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About Lambeth
Lambeth is one of a ring of thirteen local
authorities which form Inner London. From the Thames in the
north to its leafy southern boundary, it covers seven miles
and, east to west, two and a half miles - and its various
town centres have a character all their own.
Brixton is cool and Clapham is chic - you work out where you
stand in the struggle for style supremacy that is raging in
south west London. Arts and culture thrive most noticeably
in North Lambeth but also in Clapham and Brixton where many
actors and artists have made their homes.
The borough has come a long way since the old music hall hit
celebrated the Lambeth Walk and Charlie Chaplin dreamed of
fame as a boy in Kennington. These days, clubs, theatres,
restaurants and other venues attract visitors from all over
London and beyond. Journalists and MPs live here because it
is just across the river from Parliament.
There has always been a vibrant political community. John
Major, Ken Livingstone, Tony Banks and Peter Mandelson were
all Lambeth councillors before they took the short step to
Westminster.
There is ample scope for recreation here, too. Oval Cricket
Ground is one of Lambeth's best-loved scenes, gas works and
all. Kennington Park, Clapham Common, Brockwell Park and Streatham
Common are wonderful examples of public open spaces which
are part of London life.
Economic revival has transformed many areas of unemployment
and poor housing. There is important commercial and regeneration
activity at Vauxhall, south of Waterloo where the Channel
Tunnel International Rail Terminal links London to Europe.
But the problems of social deprivation are still present.
The work of local communities and Council regeneration programmes
are focusing on the issues in new and radical ways. The Brixton
Challenge five year programme which helped change the face
of that town has successfully ended.
The residential areas of Norwood and Streatham are more recent
examples of the Council's "town centre" approach to rebuilding
its local communities.
Taken from the Lambeth council website www.lambeth.gov.uk
Town Centres
Brixton
North Lambeth
Stockwell
Streatham
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Brixton
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