Daniel Watkis was convicted at Woolwich Crown Court of murdering Junior Coleman, whose body was found hidden in the derelict Brockley Social Club in Lewisham. Evidence included CCTV footage, forensic links and Watkis’ attempts to conceal the crime and mislead others. Police discovered the body after a missing-person report from Coleman’s family, and investigators recovered several of Watkis’ personal items at the scene. A post-mortem confirmed Coleman died from blunt force trauma. Investigators highlighted the complexity of the case and expressed hope that the verdict provides some justice for the victim’s family. Watkis will be sentenced in October.

A selection of five shaded or water-accessible walking routes across south east London is highlighted as suitable for heatwave conditions, featuring ancient woodlands, nature reserves, a Victorian cemetery and a park with an outdoor swimming lake. Each location offers cooler environments, easy-to-moderate walking routes and accessible transport links, providing options for staying active during high temperatures.

Eltham Green Road will close to vehicles for six weeks from July 20, 2026, to allow Southern Gas Networks to replace gas mains under an order issued by the Royal Borough of Greenwich. The closure affects several junctions, with pedestrian access maintained and diversions provided for drivers. Emergency vehicle access will continue, and although the order lasts up to 18 months, the work is expected to finish within six weeks, with extensions dependent on approval from the Secretary of State for Transport.

A seven-bedroom, 12,500-square-foot mansion in Farnborough Park has been listed for £10.5 million, featuring seven bathrooms, multiple reception rooms, a bespoke Chambers of Knockholt kitchen, landscaped gardens, a gym and potential indoor pool reinstatement. Built in 2012 by Durtnells, the home offers luxury amenities including a studio, triple garage and several bedroom suites. Located within a gated estate, it provides access to local transport links and school catchments. A spokesperson for Alan De Maid highlighted its exclusive setting and extensive landscaped surroundings.

A burst water main in Bromley Common has closed Crown Lane for at least a week while Thames Water repairs significant road damage. Water supply has been restored, but the road and part of the footpath remain shut with diversions in place. Thames Water engineers continue repair work and expect to reopen a lane once it is safe, with a further update due July 9.