The Council are currently assessing the safety of the “potentially dangerous structure”
A “potentially dangerous” building has forced a road closure in Peckham, according to Southwark Council. The building, believed to be the Tower Cinema Gateway on Rye Lane, was initially designed in 1914 and the tower stands as a testament to the time after the venue itself closed permanently in 1956.
While no details have yet been confirmed regarding the building’s safety, Rye Lane has been closed since last night, Thursday, September 3, and remains closed to motorists and members of the public alike.
The potentially dangerous structure is being investigated by the council. The spokesperson later said that they would have further updates on the road closure in the near future. The Met Police were on scene yesterday, stopping traffic and pedestrians from accessing the road.
Buses on Rye Lane have also been affected with the following routes currently diverting via Peckham High Road:”36,136,171,436, N89, N136 and N171 towards Camberwell.”
MyLondon received reports of a large police presence at the “dangerous” building just after 10pm last night, Thursday, September 3. Traffic diversions have been put in place, and a structural assessment is due to be carried out to ensure that road users can return to their normal routes shortly.
The auditorium was demolished and replaced by the Choumert Grove Car Park, which is operated by Southwark Council, while the remaining tower structure was used as an entrance from the High Street into it.
A Southwark Council spokesperson said: “Rye Lane in Peckham is currently closed because of a potentially dangerous structure at the former cinema site at 114-116 Rye Lane.“Traffic diversions are in place and further investigation, including a structural assessment, is underway. At this stage we do not have an update on when the road will reopen.”
The Met Police have been contacted for their involvement in incident.
