Ladywell Live
  • Local News
  • Community
    • Community Groups
  • Neighbourhood
    • Where to Eat/Drink
    • Other Local Businesses
    • Family Support – Resources
  • Local History
  • Ladywell Assembly
    • About Ladywell Assembly
  • Ladywell Society
    • About Ladywell Society
  • Contact
  • Local News
  • Community
    • Community Groups
  • Neighbourhood
    • Where to Eat/Drink
    • Other Local Businesses
    • Family Support – Resources
  • Local History
  • Ladywell Assembly
    • About Ladywell Assembly
  • Ladywell Society
    • About Ladywell Society
  • Contact
CommunityLocal NewsTop Stories

Mayor’s decision to modify Lee low traffic neighbourhood scheme ‘will stengthen opposition’ to traffic controls in residential areas

by Tony October 18, 2020
October 18, 2020

Tim Collingridge, a keen Lewisham cyclist, offers a personal view on Mayor Damien Egan’s move to change the Lee Green LTN

Mayor Egan’s recent controversial decision to “open up”the Lee Green Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) is unlikely to prove satisfactory to either the many supporters of the LTN or the very vocal opposition. 

For opponents the changes will be seen as too modest with the one-way nature of some of the re-openings just adding to driver confusion, while for supporters the failure to see out the trial period will be a huge disappointment. 

The local view is that after an overly extended implementation period the LTN was just beginning to function as planned with the residential streets carrying dramatically lower levels of motorised traffic, families starting to walk and cycle more, local businesses taking advantage of the released street-space and some using cycle deliveries.

There is a sense among supporters that the Mayor is primarily responding to a coordinated and vocal opposition campaign from motorists from both within and outside the ward, somewhat discounting the views of the many local residents who are in favour of the scheme.

 It is also worth remembering that just under 50 per cent of Lewisham households do not have access to a car. The Mayor has called a public meeting on October 22 at 7pm where both sides will have an opportunity to express their views on the adjustments to the scheme.

The decision to allow motor vehicles through several of the filters, in one direction only, undermines the basic principle of an LTN that there should not be any through motor vehicle routes.

 Fast moving through traffic will again blight the lives of Lee Green residents deterring people from walking and cycling. Narrow roads like Leahurst Road will go back to carrying the high levels of through traffic normally associated with a main road.

There have admittedly been issues with traffic displacement to adjacent areas which have been exacerbated by the extended implementation period of the LTN and continued contravention of the camera controlled filters.

 However, local residents believe the traffic displacement issues could be alleviated by introducing further filters in these areas, expanding the LTN and bringing the benefits to more Lewisham residents. 

The roll-out of LTNs across the borough is an established council policy and an essential element in its response to its declaration of a Climate Emergency.

All London boroughs are facing the same multiple critical issues – Climate Emergency, Covid19 epidemic, pollution crisis, obesity crisis and traffic danger, all of which are caused or exacerbated to a greater or lesser extent by motorised traffic. 

LTNs are seen as the only proven way to solve these issues, particularly as there has been a relentless, and continuing, increase in motorised traffic on London’s residential streets over the past 10 years. 

Other South London boroughs like Lambeth, Southwark and Greenwich are also grappling with these issues but are continuing their LTN roll-outs despite opposition.

As the current measures are temporary, being implemented under the Covid legislation, formal consultation with local residents would be needed before they become permanent. So this is a trial and it seems very pre-emptive to dramatically modify the scheme at this time rather than waiting for the end of the period.

 Experience in other parts of London suggests associated reductions in traffic volumes due to “traffic evaporation, as people choose other active modes of transport or other routes, take quite a few months to take place.

In Ladywell there are many residents who are calling for similarly enforced reductions in through traffic in their residential areas and there is a long-standing active campaign in Brockley for filters to inhibit the traffic.

As we are all too aware much of this traffic ends up queuing on Vicars Hill every afternoon. Campaigners are concerned that although Mayor Egan has confirmed that he is still committed to LTNs, his watering down of the Lee Green one will make it harder for him to raise further funding from TfL/DfT and also face-down future opposition.

Mayorpollutiontraffic
0 comment
1
FacebookTwitterWhatsapp
previous post
Concerns raised over release of hazardous contaminants when Ladywell car wash site is developed
next post
2020 Mayor’s awards will recognise those who played critical role in Covid-19 reponse

Related Posts

Ladywell ward panel sets out three priorities for...

May 16, 2025

Lewisham council wins case against owner who converted...

May 13, 2025

Brockley Max 2025 – just two weeks to...

May 13, 2025

Residents up in arms over disruption caused by...

May 13, 2025

Gillian Street building to be demolished to make...

May 9, 2025

Brockley Max needs volunteers – details here

May 6, 2025

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Ladywell Society News

Search the site

Sign up for our newsletter

Recent Tweets

Tweets by LadywellLive

Tag cloud

Arts Assembly Brockley Brockley Max Business catford cemeteries charities community Coronavirus council Council cuts Crime cycling development environment FoBLC green spaces health high street Hilly Fields housing Ladywell Ladywell assembly Ladywell history Ladywell Society Lewisham Lewisham Council lewisham local Local business Local History Mike Guilfoyle Music NCIL planning Playtower police pollution safer neighbourhoods shops street trees traffic transport Volunteering volunteers

Recent Comments

  • Sandra Margolies on Brockley Max 2025 – just two weeks to go!
  • Catford Mews closes as Lewisham borough's only cinema repossessed - The Greenwich Wire on UPDATE – Council looks at applying for Heritage Lottery funding for Play Tower after developers Guildmore delay starting work amid rising costs
  • PL on Three projects – Ladywell Fields play area, Max in the Park, Christmas trees – recommended for NCIL funding
  • Slum clearance: Pear Tree Cottages, Loampit Vale – Long & Lazy Lewisham on Know your neighbourhood: Maude’s memoir recalls the rickets and deprivation of Ladywell’s Botany Bay
  • CROFTON COLUMN - Autumn News - HopCroft Neighbourhood Forum on Oscar’s couple Joel and Alina look at other options for restaurant in Ladywell after dropping plans for former Coral betting shop

Categories

  • Assembly
  • Community
  • Featured
  • Ladywell Society
  • Local History
  • Local News
  • Neighbourhood
  • Slider
  • Top Stories
  • Uncategorized
  • Twitter
  • RSS

Privacy Policy
Designed and Developed by Catbytes

Read alsox

Lewisham Local’s fun-filled afternoon in the Fields

August 10, 2022

UPDATE: The Larder named Best Local Deli in...

April 9, 2025

Council sets out long term vision for green,...

September 12, 2020
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok