Battle of Brixton: gentrification splits famous London district

Once the epicentre of some of Britain's worst race riots in the 1980s, the London neighbourhood of Brixton is now facing a very different battle for its Afro-Caribbean soul: gentrification. A commercial refurbishment by Britain's rail operator of several viaduct arches running through the heart of Brixton has become the focus of people's anger. "They want to clean us out," says Malek Menad, a textile merchant who is among the tenants who believe Network Rail's plans are an attempt to cash in at his and other traders' expense.

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