Traffic restriction trials aim to cut congestion and reduce health issues amongst children

Traffic restrictions will be trialled in Greenwich this Autumn in a bid to cut levels of congestion and pollution related health issues amongst children.

Following today’s decision by the Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Sustainability and Transport, Averil Lekau, the new measures will be trialled in east and west Greenwich over an 18-month period.

The trial will implement part-time camera-controlled restrictions on weekdays from 7am to 10am, and 3pm to 7pm, to stop traffic on 13 roads in west and east Greenwich.

There will be extended exemptions for blue badge holders, taxis, private hire vehicles, council refuse vehicles, and individuals and community groups in special circumstances such as children with special education needs.  

Roads with restrictions will still be open to people walking, cycling, and using wheelchairs.

Cllr Lekau said: “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 South London borough has the fourth highest number of babies being hospitalised with respiratory tract infections as well as one of the highest levels of childhood obesity in London, according to the council.

Cllr Lekau said: “Local people agree that there is an issue and were supportive of the vision for improving the environment, with less through-traffic, and better air quality but had concerns about the proposals.

“Following what residents said, big changes have been proposed – including part time closures and significantly extended exemptions.”

Both neighbourhoods suffer from high levels of through traffic and poor air quality, despite the fact that more than 50 per cent of residents in East Greenwich ward and Greenwich Park ward do not own cars.

Since October 2022, the council has written to more than 9,200 households and businesses in the area and held seven events attended by more than 400 people regarding the new measures. 

In total more than 8,000 responses were received across both phases, including 3,000 in the second phase.  

Residents can feedback during the trial and the council said it will “closely monitor” the impact of the measures and gather air quality, traffic and road safety data, and further changes can be made if necessary.     

An equality impact assessment will also be carried out during the trial.

At the end of the trial a decision will be made to keep, remove, or change the trial scheme based on resident feedback and the monitoring data that will be collected.

Read the Council’s decision report for more information and the feedback received from the previous consultation.      

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