News on Lewisham Safer Streets

We have been using a temporary traffic order to put in a timed closure of Coulgate Street, restricting access to motor vehicles. Feedback from both residents and businesses on Comomonplace has been extremely positive with people getting a ‘real life’ insight into how our streets can feel if reprioritised.

Responding to the feedback from local people we have made some adjustments to the scheme, which will be put in place starting on Monday 14 December. These changes are:

- We have moved the southern closure further north to retain some parking for deliveries, emergency/ disabled access to the station

- The plastic barriers will be replaced with wooden planters

- We are making the closure 24/7 rather than 8am – 10pm to go further in our efforts to prioritise walking and cycling as well as maintaining space for social distancing.

Enforcement cameras have now been installed on Leahurst Road. The camera will enforce against 7.5 tonne vehicles from passing through the modal filter as well as enforcing the west bound movement through the modal filter.

We’ve continued to listen to feedback from residents regarding the George Lane modal filter and the impact on streets in the area.

As a result we are removing the existing modal filter and replacing it with a 7.5 tonne weight restriction to deter heavy goods vehicles. This change is intended to reduce traffic impacts being experienced in surrounding roads, most notably in Springrice Road. Works to change the George Lane filter will commence on Friday 18 December. This will be followed by further changes in the New Year as part of traffic management measures for lorries across the wider area.

This will mean that there will be a short period of time where lorries may use Springrice Road. However, it is expected that this will be minimal, and will be offset by a reduction in traffic overall as a result of the changes at George Lane. All measures will be accompanied by appropriate signage, including advanced warning signs. The sat-nav companies will also be notified of the changes and we will continue to monitor the area.

Our aim is to implement 26 school streets throughout the borough by the end of January. The School Streets schemes aim to radically reduce traffic around schools during drop of and pick up times, creating a safer healthier environment for pupils.

We already have ten schemes in operation, and work has started this month on delivering the remainder. We will continue to work with residents and schools and respond to feedback as the schemes become live over the coming weeks.

Additionally, we will be working towards delivering some extensions to these existing school streets, and potentially some new locations (subject to funding) by the spring.

We will also be announcing plans for some improvements to the roads outside schools in the Lee Green area in the New Year. In the interim, some road markings and signage needed on the approaches to the schools will be implemented in the week commencing 14 December, but this could change if the weather prevents the road markings from being laid.

We understand that the School Streets programme is a desired scheme among residents. We are keen to see School Streets rolled out across the borough and are working to implement these as quickly as possible.