West Dulwich shop owners fearful of future if parking restrictions come into force
By Robert Firth, Local Democracy Reporter
Plans to charge drivers for street parking in West Dulwich will ‘destroy’ local shops, business owners have warned.
Lambeth council is finalising details of the scheme, which would stop cars from parking in roads in the area for free.
But businesses in Rossendale Road, a popular shopping spot, claim the proposed restrictions, through a controlled parking zone (CPZ), are not needed and will result in a loss of customers.
John Tullett, 72, owner of Autocar Repairs, a garage which has been based in the area for 37 years, said: “The CPZ will put us out of business on day one.
“Lambeth has not even told us what problem they are trying to solve. There’s not a parking problem here and West Dulwich (railway) station is not a big commuter station. People don’t tend to drive and then take the train from there.”
Katie Spence, owner of Wigwam, a toy shop in Rossendale Road, added: “I don’t think the CPZ is needed in the area. I don’t think there’s a problem with parking in this area, even on the weekend.
“If they put that in, it would destroy the shops. We get a lot of passing trade. People come from Sydenham and Crystal Palace to shop here because there are no other toy shops.”
The CPZ is one of a number of changes the council intends to make to streets in the area as part of a scheme to encourage walking and cycling, spearheaded by Lambeth’s deputy leader, councillor Rezina Chowdhury.
Traffic restrictions are currently being trialled on several side streets in the area, including Eastmearn Road, Tulsemere Road and Ardlui Road to stop them and other nearby side streets being used as a rat run between the South Circular and other main roads such as Rossendale Road.
Businesses said these restrictions, known as the West Dulwich low traffic neighbourhood (LTN), was already putting some customers off from travelling to the area.
Fadil Haxhiu, 35, owner of Chapter Barbers, said: “About 35 per cent of customers come by car and we have a lot of older people. It’s more difficult for them now.”
Denise Blake, 58, who lives on one of the roads inside the LTN, said she had enjoyed how peaceful her street had been since the restrictions came into place but had concerns about its impact on businesses on Rossendale Road. She said: “The streets have been much quieter. It was a rat race before. I’m worried if the shops are affected though.”
Last week, campaign group West Dulwich Action Group (WDAG) revealed it had gone to the High Court to get Lambeth council to scrap the LTN. The group is unhappy that the local authority has pressed ahead with the scheme despite over 67 per cent of residents expressing dissatisfaction with the proposals during consultation.
Lambeth council said the LTN was created in response to residents asking for traffic reductions on their streets and said it had made changes to the proposals following discussions with local people and businesses on initial plans in April 2023.
Cllr Chowdhury said: “Lambeth council is taking bold decisions to make neighbourhoods safer and healthier for everyone, especially young children and the elderly who are the most vulnerable to road danger and the effects of air pollution.”
Pictured top: John Tullett said the planned controlled parking zone would put his garage on Rossendale Road out of business on day one (Picture: Robert Firth)