News on Lewisham Safer Streets

We are continuing our work to develop the current programme of sites with a view to having them ready when schools reopen fully. However, if the Government decides to delay re-opening until after Easter, we will consider on a case by case basis whether to start school streets earlier this would be for the benefit of pupils who are currently still attending. The schools included in the programme include:

As you will understand our ambitious programme means that we working with different contractors and co-ordinating with multiple different suppliers. Many of our partners are experiencing difficulties in planning workloads with staff being off sick with COVID-19 and recent adverse weather conditions. Subsequently there may be unforeseen delays, making it difficult at this stage to give definitive timescales for when work will happen at each site.

Our intention is for the majority of the physical works to be complete by the end of February half term, aside from of a handful of schools where the works are more complex with a longer lead time. As usual we will keep residents and Commonplace updated as timescales become clearer.

Installing enforcement cameras

For those school street schemes that will have cameras to promote safety and adherence, we need to implement a period of testing on site before they become fully operational. We will notify residents in the vicinity of the closure before this happens. Those with properties within the schemes will receive a letter explaining clearly how to register for exemptions in advance.

We will be installing street signs which will also show when the school streets in operation. These signs will only operate during term times and be covered over using special ‘flaps’ during school holidays.