Share your views on our Sustainable Streets programme
Our Sustainable Streets programme is being rolled out in phases across the borough and we are currently consulting people in Deptford and Catford/Crofton Park on proposals for their area.
You can complete the consultation survey online or by post. Paper copies of the consultation survey can be collected from Deptford Lounge (SE8 4RJ) or Ackroyd Community Centre (SE23 1DL). They can also be requested via email (consultation@lewisham.gov.uk) or phone (020 3745 4547).
Pop-up information sessions are taking place in various public locations, both indoors and outdoors, to raise awareness about the consultation, encourage people to complete the survey and provide an opportunity to ask questions. These are information sessions, rather than formal consultation meetings, and the views of residents and businesses are being collected and recorded through the consultation survey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the aim of the Sustainable Streets programme?
We want to reduce the number of car journeys in Lewisham and encourage more people to walk, cycle or use public transport. This will help improve road safety, reduce traffic and congestion, improve air quality and lower carbon emissions, helping tackle the Climate Emergency and creating a nicer environment for local people.
In order to achieve this, we want to introduce more sustainable transport measures, including new street trees, electric vehicle charging points, secure cycle storage and car club bays. We receive a lot of requests from residents for these sorts of measures, which help to encourage active travel and create more sustainable streets for local people.
We also want to ensure that parking is better managed in the borough. Over 75% of roads in the borough currently have unrestricted parking. This can result in parking difficulties for some local residents and means there is limited road space for new sustainable transport measures. It also encourages unnecessary car journeys into and around the borough, contributing to traffic, congestion and air pollution.
Why are parking permit schemes proposed?
The introduction of parking permit schemes aims to ensure parking is prioritised for local residents and businesses, as well as funding the delivery of new sustainable transport measures and reducing unnecessary car journeys into and around the borough.
What is the money from parking permits spent on?
The money received from parking permits is ring-fenced to fund transport and highways projects in Lewisham which benefit local residents. This is the case for other parking permit schemes already in operation in the borough.
The money from the parking permit schemes proposed would fund the new sustainable transport measures in these areas, including more street trees, electric vehicle charging points, secure cycle storage and car club bays.
Money from parking permit schemes is also used to subsidise Freedom Passes for older people and disabled people, providing them with free travel on buses.
How much do parking permits cost?
On average, the cost of an annual residential parking permit is around £12 a month or £3 a week.
The cost of a parking permit is calculated based on the emissions of a vehicle. You can check how much a parking permit would cost for your vehicle using our online permit calculator tool.
In areas where new parking permit schemes are introduced, residents and businesses will receive a 15% discount on the cost of their annual permit for the first year. Residents and businesses will also be able to pay for their annual permit in monthly instalments.
Blue Badge holders in areas with a parking permit scheme can apply for a free annual resident permit. Carers of residents in areas with a parking permit scheme can also apply for a free carers permit, allowing them to visit free of charge for up to four hours.
I don’t have a problem parking on my road – why do we need a parking permit scheme here?
We know parking pressures vary from road to road. While some people may find it easy to park on their street, many residents have difficulties parking near their home – particularly on roads close to train stations or high streets. Introducing parking permit schemes in these locations will help to ensure these residents can park near to their home.
In order to avoid displacing non-residential parking onto nearby roads that do not currently experience significant parking pressures, we normally take an area-wide approach when introducing new parking permit schemes. This approach has been successfully implemented in other areas across the borough and can help to reduce parking pressures on certain roads without negatively impacting other residents.
Introducing new sustainable transport measures also requires reallocating road space currently used for car parking. The introduction of parking permit schemes alongside these sustainable transport measures will ensure that the remaining road space available for car parking is prioritised for local residents and businesses.
Is it possible to introduce new sustainable transport measures without parking permit schemes?
Introducing new sustainable transport measures is only possible with the funding from the parking permit schemes proposed, as a result of the limited financial resources available to the Council.
These measures would also require the reallocation of road space which is currently used for parking. As a result, parking permit schemes are needed to ensure that the remaining parking space is prioritised for local residents and businesses.
What about people who need to drive?
While we want to reduce the number of car journeys in Lewisham, we know some people still need to drive, such as people with mobility impairments or people who need to drive for work.
Parking permit schemes still provide residents with the option to own a car and park near their house, while encouraging those who can to make more journeys on foot, by bike or on public transport.
Blue Badge holders in areas with a parking permit scheme are able to apply for a free annual permit. We are also proposing to install more disabled bays in locations where they have been requested by residents, making it easier for people with mobility issues to park near their home.
The proposals also include the installation of more car club bays, helping people who need to make occasional journeys by car, but may not own a vehicle.
How much do visitor permits cost?
A book of 10 one-hour visitor permits is included in the cost of an annual residential parking permit. The current cost of additional visitor permits is as follows:
- Book of 10 one-hour permits: £16 (£1.60 per hour)
- Half-day permit (up to five hours): £3.20
- Day permit: £6.40
- Week permit: £25.60
Carers of residents in areas with a parking permit scheme can also apply for a free carers permit, allowing them to visit free of charge for up to four hours.
Any resident aged over 60 who is in receipt of Council Tax support will also be provided with a free book of 10 one-hour visitor permits.
How will these proposals impact local businesses?
Our Sustainable Streets programme aims to make it easier for people to walk, cycle or use public transport to get to local shops and high streets, helping to support local businesses.
The introduction of new parking permit schemes will also discourage people from parking near local shops and high streets for non-business purposes, making it easier for other residents who need to drive to visit local shops and high streets.
We would encourage local business owners to fill out the consultation survey so that we can hear their views and ensure our Sustainable Streets programme meets their needs. We are also carrying out face-to-face consultation with local businesses in the consultation area to ensure they have the opportunity to share their views.
Are parking permit schemes in operation in other parts of the borough?
Yes – many areas in the borough already have parking permit schemes in place. This ensures that parking is prioritised for local residents and businesses, as well as discouraging unnecessary car journeys to the area.
When will a final decision be made about the Sustainable Streets programme?
The consultation for the first phase of our Sustainable Streets programme is open until 5 March 2023.
Once the consultation closes, the results will be analysed and the proposals will be reviewed in response to the feedback received. A report will then be presented to a meeting of Mayor and Cabinet, who will decide how to proceed with the proposals.
If a decision is made to proceed with these proposals, it is expected that implementation will begin in Summer 2023.
Who is responsible for managing parking in the borough?
The management and enforcement of parking in the borough is managed by NSL Parking Services on behalf of the Council. All of the money received from parking permits or Penalty Charge Notices goes directly to the Council and is ring-fenced to fund transport and highways projects in Lewisham which benefit local residents.
Who are Project Centre Limited?
Project Centre Limited are a company who specialise in designing sustainable transport initiatives and running public consultations on these issues. They are supporting the Council to run our Sustainable Streets consultation, allowing us to deliver the consultation in the most cost-effective way.