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London could see a new pedestrian and cycle bridge over the River Lea by 2027, after nearly £10 million in funding was pledged by Tower Hamlets and Newham councils. The proposed Mayer Parry Bridge would connect the Leaway footpath in Canning Town with Leven Road in Poplar.

The Bromley neighbourhood of Petts Wood has been named one of the least deprived areas in England, according to new government data.

Located between Orpington and Chislehurst, Petts Wood ranks among the 20 least deprived areas in the latest Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), the government’s official measure of poverty and inequality.

It was the only London neighbourhood to make the national top 20 list, placing Bromley alongside some of England’s most affluent postcodes such as Harpenden in Hertfordshire, Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, and Horsell in Woking.

Petts Wood features leafy streets, large detached homes, strong commuter links into central London, popular local schools, independent shops, and pleasant open spaces such as Jubilee Country Park. This park, northwest of the main shopping area, was created in 1977 on land that once hosted anti-aircraft guns during the Second World War. The site, locally known as “The Gun Sites,” also served as the home of the 1st Petts Wood Scout Group.

These elements are reflected in local property values. Rightmove shows the average Petts Wood house price in 2025 was £674,600, compared to London’s overall average of £663,189.

Semi-detached homes in Petts Wood sold for an average of £710,487, terraced properties for £503,539, and detached houses for £986,229. Overall prices were 2% higher than the previous year, and close to the 2021 peak of £676,838.

The IMD rankings, compiled by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, assess deprivation across England using seven key indicators: income, employment, education, health, crime, housing, and the state of the local environment. The data is based on very small geographical areas known as Lower Layer Super Output Areas (LSOAs), each containing around 1,500 residents.

The 2025 release marks the first update since 2019 and incorporates the social and economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The figures apply only to England, as Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland calculate deprivation separately.

At the opposite end of the rankings, a neighbourhood in Jaywick, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, was named the most deprived area in England. Officially listed as Tendring 018A, the area consists mainly of detached bungalows on the Brooklands Estate and has held the lowest deprivation score since 2019.

Jaywick falls within the parliamentary constituency of Clacton, represented by Nigel Farage, who was elected MP in 2024 with 46 per cent of the vote. It was his first successful attempt to win a seat in the House of Commons after seven previous campaigns.

The next five most deprived areas are all in Blackpool, covering parts of Talbot Square, the central pier, the South Promenade, Palatine Road, and the High Street near the railway station. Additional deprived areas include Broomgrove in Hastings, two more parts of Blackpool (North Shore and North East Centre), and central Rotherham.

Blackpool remains the most deprived local authority in England overall, with its neighbourhoods recording the highest average IMD scores. It is followed by Middlesbrough, Burnley, Manchester, and Birmingham. By contrast, St Albans ranks as the least deprived local authority, with its Harpenden and Marshalswick areas occupying several of the top positions for prosperity.

Petts Wood’s strong showing in the IMD reflects both its historical development and its enduring appeal. The area’s name first appeared in 1577 as “the wood of the Pett family,” referring to shipbuilders who leased the land for timber. Development remained limited until the late 19th century, with just one house—“Ladywood”—recorded in 1872.

Modern Petts Wood began to take shape in the late 1920s under developer Basil Scruby and architect Leonard Culliford, who designed its layout. Scruby paid the Southern Railway £6,000 to build Petts Wood station, helping establish the area as a commuter suburb. Shops and a cinema were later built beside the station, and large homes began to appear on the eastern side of the tracks.

The area suffered bombing during the Second World War due to its proximity to a key railway junction. Despite this, much of its original suburban layout and character were preserved.

In the post-war years, Petts Wood gained a reputation as a comfortable retreat for London’s media workers. In Streets Ahead, journalist Keith Waterhouse recalled that Fleet Street reporters favoured the suburb in the 1950s for its reliable all-night train service back to London, which offered, as he put it, “a heaven-sent excuse for one more for the road.”

The woodland that gave the town its name still survives and is managed by the National Trust. Originally covering 88 acres, the Petts Wood estate was saved from development in 1927 through public subscription.

In 1957, neighbouring Hawkwood and Edlmann Woods were added, expanding the site to more than 250 acres. The woods feature a mix of oak, birch, ash, hornbeam, and sweet chestnut, maintaining a natural link to the area’s historic origins.

After many delayed repairs, a section of path new Kew Gardens in West London will now finally reopen on 8th November.

The walking and cycling route that connected Richmond Lock and Kew Gardens had been devastated in October 2024. At that time, high winds and heavy rain resulted in a section of the Thames at Syon Reach collapsing into the water.

An area close to the Mid-Surrey Golf Club and Old Deer Park ended up being cordoned off, and Richmond Council sent engineers to the site to investigate.

The incident was serious enough that the Port of London Authority had to issue an alert to river traffic to “proceed with caution” along the affected section of the river.

Alexander Ehmann, Liberal Democrat councillor and chair of the Richmond Council’s transport committee, said: “This has been one of the most technically demanding riverbank repairs we’ve undertaken.”

This can be especially noted by the fact that repairs began in April and should have been completed in Summer 2025. However, Richmond Council had reported struggling with “challenging tidal and ground conditions” that meant additional piling and further reinforcement was needed.

