Active Travel Strategy
By improving roads, travel infrastructure and public spaces, we aim to create a healthier, safer, and more sustainable borough.
We want all active travel journeys - whether for leisure, shopping, school, or work - to be safe and accessible. Our goal is to ensure everyone can walk or cycle easily from their home to any destination, and we are committed to improving our roads and public spaces to make this possible.
This strategy focuses on creating and prioritising active travel corridors. In this strategy, ‘corridors’ refer to key walking and cycling routes across Lewisham that connect important places like schools, parks, transport hubs, and town centres.
By building on existing routes, we aim to deliver as many improvements as possible over the next seven to ten years.
We want to stress that we are not going to be making any immediate changes, rather this is an exercise for us to see the best Active Travel corridors in the borough and how people can get easily from A to B by walking, cycling, scooting or wheeling.
What this document does not do is set out exact routes to achieve a corridor, these will all be determined with further planning and consulted on individually when a route is proposed.
As part of this, we want to understand the best way to use the funding we receive to prioritise and strengthen any grant fund application for safer, healthier routes for pedestrians and cyclists. Any proposed route will be subject to public consultation - we want to hear from residents about how we can best support active travel in a way that meets local needs.
This Active Travel Strategy is a strategic document based on data to determine the best corridors through Lewisham. The exact routes will be determined at a later date, following our review of feedback we receive. We will consult on it thoroughly to ensure we capture as many voices and views as possible.
What is active travel?
Active travel refers to journeys made by modes of transport that are fully or partially people-powered, for example, walking, wheeling, scooting (including legal electric scooters) or cycling.
Why is active travel important?
- health and wellbeing - encouraging active travel helps people stay active and reduces health risks
- cleaner air and climate action - fewer cars mean lower emissions and better air quality
- safer streets - better walking and cycling infrastructure will reduce accidents and improve safety
- stronger local economy - pedestrian-friendly spaces attract more people, supporting local businesses and communities
- equality and inclusion - streets designed for all ages and mobility-levels make active travelling easier for everyone
What are we doing?
We’ve identified and ranked 21 priority active travel corridors across the borough to improve walking and cycling routes. These were shaped through engagement with stakeholders and selected using a data-led assessment to ensure funding and resources are used effectively.
Now we want to know what you think of the improvements that could be explored as part of this, including:
- wider, more accessible pavements
- safer, protected cycle lanes
- more pedestrian and cycle crossings
- traffic-calming measures
- secure cycle parking
- greener streets with rest areas
For the full list of corridors and potential improvements, read the full Active Travel Strategy.
How can you get involved?
We want to hear from local residents, businesses, community groups and visitors on ways you think your local area could be improved. Your feedback will help shape the direction of our strategy.
Have your say
- tell us what you think by sharing your thoughts in the survey - Lewisham Active Travel Strategy - Citizen Space
- join our online Webinar on Monday 30 June 6.30-7.30pm, which will offer an overview of the strategy and a Q&A session
- attend our drop-in sessions – join our engagement sessions and talk to officers about the strategy
- Thursday 19 June 2-6pm: Forest Hill Library (community room)
- Tuesday 24 June 2-6pm: Downham Library
- Wednesday 2 July 2-6pm: Manor House Library (Baring Room)
You can also receive a paper copy of the survey at the below libraries:
- Forest Hill Library
- Downham Library
- Manor House Library
Alternatively, you can request a paper copy by contacting the team at activetravel@lewisham.gov.uk or +44 207 509 6493.
We’ve also created a quick-read version of the Active Travel Strategy for residents.
Why does Lewisham need an Active Travel Strategy?
Lewisham’s previous Cycle Strategy (2017) was developed before key national, regional, and local policies were introduced, including the Transport Strategy and Local Implementation Plan. Travel habits have changed significantly since then, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
We have also launched new initiatives like the Healthy Neighbourhoods and Sustainable Streets Programme, making it essential to create a clear, data-driven plan to guide active travel over the next seven to 10 years.
How will the strategy be used and how does it fit with other Council initiatives?
The Active Travel Strategy aligns with national, regional, and local policies and sits under the Transport Strategy and Local Implementation Plan. It provides a long-term roadmap for improving active travel, helping to secure funding and guide future projects.
It also integrates with other Council initiatives, such as:
- Healthy Neighbourhoods
- School Streets
- Sustainable Streets
- Cycling and walking training & events (e.g., Dr Bike, school travel planning)
- road danger reduction measures
- cycle parking and dockless bike schemes
By coordinating with neighbouring boroughs and ensuring projects are both practical and affordable, the strategy creates a stable, long-term framework for making Lewisham safer and more accessible for walking, cycling, scooting and wheeling.
I just took part in a survey for Sustainable Streets, how is this different?
Our Sustainable Streets programme aims to address concerns about parking and make it easier and safer to get around local streets in Lewisham. We wanted to hear feedback from local people and find out if residents had problems parking near to where they live or work or were concerned about road or pavement safety or accessibility for neighbours.
What do we mean by 'Active Travel Corridors'?
In this strategy, ‘corridors’ refer to key walking and cycling routes across Lewisham that connect important places like schools, parks, transport hubs, and town centres. These routes have been identified for improvements, such as:
- wider pavements
- protected cycle lanes
- safer pedestrian crossings
The exact details of each corridor will be refined during the planning stage, based on further analysis and consultation. The goal is to make these routes safer, more accessible, and convenient for everyone to use.
How were the 21 priority corridors chosen?
The corridors were identified and ranked based on stakeholder feedback, traffic data, accessibility needs, connectivity to key destinations such as schools, parks, and transport hubs, and levels of deprivation, which shows a clear link to serious injury/death on roads, as evidenced by Transport for London.
How will these changes benefit me?
You’ll experience safer streets, better air quality, improved health, enhanced connectivity and accessibility, and more enjoyable walking and cycling routes. Businesses will also benefit from increased footfall.
Will these changes impact car use?
The strategy aims to make walking, cycling, and public transport the easiest and most convenient choices. By improving active travel options, we hope to reduce unnecessary short car trips, easing traffic congestion while keeping the borough moving.
Will accessibility be improved?
Yes, the strategy includes wider pavements, safer crossings, step-free routes, and better cycling infrastructure to ensure accessibility for all. These improvements ensure greater accessibility for wheelchair users and those with mobility impairments.
How will the delivery of this strategy be funded?
Funding will come from multiple sources, including Transport for London (TfL), Section 106 agreements, Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), and the Active Travel Fund.
When will improvements start?
After a robust consultation, projects will be rolled out over the next seven to 10 years, with some initial improvements happening sooner.
Next steps
This consultation on the Active Travel Strategy is expected to close on Sunday 20 July 2025.
Once the consultation ends, we’ll review the feedback and present a Key Decision report to Mayor and Cabinet for approval. Reports are made public and shared a week before the meeting.
We will also make sure anyone who completed the survey will be notified of the findings via Citizen Space (where the majority of people will complete the survey).
This report will include the consultation findings and guide the next steps for implementing the strategy.
For more information, contact activetravel@lewisham.gov.uk or +44 207 509 6493.