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We are continuing to deliver on our commitment to introduce School Streets with support from the schools, parents and residents.

School Streets are timed closures of roads outside schools, which prevent vehicular traffic passing through at the start and end of the school day. Evidence from well-established schemes suggest School Streets can significantly improve air quality near the school, reduce traffic volumes, and increase the number of pupil’s walking and cycling to school. School Streets also support social distancing, preventing crowding on the pavement at school pick up and drop off times. Unfortunately, there have been some delays to implementing our plans owing to due to COVID-19 and bad weather.

However, nine school streets are already in operation around these schools:

Tidemill Academy

Prendergast Ladywell

Kelvin Grove

Ashmead

Coopers Lane

Conisborough College

All Saints

Adamsrill

John Ball

In addition we aim to introduce school streets from 19 April in roads surrounding these schools:

Deptford Green

Gordonbrock

Rushey Green and Holy Cross

Eliot Bank

Brindishe Green

Holbeach

Myatt Garden

Rathfern

Athelney

Lucas Vale

Haseltine

Kilmorie

St John the Baptist

St William of York

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.

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.

We will delivering 16 new School Streets with support from the schools, parents and residents. This will bring the total number of school Streets in the borough to 26.

School streets are timed closures of roads outside schools, which prevent vehicular traffic passing through at the start and end of the school day. Evidence from well-established schemes suggests School Streets can significantly improve air quality near the school, reduce traffic volumes, and increase the number of pupil’s walking and cycling to school. School Streets also support social distancing, preventing crowding on the pavement at pick up and drop off times.

School Streets schemes have already been introduced at ten local schools. Feedback from staff, parents and residents has been very positive. On hearing the news that their child’s school would be joining the scheme earlier in the autumn, one parent wrote:

“Just a quick email to say how happy I am to hear that the school streets road closure is coming to Myatt Garden Primary School. It definitely puts children first before cars. Well done to whoever was involved in making this happen.”

Another comment from a local resident and parent about the scheme at All Saints Primary School read:

“Honestly I really like the school street closure. Seeing the children and parents walking down the road without any risk makes it the best solution. And I can guarantee that my neighbours have the same opinion.”

Viv Nicolls, the Head Teacher at Prendergast Ladywell, said:

“Since starting the School Street project in September, Ewhurst Road has become a cleaner and kinder place to be at pick-up and drop-off times. With COVID restrictions limiting access to our school site, our families are able to congregate outside of our school gates with the knowledge that the street is a safer place to be. As Head of School, I monitor the School Street each day equipped with my 'walkie talkie' and 'hi-vis jacket'. By doing this, our staff have been able to connect much more with our local community - it is great to say hello to not just our own families but local residents too. We are expecting cameras to monitor the School Street from January rather than staff, however we fully intend to continue to be a presence at the beginning and end of the day to maintain the positive relationships that we have formed with local residents. Due to the success of the Ewhurst Road project, our next priority will be to make access to our other school entrance in Sinclair Place a School Street.”

We have been working with primary schools and local communities on the schemes which see vehicles restricted from entering the streets unless the drivers live there or have a business on the street. Emergency service vehicles can still enter at any time. Work on the new schemes will begin in December with an aim to have them finished by the end of January.

Hackney Council reported in June that around nine of the schools where it has implemented measures, traffic had reduced by 68 per cent and the number of pupils cycling had increased by over 50 per cent. Vehicle emissions outside those schools were down by 74 per cent. Evidence from Waltham Forest Council shows that their scheme has reduced traffic around schools during the peak time by 80 percent and has significantly reduced the NO2 concentrations.

Councillor Sophie McGeevor, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment said:

“School Streets are a powerful tool in our armoury to fight air pollution, reduce traffic and create a healthier, safer borough. They run alongside our declaration of a climate emergency, the council’s long term transport strategy and promotion of walking and cycling to address inactivity as alternatives to driving.

“Their implementation means improved road safety and a reduction in needless engine idling. Residents nearby are also seeing the benefits from having less traffic on their streets at those times. I would like to thank the hard work of many teachers who support the schemes at the beginning and end of each school day”

“We already have ten schemes in place. I’m pleased that we can add these 16 schools, Haseltine, Rathfern, Myatt Garden, Kilmorie, St William of York, St John the Baptist, Lucas Vale, Athelney and Good Shepherd, Eliot Bank, Coopers Lane, Gordonbrock, Rushey Green, Holy Cross, Brindishe Green and Holbeach schools will all benefit.”

Existing Schools Street Schemes

As part of our continuing work on developing and adapting the LTN, listening to residents’ views and concerns, we have been updating Sat Nav providers with the changes we have made, to support people on journeys using the new layout. However, some information may take time to filter through to their systems, so please be sure to check our signage rather than completely rely on the Sat Nav instructions, as newer changes may not have been added yet.

We are committed to tackling the climate emergency and promoting sustainable travel and are pleased to be able to say that the borough now has 100 electric vehicle charging points.