Earlier in the year, Mr Ehmann said “In addition to these works, we’ve also taken the opportunity to undertake remedial works on the towpath from Richmond Lock to the location of the breach,”

“These works have included clearing a blocked culvert, replacing a non-return valve and stabilising sections of the towpath, as well as making some surface level improvements.”

The path has now reportedly been stabilised, and crews from the contractor have completed work to ensure the area is futureproofed as best as can be.

Walkers, joggers, and cyclists will be able to enjoy the route again very soon.

The Renters’ Rights Act has officially received Royal Assent, marking one of the most significant reforms to England’s private rented sector in decades.

The new law will ban Section 21 no-fault evictions, replace fixed-term tenancies with open-ended agreements, cap rent increases, and introduce tougher property standards under the updated Decent Homes Standard.

It also paves the way for a national landlord register and a new private rented sector ombudsman, while extending Awaab’s Law to private landlords.

Although the exact implementation timetable is yet to be finalised, the Government has confirmed that further secondary legislation will follow in due course. This signals the start of a major transition period for landlords, letting agents, and tenants alike.

The Renters’ Rights Act is therefore not only a legal milestone but also the beginning of a transformative process for housing across England.

Sián Hemming-Metcalfe, Operations Director at Inventory Base, said, “The Renters’ Rights Act marks a pivotal moment for the lettings industry, moving us from debate to delivery after what seems like a very protracted period of political back-and-forth. While it undoubtedly raises the bar on compliance, it also provides the certainty and structure that landlords and agents have been waiting for.

What’s vital now is that the Government resists the temptation to keep moving the goalposts. The private rented sector is essential to housing supply, and constant legislative change only fuels uncertainty. The focus should now be on supporting responsible landlords rather than penalising them.”

The Act’s journey to becoming law has been long and contentious.

Nearly two years have passed since Michael Gove first proposed to overhaul the private rented sector, a plan that faltered during the turbulent end of the Rishi Sunak government. Labour’s version of the Bill, which closely mirrors the original, has now passed rapidly through Parliament, aided by the party’s large majority.

Secretary of State Steve Reed described the Renters’ Rights Act as “the biggest leap forward in renters’ rights in a generation,” declaring, “We are finally ending the injustice overseen by previous governments that has left millions living in fear of losing their homes.

For decades, the scales have been tipped against tenants. Now, we’re levelling the playing field between renters and landlords.”

He added, “This is an historic moment for renters across the country and we’re proud to deliver it.”

Reed also confirmed that a full timetable for implementation would be published soon so that agents, landlords, and tenants can understand when the Renters’ Rights Act will come into force in its entirety.

The abolishment of Section 21 remains the most radical element, though campaign groups such as Shelter and Generation Rent have urged the Government to move faster. Labour has resisted immediate enforcement, citing the need to give property managers time to adjust and to ensure that County Courts are equipped to handle the expected increase in eviction cases.

Grace Milham, Group Operations Director at The Property Franchise Group, said, “The government is expected to set out its plan for implementation shortly, which will include some secondary legislation.

Housing Secretary, Steve Reed, has indicated this will happen as soon as possible. We therefore continue to work on the assumption that the Bill will come into effect around the first quarter of 2026.

There are 14 key areas of change for landlords, and we have not underestimated the scale of work required to ensure a successful transition for both landlords and tenants.”

Graham Hayward, Managing Director at Housing Hand, added that the company had already been preparing for the Renters’ Rights Act for two years, launching new products such as “Depositless” renting and additional wellbeing support.

“The challenge now is the implementation plan and sequence – along with the detail of how purpose-built student accommodation will be exempt, and how providers of it will reposition in this new market,” he said.

Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, noted that “After years of debate and uncertainty, today marks an important milestone for the private rented sector. With the Renters’ Rights Act on the statute book, the sector needs certainty about the way forward.

This is the most significant shake-up of the rental market in almost 40 years, and it is imperative that the new systems work for both tenants and responsible landlords.”

He emphasised the importance of clear guidance and at least six months’ notice before implementation to allow a smooth transition.

Christian Balshen, Rightmove’s Director of Agency Partnerships, warned that “The new legislation is a big change for landlords and it’s vital that they remain compliant. Selecting the right agent to work with, to understand and prepare for the changes, will be crucial.”

Paul Offley, Compliance Officer for the Guild of Property Professionals, said, “Good agents and landlords who already operate to high professional standards have nothing to fear from these changes – in fact, this legislation should help level the playing field and drive out poor practices that damage the reputation of the sector.

Ultimately, this could be very good news for the PRS, helping to build greater trust and confidence among tenants while supporting a more professional and sustainable rental market for the future.”

Lucy Jones, COO of Lomond Investment Management, agreed that “The Renters’ Rights Act represents the biggest shift in the private rental sector in a generation, marking a significant step forward in creating a more professional and transparent industry.”

She added that while landlords may find the new responsibilities daunting, expert guidance will be key to navigating the evolving landscape.

Dr Neil Cobbold, Commercial Director at Reapit, offered a note of perspective, saying, “It’s important to understand that this isn’t a ‘everything changes tomorrow’ moment.

Some of the key provisions – for example the new landlord portal, ombudsman and extension of the Decent Homes Standard to private rented homes – will be phased in over time, with some coming into force only in the mid-2030s.”

The Renters’ Rights Act therefore marks both an ending and a beginning: the close of years of debate, and the start of a long period of adaptation.

For landlords, letting agents, and tenants, it promises to reshape England’s rental landscape for decades to come.