Businesses hit as customers stay away due to traffic measures

By Morgan Ofori

Traffic measures introduced in one area are hitting businesses in the pocket as they cause customers to stay away.

People in Dulwich Village fear that because of the Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) restrictions, clients, especially those coming from south of Dulwich, are put at a disadvantage.

Katherine Opie Smith, a dentist at Dulwich Village Dental, in Dulwich Village, said her customers were not going to attend appointments because of the traffic restrictions introduced recently.

She said: “The impact on my practice of has been huge. Staff and patients are finding it very difficult to get to us, particularly the elderly and those with disabilities, who can no longer drive into our practice from the south.”

“Many of my patients come from Bromley, Sydenham and even further south, so they are very vulnerable to being duped by the traffic closure signage, especially if it is a while since they were last here.”

“Covid has also complicated matters, because Southwark council decided to make these timed closures during the lockdown without consultation or warning.

“People had been locked in at home and so were unaware of the closures before they arrived. The fact that I now must email my patients to warn them of the cameras is testament to how many of them have been sent fines.

“I am going to lose business, just like the other shops and restaurants in the village. People just won’t come back if they get fined or can’t get to us. It is going to kill some of the shops and local employment here.”

Anthony Rose, of Merton Road, received a penalty charge notice (PCN) when attending an appointment in October. It was his first visit to the dentist since the road closures had been implemented and he was fined after using a route that was for buses, cycles, and taxis.

He said: “I normally park in Gallery Road, but there was no parking available. My dentist has a drive, so I’ve gone into Dulwich Village and parked there and done my dental appointment.

“A week later I received a PCN from Southwark. London Tribunals (the appeals adjudicator) found that the first warning sign was not visible. The second warning sign wasn’t there on the day because it was stolen.”

Despite this the fine was upheld.

Cllr Catherine Rose, Southwark council’s cabinet member for transport, parks and sport, said: “We are keen to ensure that Southwark’s Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) support residents to enjoy their local areas.

“Our consultation exercise has been comprehensive, and we have listened to feedback. We have acted wherever possible to change the scheme proposals and will continue to work towards minimising the effects of the measures – particularly for residents with protected characteristics, such as the elderly, young people and those with disabilities.

“The overall scheme delivers gains for the many, such as school pupils who can now travel more safely to school, and most Southwark residents who do not drive benefit from efforts to reduce car use.

“People are beginning to reclaim their streets and we hope to see Dulwich and its much-loved green spaces become an active travel destination for south London, bringing improvements to health, recreation opportunities and support for the local economy.”

Pictured top: Anthony Rose