Accessible By Design

London’s most significant redevelopment in decades, the Canada Water development is bringing thousands of new homes alongside workspace, leisure destinations of all kinds and 12 acres of new open spaces.   

The vision is for this new urban landscape to be accessible to everyone who lives, works and spend time in the area. This is baked into all aspects of the 53-acre development’s design. The new homes and commercial spaces coming to Canada Water have been conceived with people of all abilities in mind. 7 Roberts Close, the development’s first new residential building, features eight wheelchair-accessible apartments among its 79 homes. But it’s in the public spaces that everyone who lives, works or spends time in the development will experience the attention to accessible design.

Navigating Canada Water’s public spaces 

The Canada Water development is designed for people to be able to move around under their own steam, and with Phase 1 approaching completion we’re beginning to see how this looks on the ground.  

Once the whole development is complete, Canada Water’s active travel network will include 4.1km of new walkways and cycle paths across the development area, with gently sloping routes designed to cater to pedestrians and cyclists of all ability levels. Clear wayfinding helps everyone, especially those with visual impairments, find their way around.  

Seating and level resting places are provided at convenient intervals. Street furniture, paving and landscaping has been designed so as not to create barriers or hazards for those with additional access needs. Tonal contrast and tactile paving are used to alert people to the presence of stairs, crossings and structures that may protrude into public areas.  

An accessible public transport network

We are also investing heavily to improve accessibility to the public transport network. British Land have contributed £13m to enhance Surrey Quays station, bringing step-free access to both platforms in an upgrade scheduled to be completed by summer 2026. We’ve also pledged £2.6m to enhance Canada Water station, which is fully accessible with lifts to all platforms.  

For those who do need a motor vehicle to move around, Blue Badge parking and carefully designed setting-down points for passenger drop-offs make journeys as smooth as possible.  

Canada Dock and Rafter Walk

Canada Dock, a historic remnant from the area’s past as a working port, has been revitalised as a haven for wildlife and for people to enjoy. It’s traversed by the striking red walkway Rafter Walk.

The new dock siding on the southern edge descends down to the water, providing new recreational spaces and seating. Step–free routes to the lower levels are provided through gentle slopes, and are cast in materials that are designed to be non–slip.

Along the 170m Rafter Walk, the three entrances are level with the pavements and carefully marked for those with visual impairments. The gentle undulation and wave of the design was planned with consideration for wheelchair users and parents with buggies, and those with additional access needs. Openings in the boardwalk balustrades allow everyone the ability to view the water and wetland environments.

Additionally, the direction of the grain in the wooden floor lies vertically rather than horizontally to provide a smoother experience, following consultation with a local disability group during planning.

Overlooking Canada Dock, multifaceted leisure destination Corner Corner is entirely step–free throughout, so everyone can easily access the food hall, café, jazz club, vertical farm and multi–purpose seating area.

Dock Office Gardens

The garden to the rear of the Dock Offices, next to the entrance of Canada Water Leisure Centre, is a green escape with new planting and mature trees, plus a new pond. People can enter via gentle steps, while step–free access is provided to the top of the gardens, where new restaurants will offer al fresco dining.

And this is just the start. As Phase 1 nears completion, it has set the tone for the whole Canada Water development as a place where people of all abilities can thrive, enjoy the many amenities coming to the area and be fully involved in the life of the community.

Canada Water Leisure Centre

British Land, AustralianSuper, and Southwark Council have made early and significant investments in health and wellbeing infrastructure for all as part of the Canada Water development. 

One big addition to the area made possible by these investments is the new Canada Water Leisure Centre, where accessibility has been designed into  every aspect. People of all abilities can enjoy the state-of-the-art facilities that support active lifestyles, giving everyone who lives and works here the chance to keep fit and look after their mental health. 

The leisure centre’s 120cm-wide entrance is designed with wheelchair users in mind, as is the reception desk with its low-level counter-tops. The desk is also fitted with hearing induction loops. All corridors are level and step-free, and lifts that can accommodate sports wheelchairs provide access to all levels, including the triple-height multi-sports court where wheelchair basketball matches are held. 

The gym has been designed as an open– plan space with adequate circulation for wheelchair users to manoeuvre around the equipment. 

The 8-lane swimming pool can be accessed via easy-going steps, with continuous handrails at both sides  offering security for people as they enter the pool. Contrasting edging creates a clear visual differentiation at the poolside, and there’s a permanent wheelchair platform lift. 

A portable hoist can be used across both the main pool and the learner pool, which has a moveable floor to accommodate various user groups.  

Changing areas feature accessible shower cubicles with drop-down handrails, along with Changing Places accessible toilet facilities.  

WeSwim offer inclusive swimming  

Down at the new swimming pools, WeSwim, a community disability swimming charity, have teamed up with Southwark Council to bring inclusive swimming opportunities to the borough. The club aims to help people with disabilities enjoy the water, helping them access an activity that can transform physical health, mental wellbeing, and social connection. 
 
Research from Activity Alliance highlights that the biggest barrier to exercise for disabled people is psychological. WeSwim addresses this by combining accessible facilities with a safe, welcoming community atmosphere. 
 
Surrey Docks resident Katrina said: “I’m excited to join WeSwim because it offers a safe space where I can do my physio exercises without the pressure of lane swimming, which can feel intimidating and unwelcoming. As a wheelchair user, it also matters that I can access the changing rooms and facilities with the same freedom as everyone else.” 
 
Tash, Founder of WeSwim, added: “We’re delighted to have Southwark’s support to launch a new club in the borough. Travel is often a huge barrier for disabled people, so by opening a local club we can reduce that challenge and create opportunities for many more people to experience the joy of swimming.”