Council launches consultation to make children’s journeys to school safer
By Grainne Cuffe, local democracy reporter
Lewisham Council has launched a consultation aimed at making children’s journeys to and from school within its Lee Green low traffic neighbourhood (LTN) “safer and healthier”.
The council launched the LTN last summer under emergency measures to encourage active travel in the wake of the pandemic, though it has been scaled back after residential streets outside the area experienced spikes in traffic.
Part of the emergency measures include ‘schools streets’, which involve timed or all-day road closures outside schools. Several have already been introduced across the borough.
The measures being proposed within the LTN are not the traditional school street closures, but involve changing a number of the existing camera enforced modal filters to prevent cars driving through at pick up and drop off times during term time.
The targeted schools include St Winifred’s RC School, Trinity CofE School Secondary School, Trinity CofE School Primary School, Brindishe Lee School, Brindishe Manor School, and St Saviours RC School.
The changes would apply to modal filters in Dermody Road, Manor Lane, and Ennersdale road between 8am to 9.30am and 2.45pm to 4pm Monday to Friday, term time only, in both directions.
If the proposed changes are implemented eastbound movement from Hither Green to Lee Green would be banned during peak times.
Westbound movement from Lee Green to Hither Green would remain prohibited 24/7 both during and outside school term times.
On Manor Lane, the current restrictions would remain in place apart from at school drop off and pick up times when no traffic will be permitted to travel in either direction.
Lewisham Blue Badge holders will remain exempt from the restrictions.
If the proposals go ahead, they will be introduced in early May.
The council also announced that residents will be invited to feedback on the wider LTN in late May.
Cllr Sophie McGeevor, cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “When we first introduced the LTN, we always said that we would make changes to the scheme if necessary, which is why we made some adjustments back in November.
“At that point, we promised to look at how we could make it safer and healthier for children and young people to get to and from school, and I’d encourage residents to share their thoughts on our approach to this.
“The LTN is one of the steps we are taking to tackle air pollution, and to make it easier and safer for people to walk and cycle in our borough.
“It’s important we get this right, so we’re keen to hear the views of as many people as possible.”
Residents living in and around the LTN are expected to receive a newsletter outlining the plans in early March.
To take part in the consultation online go here: lewisham.gov.uk/ltnschoolsurvey