A New Crossing for New Cross 

The problem:

The junction of Amersham Road and Parkfield Road in SE14 is deadly- both from a road design that makes deadly collisions more likely, and the staggering amount of air pollution. A white painted marking on the street creates a sense in drivers that they can overtake and speed with no problems as they leave the A2 gyratory, and a lack of official crossing means pedestrians dodge cars and sprint to cross. 

 
This intersection is briefly mentioned in an annex in the New Cross Area Framework as project NXR-TR-06, but the project is given only the time scale ‘long’ and no specific improvements have been committed to. 

The solution: 

We’re asking Transport for London (who owns the road) and Lewisham Council to cooperate and commit to an action plan with timescale on this intersection. We think there are a myriad of ways to improve it, from small to large: what’s missing is the political will. Our suggestions for TfL and the council to investigate include: 

• Widening the pavement where there is currently a crosshatching painting- reducing the visual space for cars and preventing them from speeding to overtake
• Implementing a timed crossing with traffic light that worked with the flow of lights on NX Road and Amersham Road which would make it much safer for all the pedestrians crossing
• Study removing the Amersham gyratory altogether and turning New Cross Road into a 2-way road when improvements are made during the Bakerloo Line Extension

The details: Studies have shown that wide roads and shoulders encourage speeding, so simply removing this excess visual space by widening the pavement where the crosshatching is painting would have a traffic calming effect. Low cost planters maintained by the community, bike parking, and a couple of trees to block off this space could be all that’s needed to change how drivers approach the intersection, encouraging them to slow down and be more aware of their surroundings, while having the bonus of a more environmentally friendly and improved pedestrian experience. Introducing a marked crossing that works with the existing traffic flow will ensure safe pedestrian space.

Our other suggestions go even further, and we believe that the use of multiple suggestions could really transform this area into one that parents aren’t afraid to walk when dropping off their children at nursery, and cyclists don’t dread going through. 

The Lewisham Strategy (2022-2026) states that: “We will do everything we can to ensure that over the next four years we make the borough cleaner and greener for our residents…We will enable more active travel, and aim to reduce reliance on cars, introducing new walking paths to connect our borough, making it easier and more pleasant to get about Lewisham by foot or bike.”

Let’s show them we value that commitment and ask for them to support and lobby for pedestrian improvements to the A2 gyratory! Let’s get project NXR-TR-06 budgeted for and committed to! 

Your voice: As this is the A20 and A2 we’re talking about, both Transport for London and Lewisham Council need to be on board. Help show that the community cares by signing this petition, which will then be sent to TfL and the Lewisham Council representatives of the ward to encourage them to take action and conduct further community consultations. 

We’re just local residents who care- have ideas? Want to help? Get involved and e-mail: amershamactiongroup@gmail.com or follow us on instagram @amershamactiongroup