Parking bays reinstated in Kennington Park Road after opposition

A decision to scrap parking bays to trial a 24-hour red route bus lane has been reversed.

Southwark Residents living in Kennington Park Road are delighted that the bays have been reinstated.

The suspension of the bays affected around 50 five-storey housing blocks along the eastern side of Kennington Park Road.

Transport for London (TfL) had consulted Lambeth residents on the opposite side of the road, but not the Southwark residents.

The residents were left unable to take deliveries, pick up their elderly relatives, or drop off their young children.

Lucy Cleeve, representative of Kennington Park Road Residents’ Association and Neighbourhood Watch, said: “We’re very relieved that TfL has reinstated the parking bays in Kennington Park Road, reversing what was an ill-thought-through and hastily implemented policy.

“We are grateful to the South London Press for drawing public attention to the disruption and distress that TfL’s policy was causing local residents, particularly the most vulnerable members of our community.

“In recent years, TfL has introduced numerous measures, resulting in increased pollution and access problems for people who live in Kennington Park Road, without properly consulting us or listening to our concerns.

“In future, we hope that TfL will carry out meaningful consultation with local residents and choose to take our concerns seriously.

“Surely all Londoners can agree that the rights of people who live in a community matter just as much as those who pass through it on the bus?”

Kate Macmillan, a resident of Kennington Park Road, said: “We are delighted that TfL has reinstated the bays. We sought fairness for all and this outcome balances the competing rights far better than what was proposed.”

Neil Coyle, MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, said: “I am glad that TfL have reversed their decision to suspend the parking bays in Kennington Park Road. They should never have suspended them without consultation and public engagement.

“With the country entering another national lockdown, now more than ever it is extremely important for people to have the ability to receive deliveries as close to home as possible.”

A TfL spokesman said: “Our trial of 24-hour bus lanes will have significant benefits for bus passengers and cyclists, but we also recognise that we need to ensure all changes benefits as many people as possible.

“After reviewing the changes to Kennington Park Road we are reintroducing the parking bay at numbers 109-159 and will continue to monitor this location throughout the trial period.”

Pictured top: Kennington Park Road (Picture: Google Street View)