Drivers caught out by new Greenwich restrictions spared fines until new year

By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter

The grace period for drivers paying fines from Greenwich council’s low traffic neighbourhoods scheme has been extended after signs for the scheme were not in place when it was scheduled to begin.

The authority has said it will be reviewing the scheme after signs for the new restrictions had caused confusion to residents.

The project began on November 27 and uses number plate recognition cameras to stop through-traffic on roads either side of Greenwich Park. The measures are in place between 7am and 10am as well as 3pm and 7pm on weekdays.

However, the authority confirmed last Friday that the fines for the scheme, amounting to £130, will not be coming into effect until January 2 2025. The trial period for the proposal is due to last for up to 18 months, during which the public will be asked to provide feedback to inform any required changes.

Conservative councillor Matt Hartley said at a Greenwich council meeting last week that several signs for the scheme were not in place on the day it was due to begin.

He asked Labour councillor Averil Lekau, cabinet member for climate action, environment and transport, to consider extending the grace period for drivers being issued warnings instead of charges given the confusion caused by the lack of signage.

Cllr Lekau said in a printed response: “The installation of signage for the scheme experienced some delays due to unforeseen logistical challenges, including some challenges around installation of signage at some locations.”

The deputy leader said she had extended the grace period for the project from two to three weeks given the confusion caused and that all signs would be in place before enforcement begins. She claimed that all signs would be put up by the end of the end of the week and she would be meeting with the council’s chief executive and leader to assess the scheme.

Residents at the meeting also expressed their frustrations with the scheme. Eleanor Restell spoke on behalf of the West Charlton Residents’ Association, with 760 people signing a petition from the group calling on the authority to carry out a survey on the impact the changes would have on the area.

Ms Restell said residents in areas along the boundaries of the proposed streets felt they had not been represented in the scheme’s consultation. She claimed the plan was ‘ill-thought through’ and that residents were worried about the safety of pupils crossing Eastcombe Avenue, saying the additional speeding traffic was an ‘accident waiting to happen’.

Cllr Lekau said in response: “We are going to be monitoring the boundary areas. We have extended the information to boundary areas. We will be including the full consultation of the boundary areas.

“It says the whole programme is 18 months, certainly in the first six months of understanding the traffic impacts or within that time, we will be looking to see what adjustments if any need to be made.”

Pictured top: Vanbrugh Hill in East Greenwich, near Maze Hill station, is affected by the scheme (Picture: LDRS/Joe Coughlan)