The use of EVs is on the increase throughout London, especially in the business sector, and the Mayor of London predicts the volume of EVs on London’s roads will double by 2023. We will continue to expand the network of charging points over the coming year, in preparation for the implementation of the expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone next October.

This complements our wider transport programme which seeks to encourage sustainable modes of travel, with a strong focus on increasing walking and cycling journeys. However, we do recognise that some residents may need a vehicle based option for some essential journeys, and we want to make the transition from petrol and diesel to EVs as smooth as possible for everyone.

We have been listening to feedback from residents and the impacts to streets in the area. As a result, we will be making changes to the measures we originally put in place on George Lane.

In December, we will be removing the existing modal filter and replacing it with a weight restriction preventing access to heavy goods vehicles. This is aimed at alleviating heavy-goods and other traffic pressure from Springrice Road, while providing George Lane residents with protection from lorries.

In the New Year this measure will be complemented with additional traffic management measures in the wider area with appropriate signage, including advanced warning signs and updating Sat Nav companies. More information will be shared in due course.

We will continue to monitor this area.

We are in contact with schools in the LTN area about the introduction of School Streets, a scheme which brings timed closures of some streets around school drop-off and pick-up times. We are looking to introduce the scheme to schools within the LTN as quickly as possible.

We have already worked with many schools across the borough to implement similar schemes, which help improve road safety and air quality for children travelling to and from school each day. So far we have introduced 10 schemes, with another 16 planned between now and January.

The schemes also aim to support people in making as many trips as possible to and from school on foot or by bike, rather than by car. They are an important part of our strategy to promote sustainable travel and of our wider commitment to tackling the climate emergency.

Back to school safely

From September, we will be rolling out the first phase of our School Streets programme across the borough. As part of our COVID-19 response we have been working with Transport for London (TfL) to plan a healthy and safe return to school for pupils, parents, teachers and local residents.

Measures will help pupils and parents to socially distance at the school gates, and create a safer environment for walking and cycling to school. It is expected that measures will also help improve the air quality at the school gates and encourage daily routines that incorporate exercise.

Roads close to schools can be busy with traffic at peak times, causing congestion, poor air quality and road safety concerns for all. A short road closure at the busiest times will help to reduce the impact for those living close to the school and for parents, children and staff going to and from school. Vehicle access will be restricted at specific times at the start and end of the school day, during school term only. The closure points will be supported by signage advising the times of the closure, and advanced warning signage will also be in place.

We’re currently agreeing the details with the schools in our first phase of the programme and we will share further details on where the School Streets will be located and what to expect next week. Please keep an eye on the Commonplace website for further details. LINK

More to come on A21 improvements

Last week Transport for London (TfL) announced temporary measures to improve cycling and public transport along a busy 2km stretch of the A21 between Lewisham and Catford as part of the London Streetspace improvement programme. Lewisham Council supports the principle of improving conditions for pedestrians and cyclists along the A21 corridors, but has some concerns regarding the potential impacts of some of the specific proposals. The starting date for work that was originally proposed - 24 August - has been postponed, whilst we and TfL work together urgently to consider alternative temporary proposals and develop a scheme agreeable to both organisations. Our joint aim is to improve safety on the A21 for pedestrians and cyclists as soon as possible, without significantly impacting on Lewisham’s resident and road network. Check our Commonplace website for the latest news.

Lewisham and Lee Green Low Traffic Neighbourhood

Yesterday, there was a road traffic incident at Burnt Ash Road and Police redirected traffic onto Manor Lane in order to safely disperse traffic in the area. We’ve had a number of enquiries about whether vehicles will be liable for penalty charge notices for travelling on roads where traffic was being diverted by the Police and enforcement cameras are in place. We can confirm that drivers of those vehicles being diverted will not be penalised.

We continue to receive a lot of feedback and ideas for further improvements to the Lewisham and Lee Green Low Traffic Neighbourhood, specifically the roads surrounding the area. We are currently assessing ideas to take account of TfL’s recently announced improvements to the A21 and the School Streets programme and actively looking at options for surrounding areas.

Thank you to everybody who has provided feedback to us on the temporary measures we’ve been introducing across the borough. Your feedback is crucial in helping us to make it safer and easier to walk and cycle, to prevent traffic from taking short-cuts down known rat-runs, and to create space for pedestrians and bikes at key pressure points to support social distancing.

Data is being gathered to build up a full picture of the impact of the changes. We have baseline measurements on traffic volume and air quality, and are starting to take comparative measurements now. We continue to ask what the findings mean for our residents and local businesses. This will inform the plans moving forward. The timescales for considering whether schemes should be permanent will be informed by the easing of the lockdown restrictions and travel patterns settling into a 'new normal'.

Enforcement cameras for Lee Green

From today, cameras are being installed at all four modal filter locations on bus and emergency services routes: in Dermody Road, Manor Lane, Manor Park and Ennersdale Road. This means that any driver, with the exception of bus and emergency vehicle drivers, who passes through these filters will be recorded on camera and issued with a penalty charge notice. The charge is set by London Councils at £130 (or a reduced rate if paid within 14 days). It is expected that this will help reduce some of the traffic taking alternative that have been identified to the west of the railway line.

