Understanding the Sustainable Streets Programme

Residents and businesses in Brockley and Telegraph Hill have until 19 January to feedback on proposals for their local area. Those in Catford South, Hither Green and Lee Green have until Sunday 26 January. 

Cllr Louise Krupski, Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate Action and Transport, explains why it is important local people share their views and responds to some of the questions residents have asked about the programme: 

We’ve been rolling out the Sustainable Streets Programme across Lewisham because we want to make it easier and safer for those who can, to walk, cycle and use public transport. Back in 2019 we declared a Climate Emergency, and we need to do everything we can to tackle pollution and lower carbon emissions. 

Changes to our roads and parking arrangements often cause concern, so I wanted to answer some of the questions we’ve received and encourage people in Brockley and Telegraph Hill to look at the proposals and share their views before the survey closes on 19 January. Those in Catford South, Hither Green and Lee Green have until Sunday 26 January. 

Why are we doing it? 

The Sustainable Streets Programme is part of the Council’s wider plan to encourage more walking and cycling in the borough, discourage shorter car trips within and through Lewisham, and help households who are increasingly finding it difficult to park near their homes. As part of this process, last year we gathered feedback from residents about any parking issues they’d experienced, as well as the sorts of improvements they’d like to see in their local area. That feedback has shaped the proposals we are now consulting on. 

Will local people shape the outcome?

We want to hear from as many people as possible in the areas being consulted so we can make informed decisions. It’s an open and transparent process and we will take all views into account. As you can see from our survey site, we’ve already taken into account local views following engagement carried out last year. 

In areas we have already consulted, resident views have changed the proposals – we are genuinely listening to your feedback. 

What does it involve? 

The Sustainable Streets Programme provides the opportunity to improve streets by designing out pavement parking, which not only discourages walking but is a huge frustration to local residents, and to introduce double yellow lines around all junctions, which improves sight lines to help people cross roads safely.  Better organised parking also helps cyclists as the road can be navigated in a more consistent and safer way instead of them having to dodge poorly parked cars. 

We also see this as an opportunity to introduce more cycle storage and Electric Vehicle (EV) charging.  In spring we will see all the promised EV chargers being installed when funding we have secured for this will come into play.  Designing streets in this way is a complicated and lengthy process and takes a lot of officer time to put together, so it makes sense to design in these measures at the same time. 

We are also planting more street trees in the Sustainable Streets Programme areas.  We have received lots of comments about the need for more of this and we are looking to see how we can increase the number on offer.   

Does it go far enough? 

Some people have said that the Sustainable Streets programme does not go far enough, that we should introduce “build-outs” (essentially tree pits in the road) to get both more trees in place and control the flow of traffic better, reducing speeds.  We are listening to this and where we can, we will consider doing this, but the cost of planting a tree in this manner is much more expensive, so we will only be able to do this sparingly.  Residents have also called for more pedestrian crossings, and while this is not within the scope of the scheme, by organising parked cars and traffic flow better, opportunities for future improvements will be made easier to implement when we get sufficient funding, and the safety case is made. 

Cost 

One of the questions we get asked most, is about whether this is simply about ‘making money’. At the moment, despite successfully introducing the Sustainable Streets Programme in parts of Crofton Park, Catford, Deptford and Evelyn we have yet to break even.  We see this as a long-term investment in Lewisham’s public realm and the health of residents.  I have heard people say that the money we will raise from the parking charges all goes back to the GLA and does not benefit Lewisham. This is not true. The money received from parking permits is ring-fenced to fund transport and highways projects in Lewisham which benefit local residents. 

The money from the parking permit schemes is used to subsidise Freedom Passes for older people and disabled people. 

How much would parking permits cost? 

The cost of parking within the most common emission band (owners of cars with high emissions pay more) for a whole year is £154.01 or £2.96 a week - less than a return bus journey. 

Controlled Parking Zones 

There are many people who live in roads close to stations who struggle to find parking spaces near their home. The Sustainable Streets Programme aims to address this by ensuring parking is prioritised for local people. Some residents have argued that we could solve this by having a limited time CPZ in the middle of the day, say for two hours, to deter whole day parking.   However, this does not fulfil our stated aims of trying to reduce all short journeys through and within the borough; this will not deter residents from using their cars for a short journey in the times when the CPZ is not in operation. 

What about carers and Blue Badge Holders? 

We have gone a long way to ensure that carers are helped in SSP areas.  All residents who require help at home can apply for a permit which stays with them and can be used, not only by registered carers, but by family members too.  This does have to be applied for, but it is obviously vital that we do not open this system up for abuse.  Additionally, an important change has been made to Blue Badge Holders’ rights in Lewisham.  We are one of very few boroughs who now allow all Blue Badge holders to apply for a permit to park for free in any CPZ in the borough. 

Who is carrying out the consultation? 

Project Centre Limited are a company who specialise in designing sustainable transport initiatives and running public consultations on these issues.  

They are being managed and directed by Council officers to deliver the consultation in a cost-effective way. 

Who are Marston Holdings? 

Some people have asked for clarity about the relationship between Project Centre Limited and Marston Holdings. Marston Holdings is the parent company of a number of companies who work with local government and the private sector. In Lewisham, we also work with another Marston Holdings-owned company called NSL, who deliver our parking services. However, these companies operate separately to each other, and both have gone through strict procurement processes to deliver the individual contracts. Both organisations are responsible to and managed by Council officers. 

Climate crisis 

It would be remiss not to mention the climate crisis as part of the reason why we are proposing this work. We need to find ways to reduce traffic and congestion, improve air quality and lower carbon emissions to help tackle the Climate Emergency and create a nicer environment for local people – this is a key aim of the Sustainable Streets Programme. 

If you live, or own a business in a proposed Sustainable Streets Programme area please fill in the survey online.

People in Brockley and Telegraph Hill to look at the proposals and share their views before the survey closes on 19 January. Those in Catford South, Hither Green and Lee Green have until Sunday 26 January.