Eight community groups across Ladywell, Brockley and neighbouring areas have sent an open letter to Lewisham councillors urging accelerated action on the chronic traffic issues in the area.
The groups want the council to prioritise their neighbourhood in the next phase of the its Healthy Neighbourhoods programme.
Ladywell and Brockley “are increasingly burdened by high volumes of non-local through traffic,
largely driven by drivers seeking alternatives to the congested A2 and A20,” says the letter which has been organised by Brockley Better Streets and Healthier Streets for Ladywell.
It points out that Google maps consitently suggests the quickest route from the Old Kent Road to Lewisham and Catford “runs through all our residential areas.”
“This rat-running undermines the safety, health, and cohesion of our residential streets which were never designed to take this amount of non-local traffic.
The letter says current road use “prioritises cars while discouraging walking, cycling, other forms of active travel and
adversely impacts local bus services.”
The community groups say they strongly support the council’s vision for healthier, safer, and more liveable streets
and their recently published Active Travel Strategy.
They also welcome the council’s initial proposals for Healthy Neighbourhood measures in St John’s/Tanners Hill area.
But they say overall progress is too slow and piecemeal. “A more strategic, area-wide approach is urgently needed to address the interconnected nature of rat-running across our neighbourhoods.”
This letter calls on the Council to:
1) Accelerate the delivery of a comprehensive traffic reduction plan across Brockley, Ladywell and surrounding areas, informed by robust data and community engagement.
2) Implement area-wide modal filters and traffic calming measures to reduce through traffic and prioritise local access, walking, and cycling on all roads in the area, including B-roads.
3) Ensure equitable access and inclusion by improving crossings, footways, and public spaces for all users.
4) Coordinate with TfL and neighbouring boroughs to address any potential boundary road issues and ensure consistency in approach.
5) Commit to transparent consultation and co-design with residents, building on the extensive groundwork already laid by our local groups.
The community groups say they are ready to work constructively with the council to help shape and support these
changes.
“Our communities are united in their desire for safer, greener, and more people-friendly streets.”
Co-signatories of the letter are: Brockley Better Streets; Drakefell and Gellatly United; St John’s Society; Brockley Society; Lewisham Cyclists; Healthier Streets for Ladywell; Ladywell Society;, and People’s Action for Telegraph Hill