Survey on LTN Postponed Yet Again

Lewisham Council have announced that residents will be invited to give feedback on the Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) in the Lewisham and Lee Green area in late May. They originally promised that a survey would be distributed to residents in December, then it was postponed to March, and now to May.

The reason given is to allow for the impact of the “temporary” School Street closures to be included. But it rather suggests that they still hope the traffic will “evaporate” when it clearly is not doing so.

However, the on-doing lock-down restrictions are reducing traffic volumes so any survey undertaken now might not give an accurate view of people’s views. But residents are getting very frustrated about the failure to consult on the LTN and associated road closures after many months when they should have been consulted beforehand.

School Streets Consultation

Lewisham Council have now published a public consultation on their School Streets proposals (timed road closures near schools). It is not totally clear what is being proposed but the Newsshopper reported this:

“The measures being proposed within the LTN are not the traditional school street closures, but involve changing a number of the existing camera enforced modal filters to prevent cars driving through at pick up and drop off times during term time.

The changes would apply to modal filters in Dermody Road, Manor Lane, and Ennersdale road between 8am to 9.30am and 2.45pm to 4pm Monday to Friday, term time only, in both directions. If the proposed changes are implemented eastbound movement from Hither Green to Lee Green would be banned during peak times. Westbound movement from Lee Green to Hither Green would remain prohibited 24/7 both during and outside school term times. On Manor Lane, the current restrictions would remain in place apart from at school drop off and pick-up times when no traffic will be permitted to travel in either direction”.

Please go here to respond to the consultation: https://consultation.lewisham.gov.uk/corporate-policy-and-governance/school-restrictions-survey/ 

Note that it is not clear how those people without children will know when school term times are and when the restrictions apply.

Embarrassing Question Not Properly Answered

The following question was submitted to the Lewisham Council Meeting on the 3rd March.

Question asked by: David Lewis

Member to reply:  Councillor McGeevor

Question:

I'm a resident in Horn Park Lane and as a family the implementation of the barrier in Upwood Road has had an adverse effect on our lives with the Doctors, station and local shops now a problem to get to as well as the main roads at gridlock for hours on end. At a meeting held for residents in November 2019 by Greenwich council the possible closing of Upwood Road by Lewisham council was discussed and out of just over 100 residents present only 2 were in favour of the proposal. At closure the representatives of Greenwich said they would put this to Lewisham council as the numbers were so overwhelming. So could you please tell me did Greenwich consult with Lewisham about the almost unanimous anti LTN feeling of the residents and if so why were our opinions not considered.

Reply:

Greenwich Council did advise Lewisham Council of the outcome of the meeting with residents. However, the concerns raised were taken on board alongside many other ways we have been consulting with residents on the LTNs.

Not a very satisfactory answer as usual from Councillor McGeevor.

An Opportunity to Stand for the Council

Two Councillors have departed – one has died (Cllr Sue Hordijenko in Bellingham Ward) and one has left to get another job (Cllr Joe Dromey in New Cross Ward). Bye-elections to replace those councillors will likely take place in early May at the same time as the London Mayoral election.

This gives an opportunity for candidates to stand on an independent platform opposing the Council’s policies on Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and road closures.

If you are able and willing to stand for these part-time roles and live in Lewisham, please contact me.

Roger Lawson

Tel: 020-8295-0378