Protesters gather to speak out against Lee Green low traffic neighbourhood scheme

By Grainne Cuffe, Local Democracy Reporter

Protesters against the Lee Green low traffic neighbourhood said the scheme was dividing people rather bringing them together.

A crowd gathered outside Lewisham Library on Saturday to voice their concerns about the traffic-calming measures.

The LTN, a set of road barriers to reduce through-traffic, was brought in under Covid-19 emergency transport measures, and has received mixed feedback.

The scheme aims to promote active travel, such as cycling, walking and public transport, which many residents support.

However, traffic has been displaced into roads outside of the LTN, leaving locals concerned about road safety and air pollution.

The protesters held signs which said “we are the 99 per cent, open roads now”, and “you’ve taken our freedom”, while chanting “open up the roads”.

One attendee said: “Traffic in and around Lee is horrendous, no sign of evaporation after three months.

“Local residents and businesses are suffering and Lewisham council are not listening.”

Cheryl McLeod, a campaigner from the group Catford Against Social Cleansing, who also went to the protest, said the LTN measures “have come in under the guise of Covid-19”.

She referred to an elderly couple affected by the scheme, saying: “It has added an extra 20 minutes to their journey to visit another elderly gentleman – they advise they will no longer be able visit him anymore due to these restrictions and their own physical well-being.

“If these measures were to bring the community together, they’ve failed miserably.

“This is actually dividing the community and has not been well thought-out by Mayor Egan, councillors or officers; moreover, people’s livelihoods are at stake here.

The council declined to comment on the protest but recently announced it would be tweaking the scheme in response to issues that have stemmed from it.

The changes have yet to be published but a revised traffic order launched in late September seems to allow dial-a-ride drivers, who transport people with disabilities and/or special educational needs, to go through some camera-enforced barriers.

In a statement released on September 18, mayor Damien Egan said the “vast majority of residents” he speaks to “support the principle of LTNs, support measures to make it easier to walk and cycle in the borough and support our work to improve air quality”.

But he said: “Our current scheme that was implemented in Lee Green is causing problems in neighbouring areas.

“We are very aware of this and we are working urgently to plan changes which we hope will see things improve.”

Pictured top: A crowd gathered outside Lewisham Library on Saturday to voice their concerns