Responding to your feedback

We have received a large number of comments on the Lee Green Low Traffic Area in particular, following the introduction of modal filters (planters and bollards) to stop motorists using side streets as short cuts. In response to many of these comments, we have been:

• Increasing the number of road signs and making them easier to see in areas where drivers told us the signage wasn’t clear enough, for example in Upwood Road and Woodyates Road.

• Installing extra bollards on footways to ensure that motorists cannot avoid the filters by driving on the footway.

• Working with Satnav providers to update their systems after motorists told us they had been directed down a road they couldn’t drive through – and then had to make a U-turn in a small, residential street.

Supporting local businesses in Brockley

Coulgate Street, near Brockley Station, is being closed from Monday to through traffic from 8am until 10pm each day to help create safe space for social distancing and to support the economic recovery of local businesses as shops, cafes and other businesses reopen. The measures are in response to over 300 comments from local people and following discussions with local businesses.

If you would like to suggest a scheme, please visit the website to add your ideas. If you are interested in applying for a pavement licence, you can find information on how to apply here.

Help us stop vandalism

Some of the planters and bollards have been vandalised. Vandalism is a criminal offence and if you see anyone committing this, please report it to the police first by calling 101 or online, ideally adding photos or video footage and a registration number if you can – but not if it would mean putting yourself at risk. After this, please report the damage to us via the Council switchboard on 020 8314 6000 with confirmation that you have reported it to police. We will seek to reinstate it as soon as possible. Our funding is limited so making these repairs will impact on our ability to introduce further measures to support these schemes.

We’ll be sending updates every Friday so please tell friends and neighbours who may be interested in hearing the latest project news to sign up for updates.

Thank you for contributing to the Commonplace map, which now has over 1,100 comments and suggestions. This is a clear demonstration of the level of interest in measures to support walking and cycling and social distancing in Lewisham. Your comments are helping to inform the Council’s ambitious plans and we are grateful for your local insights and your time.

As many of you will have experienced personally, there has been a noticeable increase in walking and cycling since the start of lockdown as movement was restricted. In March this led to an improvement in air quality by up to nearly a third in some areas of Lewisham, as well as creating quieter and safer streets.

We need to take steps to ensure that as lock down restrictions ease those people walking and cycling do so safely, whilst also maintaining social distancing. As people start to return to work and doing the school run again there will be an increase in journeys. However, we know there will be limited public transport capacity, with Transport for London estimating there will only be 13-15% capacity as a result of the need for social distancing. It is therefore vital to protect pedestrians and cyclists during this time, enabling them to socially distance while travelling. The alternative is a surge in car use which would lead to an increase in air and noise pollution, greater congestion and more dangerous residential roads. Additionally, for the majority in Lewisham, jumping in their cars isn’t an option - with only around half of households in the borough having access to a car.

The Council will therefore create more space for people on our high streets and busy areas, with eight locations identified so far:

• Deptford High Street

• Luxmore Gardens

• Coulgate Street

• Sangley Road

• Foxberry road

• Dartmouth Road

• Staplehurst Road

• Hither Green Lane

• Wells Park Road

Additionally, eight locations are currently being investigated for pop up cycle lanes at these locations:

• A21/A2209/A2210 corridor (including Deptford Church Street, Brookmill Road, Lewisham High Street, Bromley Road)

• Lewisham Road corridor

• Belmont Hill, Lee Terrace corridor

• Brockley Rise, Brockley Road, Shardeloes Road corridor

• Perry Hill corridor

• Southend Lane, Downham Way corridor

• Lee Road, Burnt Ash Hill, Baring Road corridor

• Ladywell Road corridor

Another measure taking place is the implementation of School Streets, as schools start to return. This will protect children, parents and staff allowing them to socially distance during pick up and drop off times. The roll out of the schools will be prioritised using these criteria:

• footway widths less than three metres,

• higher traffic volumes,

• higher pupil numbers, and

• school support for the programme.

If you are a parent at a local school please write to your Headteacher and offer your support for a School Street.

The other key measure is to create quieter and safer residential streets. To achieve this we will be introducing over 30 modal filters across the borough. Modal filters can be implemented using a planter box or an enforcement camera and they prevent vehicular traffic using residential roads as rat-runs or short cuts and crucially still allows residents to access their homes and emergency service access. This reduces traffic on what should be quiet residential roads making them safer for residents and improving local air quality. These initial modal filter locations have been prioritised based on pre-lockdown evidence of the worst rat-runs in the borough and where there are concerns that higher traffic levels would be likely to return. We will be announcing these locations in the coming weeks on the Commonplace website and in an update to this mailing list. We will be continue to seek feedback on these modal filters when they are implemented and suggestions for where additional ones may be needed can be made via Commonplace.

Additionally, the Council is applying for our share of the £45 million pot of TfL emergency funds to support a range of our initiatives. We will also be applying for additional funding from government as and when it is announced.

Thank you again for your continued interest and ideas in developing a transport network that protects public health and safety during this pandemic.