Cleaner, greener and safer streets set for Southwark

A council has agreed on new plans to clean up its borough’s streets to make them greener and safer for residents.

Southwark council’s new Streets for People plan will see early improvements around Great Suffolk Street, Union Street, Webber Street, Lovington Street and Pocock Street, as well as roads around Borough Market.  

The plan is based on the largest consultation ever run by the local authority, which received more than 9,000 responses.

Of these, 73 per cent raised concerns about the effects of climate change, and 72 per cent worried about the impact of poor air quality on children.

Residents said they want more trees and green space, more accessible pavements, less traffic, better lighting, and pedestrian crossings. 

The new plan sets out to deliver these, transforming streets and communities, improving walking and cycling routes and changing road layouts to improve bus journey times.

Cllr James McAsh, Cabinet Member for Clean Air, Streets and Waste, said: “When we launched our Streets for People strategy in July 2023, we committed to asking residents in every street what is most important to them – our new plan is based on what residents told us.

“We will make our streets more accessible and safer for everyone, young and old, including people with mobility issues, people who use wheelchairs or mobility scooters, the visually-impaired and people with children or pushing prams.”

As part of its plans the council will also look to free up more space for walking and cycling, as well as green space for residents to get together to socialise and play.

Laurie Johnston from Southwark Living Streets, which campaigns for safe and accessible walking and wheeling in the borough, said:  “We’re pleased to see action that will make walking a convenient, enjoyable and safe choice for all Southwark residents, on main roads and neighbourhood streets, whether for travel, work, health, or leisure.”

The Streets for People Delivery Plan will be discussed at the next council cabinet meeting on January 7.

Pictured top: Southwark council hq in Tooley Street (Picture: Google Street View)