Urgent Need for a Facade Improvement Initiative on Old Kent Road

I write to request a major shift in priorities regarding the external appearance of buildings along the Old Kent Road, which are in urgent need of coordinated attention. The current state of facades, marred by dirt, deterioration, fly-postering, and pervasive graffiti is contributing to a negative perception that undermines local pride, safety, and economic vitality.

Current Condition and Public Feedback

Numerous reports highlight persistent issues along Old Kent Road, notably tagging, fly-postering, and litter on both public signage and private property facades. For example, multiple open reports remain unresolved, citing locations such as railway bridges, pillar fronts, cable boxes, and walls on Old Kent Road covered in graffiti and fly-postering (Love Clean Streets, Reddit, Wikipedia, Love Clean Streets). Local residents frequently report private gable walls and shop entrances covered in unsightly tagging (cleanerlewisham.lovecleanstreets.com).

These conditions reinforce the so-called “broken windows” effect: when small signs of disorder go unchecked, it creates a message that no one is watching and can escalate antisocial behaviour.

Regulatory Non‑Compliance and Safety Risks

Buildings along the high street show visible signs of neglect, including dirty surfaces, damaged fixtures, and aging shopfronts that detract from the street and may pose health or structural risks. While full structural assessments may be needed, the evident neglect suggests non‑compliance with expected standards for routine maintenance.

Graffiti Impact

Graffiti is not merely cosmetic: it devalues properties, deters customers, and attracts further vandalism. Spray paints can permanently damage building surfaces and create hazards for improper removal (icecleaning.co.uk). Historic England warns that graffiti on historic or listed properties is illegal criminal damage and may require specialist removal techniques and consent (historicengland.org.uk).

Proposed Council‑Led Intervention

1. Coordinated Clean-Up and Graffiti Removal

Implement daily power-washing and expert graffiti removal on key high street sections of Old Kent Road. This should address not just ground level but extend to the tops of facades, signage, overpasses, and pillars. Too often only ground level graffiti is removed and anything higher is allowed to stay. This policy has to change.

2. Facade Improvement Grants & Incentives

Offer targeted support to property owners, especially of aging Victorian and mid-century commercial/residential buildings to repaint, repair masonry, upgrade shopfronts and clean external elements.

3. Ongoing Maintenance Strategy

Develop a long-term maintenance partnership with property owners and tenants that includes regular inspections and cleaning schedules, as well as swift remediation of tagging or fly-postering.

Community and Economic Benefits

Revitalizing Old Kent Road façades would:

• Elevate the area’s visual identity and sense of civic pride.
• Improve visitor and shopper confidence, boosting footfall for local businesses.
• Create a ripple effect of maintenance underdrawing higher standards across the neighbourhood.

Call to Action

I urge the Council to include this proposal in its Emerging Priorities list, by initiating:

• A visual survey and audit of affected properties.
• Consultations with residents, businesses, and landlords to assess needs and gather feedback.
• Planning of a pilot clean-up and facade grant scheme in collaboration with local partners.

By taking action now, the Council can help reverse the “broken windows” effect and make Old Kent Road a cleaner, safer, and more attractive street, well aligned with the broader growth ambitions outlined in the Old Kent Road Area Action Plan (Southwark Council).