Traffic reduction measures on the way for around Greenwich Park

By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter

Plans to bring traffic-calming measures into neighbourhoods on either side of Greenwich Park have moved forward, after residents claimed roads were left in ‘gridlock’.

Greenwich council has outlined a scheme to add traffic restrictions to roads surrounding Greenwich Park during rush hour.

Council documents said number plate recognition cameras would be added to the areas to block through traffic and be in operation on weekdays between 7-10am and 3-7pm.

Several vehicles would also be excluded from the scheme including blue badge holders, emergency vehicles, taxis and council bin trucks.

The authority said the plans had been put forward to make the areas around the park a ‘safer, healthier and greener place to live’.

The initial plans were revealed last August for consultation and would affect streets such as Royal Hill and Crooms Hill to the west of the park, as well as Maze Hill and Vanbrugh Hill in East Greenwich.

A Greenwich council spokesman said: “We have the fourth highest number of babies being hospitalised with respiratory tract infections.

“Traffic is one of the main causes of air pollution and 31 per cent of the borough’s carbon emissions. By reducing it we can make it easier and safer for people to walk and cycle.”

The neighbourhood management schemes, if approved, are planned to begin in the summer and run for a trial period of 18 months to allow for resident feedback.

Pictured top: Vanbrugh Hill is located in East Greenwich, near Maze Hill railway station (Picture: Joe Coughlan)