A landmark London junction, a roundabout from 1959-2015 before it became The Bend, a dangerous misguided congested design. Campaigning for improvements.
An island of green in a sea of traffic, a listed memorial to Michael Faraday that disguises an electricity substation, the Field of Hope and a hot bed of guerrilla gardens, a network of subterranean mural-lined passages and most recently a permanent al fresco disco. This is what it is now. What could it be in the future? Join in making this the place it deserves to be.
27/01/2021
The redevelopment of the shopping centre might perhaps take inspiration from Nottingham. It's time to bring back nature. It'll make up for the massive loss of nature that Lendlease and Southwark Council have destroyed in the Heygate Estate and be more sustainable than city centre retail.
Going wild? A radical green plan for Nottingham's unloved shopping centre Could replacing empty shops with wetlands, woodlands and meadows offer a new model for cities?
19/10/2020
Further plans for the new Elephant and Castle tube station revealed. https://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/10419?utm_source=SE1+Direct&utm_campaign=6fa6ce2c96-SE1+Direct+1006_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_9d1f71fd65-6fa6ce2c96-407872045 When the Bakerloo line was built here it was originally going to be a station in the centre connected to all the radial roads by subways, much like Piccadilly Circus is today. It's a pity many users will still have to cross The Bend to enter it.
New images of Elephant & Castle's upgraded tube station Transport for London has published three images of the new entrance and ticket hall for Elephant & Castle Underground Station, scheduled for completion in eight or nine years' time.
The Elephant and Castle shopping centre has closed after 55 years. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/sep/24/were-going-to-miss-the-community-elephant-and-castle-shopping-centre-closes-after-55-years?CMP=share_btn_tw
05/05/2020
The 50 year old shopping centre built soon after the roundabout was created continues to inspire new artwork. This linocut by Paul Catherall: https://londonoriginalprintfair.com/viewing-room/26/works/artworks-662-paul-catherall-elephant-shop-2020/
01/04/2019
The late lamented subways, pumped full of concrete by TfL appear to have inspired a range of wall tiles: https://www.wallsandfloors.co.uk/elephant-castle-smooth-gloss-200x100-tiles
Elephant and Castle's redesigned bend (still known as a roundabout by many a confused traveller), causing pain for the legendary Judi Love.
Download the dossier on how Elephant and Castle Roundabout became . www.elephantandcastleroundabout.org
Colourful noisy carnival procession passes across the piazza at Elephant and Castle.
08/05/2018
Roundabout officially named in honour of Donald Trump. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/08/israel-trump-jerusalem-embassy-roundabout-thanks-mayor?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other Time to officially brand Elephant’s urban motorway The Boris Bend.
Jerusalem gives thanks to Trump by naming a roundabout in his honour ‘Jerusalem returns the love to Trump,’ writes mayor Nir Bakat before official opening of US embassy, which has moved from Tel Aviv
25/04/2018
First time in old subways beneath Bank. Great signage, pics, landmarks and clear numbers. TfL ambition to remove subways across London seems so bonkers vs the Corporation of London practical solution 23 years ago.
Extra special noisy Bend tonight as repairs to pot holed ring road are underway.
05/04/2018
Expect Elephant and Castle Bend to get more congested now. The helpful short cut via Harper Road (intended to be used from TfL's traffic modelling but deeply unpleasant for residents) which drivers gradually discovered has now been restricted to large vehicles by Southwark Council. http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/9569. It's a reminder of the big flaw in TfL's desire to use "spare capacity" on quiet roads so they can dump piazzas into road junctions.
Harper Road: 2-metre width restriction to block rat-run An experimental width restriction has been introduced on Harper Road and Bath Terrace to deter lorries from using the street as a shortcut to avoid the Elephant & Castle junction.