Barriers to block off Lewisham roads to traffic to improve air quality and encourage greener transport use
By Grainne Cuffe, Local Democracy Reporter
Trial barriers will be put in residential streets in Lee Green on Monday, to reduce rat-running in the area.
Lewisham council had already planned to do a six-month trial pre-lockdown, where roads would be blocked off to through-traffic as part of the Lewisham and Lee Green Healthy Neighbourhood plan.
The scheme aims to reduce rat-running, improve air quality, and encourage greener modes of transport.
The latest version involves 13 barriers which will close off the roads so that only cyclists and pedestrians can get through.
The scheme has been divisive, with some residents concerned about emergency services, journey times to the hospital, more pollution around schools, traffic being pushed on to other roads, trains already being at capacity, and access to the south circular road.
Others have praised the proposed reduction in traffic, pollution, and rat-running, and more space being created for walking and cycling.
Residents received a letter informing them of the plans dated June 23 – they were originally supposed to get a month’s notice, but the council said due to the pandemic that was no longer possible.
The majority of Transport for London (TfL) funding for schemes has been removed in the wake of the pandemic because of the significant hit to the transport network’s income.
But the Government has since given the Mayor of London £45 million in ‘Streetspace’ funds for councils, which aims to rapidly transform London’s streets to help facilitate social distancing, cycling, and walking as lockdown eases.
Four camera-enforced modal filters, through which only emergency services, local buses, and bikes are allowed, will be placed in Dermody Road, Manor Road, Ennersdale Road, and Manor Lane.
Kevin Sheehan, executive director for housing, regeneration and environment, said in the letter to residents: “In light of TfL’s and the Department for Transport’s guidance, we have taken the decision to deliver a package of temporary measures in Lewisham and Lee Green, subject to TfL funding approval.
“These measures will be implemented using a temporary traffic order as we seek to protect public health and address safety concerns.”
Pictured top: Holme Lacey Road in Lee
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Good Morning
Can you do a follow up to this story of road closures please? As briefly mentioned the government decided they did not need to give people warning of the drastic changes they have made on the roads in lee green and sydenham. I understand why they proposed this but it is not helping the roads. Sydenham high street is worse than ever for traffic due to silverdale and bishopsthorpe road being closed. It doesn’t reduce people using the cars it just causes more traffic and makes everyone have to flow the same way. Same with Manor Lane and leahurst road, these roads help you get access from Blackheath to catford or to Grove Park. Instead its completely blocked and has already caused me major problems trying to visit clients in Blackheath again with all the extra traffic on the beginning of verdant Lane and St Mildred’s Road which was disastrous from before for traffic. Also I am aware that this is affecting emergency services and Royal mail for deliveries as part of the road is blocked so you have to drive all the way round which takes you into the traffic which just delays your parcel delivery time or makes you late. This is all happen when we haven’t even got school run on or some more normality on the roads and there is major traffic already because of these blockages. I will be starting a petition as alot of people that use these areas ate not happy now they are aware of the blockages. Also i would like to stop the proposed blockages set for bellingham as that is going to cause major problems as that is a go through area from catford to sydenham as whitefoot lane and south end lane get crazy with traffic throughout the day. It is not fair that we haven’t been informed properly of major changes that affect alot of people in the area and surrounding areas and we should not be forced to ride a bike or walk when that is not convenient for everyone also this initiative is to force car holders to change to electric which alot of people cannot afford. (Says on lewisham council website)
They government have no right to wake up one day and block the roads and create more traffic in the area saying healthier neighbourhoods.
Also can factor in that alot of people during lockdown have been more active and there was a surge in purchasing bikes as people wanted to be active. However my bike is not convenient for me to get to work from hither Green to sydenham as I have to carry equipment. Also there is no direct links of public transport from my area to work I would have to catch at least 3 buses to get to work. So i drive as i travel around South eat london to visit my clients.
Please support and help us with this blockage nonsense as it really is causing problems on the road. I will create a protest at lewisham Council and for the mayor of London as they have done us residents wrong and they want to go ahead and create more problems on the roads in the hopes people won’t drive that is not an initiative that is a form of bullying.