Changes

[[Image:IMG 0334 - Public toilets petition.jpg|right|thumb|220px|signatures on the petition, presented by the deputation]]

[[Image:IMG 0346 - Public toilets petition.jpg|right|thumb|220px|residents and traders swap stories of queues to sign the petition in Rye Lane]]

==Introduction==

Peckham is a major shopping centre in Southwark, thronging with shoppers and visitors. The lack of public toilets creates serious problems. Local residents have for many years campaigned for public toilets. Local residents and traders presented a petition with over 4000 signatures to the Council in September 2013. The petition asked that the provision of public toilets should be part of the redesign of the area in front of Peckham Rye station. This was included in the brief for the Peckham CoDesign process between August and October 2014.

The work to recreate the square in front of the station is likely to start in 2021. The extension upwards by two floors on the corner of Blenheim Grove and Rye Lane (against local opposition) is now under way. The next stages are the demolition of the Arcade in front of the station and the recreation of the square. The creation of the new public toilets under the arches adjacent to the station building is still in the plan. '''[https://www.southwark.gov.uk/regeneration/peckham-and-nunhead/peckham-rye-station-square See here for the Council's latest information on the works overall.]''' Meanwhile, Network Rail are now actively designing proposals to install lifts and new access stairs inside and at the back of the station for step free access to all platforms. New station toilets are also included in these plans. '''[https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/kent/kent-and-south-east-london-railway-upgrade-plan/peckham-rye-station-redevelopment/ See here for the information about this accessibility project.]'''

Planning permission was given for public toilets in the redevelopment of the area in front of the station at the Planning Committee in March 2016: [http://moderngov.southwark.gov.uk/documents/s60045/Report%2074-82%20RYE%20LANE%20IN%20FRONT%20OF%20PECKHAM%20RYE%20STATION%20AND%202-10%20BLENHEIM%20GROVE%20LONDON%20SE15%204RY.pdf officer's report] and [http://moderngov.southwark.gov.uk/documents/s60047/Appendix%204%20Recommendation.pdf decision] NOTE: date for completion planned as 2021.