Lewisham and Lee Green Low Traffic Neighbourhood
The Lewisham and Lee Green Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) was considered by the Council’s Mayor and Cabinet in January 2022, following an extensive review that considered data including traffic counts, speed monitoring, consultation feedback and air quality monitoring, to understand how the LTN has performed against the Council’s policies and priorities, as well as those set out across London and nationally.
The LTN was introduced in July 2020, and was revised in November 2020 following feedback from residents. We are continuing to monitor traffic and air quality data within and around the LTN.
What is a Low Traffic Neighbourhood?
Low Traffic Neighbourhoods aim to create safer, cleaner and greener streets by reducing through-traffic and discouraging non-essential car journeys.
Low Traffic Neighbourhoods close roads to vehicular traffic at specific points, known as modal filters. In the Lewisham and Lee Green LTN, these filters are marked by physical planters or signage and camera-enforced restrictions. Cyclists, emergency vehicles and waste vehicles are permitted to pass through, and Blue Badge holders living in Lewisham are able to apply for an exemption.
What is the status of the recommendations agreed by Mayor and Cabinet?
There were five key proposals that were agreed by Lewisham’s Mayor and Cabinet in January 2022:
- that a permanent traffic order retaining the revised Lewisham and Lee Green LTN be published, and that the statutory processes be conducted
- that the physical modal filters within the Lewisham and Lee Green LTN be converted to automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera enforcement and that Lewisham blue badge holders and emergency services are exempt
- officers work with schools in the LTN area to implement traditional school streets, where schools are supportive
- to continue to monitor the area using a range of indicators. This includes, but is not limited to, traffic counts, speed surveys, air quality and bus journey times
- additional complementary measures are implemented within the LTN and surrounding areas, subject to statutory processes and detailed design, including:
- planters/trees and green spaces
- additional electric vehicle charging points
- additional bike hangars and cycle stands
- additional and/or improved pedestrian crossing points
- new benches
We are currently progressing with these key approvals and you can read about the latest progress in each of these areas below.
1. Permanent traffic orders
Traffic orders are statutory legal documents that councils use to set out parking and other on-street restrictions.
The Council advertised the permanent traffic orders for 28 days and considered objections and comments. Recommendations were presented in a decision report, which was then considered by the Director of Public Realm. Following this process, a decision was made to make the order permanent.
2. Design of modal filters
The physical modal filters within the LTN have been converted to automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera enforcements. This will help improve access for cyclists, emergency services and Blue Badge holders, as well as reducing operational costs.
Following the completion of the statutory traffic order process, designs have been completed and new signage and cameras have been installed in October 2022. Going forward, enforcement measures will be used to ensure people continue to follow the restrictions in place.
Lewisham Blue Badge holders can obtain an exemption by following the process outlined on our Blue Badge webpage. Lewisham Blue Badge holders must receive confirmation that their exemption has been processed before driving through the LTN restrictions.
When a motorist is observed driving through a camera-enforced LTN restriction, a clip is sent to a review team. The review team will request details from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). The DVLA will inform us of who is the Registered Keeper of the vehicle. A Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) will be issued to that person by post within 28 days.
Once a PCN is issued, a payment of £130 must be made. A discounted rate of £65 is offered if payment is made within 14 days. The amount due will increase over time if the PCN is unpaid. Any unpaid PCNs will eventually be passed to an enforcement agent for debt collection.
3. School streets
In response to the clear support for road safety measures for children outside schools, both in the feedback to the public consultation for the LTN and the consultation for school measures, it is recommended that School Streets should be installed subject to discussions with the primary schools in the area. School Streets close streets outside schools to traffic at the start and end of the school day, making it safer and easier for children to walk, cycle or scoot to school.
School Streets have been introduced at the following schools:
- Trinity CofE Primary School
- Trinity CofE Secondary School
- St Winifred’s RC School
- Brindishe Lee School
- Brindishe Manor School
- St Saviour’s RC School
Residents who live on School Streets are able to apply for a School Street Exemption Permit to enter and exit the road if they need to when the School Street is in operation.
Details about the School Streets programme, operation times and roads affected can be found on our School Streets webpage.
4. Monitoring
We’re continuing to monitor the LTN using a range of indicators, including traffic counts, speed surveys, air quality and bus journey times.
- read the monitoring report update from September 2022
- read the full monitoring report from September 2022
5. Complementary measures
The introduction of a new package of complementary environmental measures was approved at Mayor and Cabinet in January 2022, subject to detailed designs and discussions.
These additional measures respond to the priorities of local residents and will be introduced in and around the LTN to further support people to walk and cycle, helping to create safer and greener streets.
Further details about these additional green measures and progress on delivery are set out below.
Electric vehicle charging points
We have identified locations for 12 new charging points within the LTN area, based on comments made by residents and partners during the consultation period. These have been installed and locations of all available charging points in the borough can be found online on Zap Map.
If you're interested in an EV charging point near your property - inside or outside the LTN - please complete the EV charging point request form.
Bike hangars
New bike hangars have been installed at 19 locations, based on demand and resident requests.
If you're interested in a cycle hangar near your property, please complete the cycle hangar request form.
Street trees
New street trees have been planted at 35 locations within the area. All new street trees planted meet our 'Right Tree, Right Place' policy.
New benches
We are identifying suitable locations for new benches and seating.
New/improved crossings
We have started works to make improvements to the crossings on Leahurst Road and Ennersdale Road, which we expect to be completed by the end of April. These improvements will complement the School Streets in the vicinity and support pedestrians in the area, with safer crossing points, wider footways and better visibility. The works include:
- pavement widening and a new tactile crossing point on Leahurst Road by the junction of Ennersdale Road
- pavement widening and an improved pedestrian crossing point on Ennersdale Road between Leahurst Road and Pascoe Road
- a new raised pedestrian crossing point to replace the previous width restriction on Leahurst Road and pavement widening
The works to improve the crossing point at the one-way section of Leahurst Road have commenced and that section of Leahurst Road is currently closed to through traffic until the works are complete. The road will be reopened by Friday 14 April. Please note the restriction will be removed over the Easter Weekend.
The works to improve the crossing point on Ennersdale and introduce the new crossing point replacing the width restriction on Leahurst Road will commence from Monday 17 April and expect to be completed by Friday 28 April. To limit disruption to drivers, the roads will not be closed to through traffic. Instead, the road works will be done in sections and ‘priority’ signs will be in place to manage traffic flow.
How is Lewisham's LTN performing so far?
The outcomes from monitoring, evaluation and the consultation show that:
- the LTN has encouraged more walking and cycling
- 39% of consultation respondents agreed that there was less traffic within the revised LTN
- traffic levels reduced by 42% between March 2019 and April 2022
The restrictions
You can find out more about the LTN restrictions here.
You can also download a map outlining the restrictions.
Frequently asked questions
You can find out more about the LTN and answers to our most commonly asked questions by downloading our FAQs.