Brockley Cross/Geoffrey Road is a vital part of the Brockley community. Set within the conservation area, close to the station on the approach from New Cross, Lewisham and Nunhead directions, it is home to residents from diverse backgrounds, people who have lived here for decades, as well as families with young children, and pets; it's a base for numerous independent businesses. 

It is also unsanitary and a complete eyesore (even according to local councillors canvassing the area for votes). It has been neglected for too long, and its current state urgently demands attention as it undermines the area’s livability and threatens its ecological and aesthetic value.

Brockley Cross is covered with overflowing rubbish and food waste from local restaurants and is a target of frequent flytipping, all of which attract vermin, diminishing the quality of life for residents. This has created a severe sense of concern regarding the unsanitary state of the area. 

This is for many people travelling into Brockley, one of the first areas they encounter; for the residents, it's something they experience daily, affecting their quality of life and sense of community. 

This petition calls for Lewisham Council to take immediate and sustained action to address these pressing issues and create a safer, cleaner, greener Brockley Cross/Geoffrey Road.

The issues have been outlined below.

 

WASTE FROM LOCAL RESTAURANTS CREATES UNSANITARY AND UNSAFE CONDITIONS FOR RESIDENTS AND PEDESTRIANS

Restaurants on Brockley Cross dump their rubbish - bags filled with food waste (incl. meat), cooking oil containers, cardboard boxes, etc. - next to the pedestrian crossing near or on the tree pit. Rats and foxes are ripping open these bags and spreading food waste along the walkway (see images attached to this petition), which also attracts pigeons.

This is not only an eyesore, but it’s highly unsanitary. Children walk past this open waste on their way to school every day. Residents with visual impairment or in wheelchairs have complained of litter creating walkway obstructions and trip hazards.

The blue bin on Brockley Cross (used by restaurants Sikatio and Jerk Palace) is often left in front of residential housing, not only blocking public walkways but causing a public nuisance as it is slammed shut by restaurant staff at night.

Some restaurants improperly dispose of cooking oil down road grates, creating environmental hazards. This pollutes local waterways and contributes to broader ecological degradation in a so-called "conservation area" that should be a model for sustainability and preservation.

In general, the area, from Brockley Cross all the way up Geoffrey Road, is not being cleaned regularly enough, resulting in a build-up of litter, leaves, and debris. Despite occasional cleaning after resident complaints, the lack of regular street cleansing leads to a build-up of waste, which sometimes mixes with leaves and dog waste, posing further significant health and safety risks.

Despite frequent complaints, the council has unfortunately not taken any action to address this, making our collective support even more crucial.

 

ILLEGAL AND FREQUENT FLYTIPPING

Flytipping is a recurrent issue next to the pedestrian crossing, with items regularly dumped and left uncollected. On top of the rubbish bags described above, this creates a large waste piling, which local residents wake up to almost daily.

Examples of items spotted by local residents in recent weeks:

• Construction bags
• Broken furniture
• Old fixtures
• Mirrors
• Broken windows
• Exercise weights
• Mattresses

Despite frequent complaints, the council does nothing to address this.

 

NEGLECTED GREEN SPACES

Tree pits remain empty, and the remaining tree in the area (at the pedestrian crossing) is being used as a dump for rubbish, as described above. The lack of greenery and minimal landscaping makes Brockley Cross/Geoffrey Road feel rundown and uninviting. This neglect is particularly concerning in an area which supposedly prides itself on being a conservation area, where maintaining greenery and natural elements is critical to preserving the environmental and historical integrity of the space.

 

PROPOSED SOLUTIONS:

We, the residents of Brockley Cross/Geoffrey Road, demand that Lewisham Council take the following steps to address these issues:

1. Waste Management and Enforcement

• Ensure all restaurants use proper waste storage bins and designate new specific areas for rubbish disposal that do not create risks to public health.
• Remove licences of businesses that litter.
• Conduct regular health inspections of local restaurants to enforce compliance with hygiene and environmental regulations, including proper disposal of cooking oil.
• Extend measures to prevent flytipping, including fines and greening the area (see #3).

2. Street Cleaning

• Implement a regular street cleaning schedule, with increased frequency during high-leaf-fall months.
• Communicate the cleaning schedule to residents and ensure accountability for consistent service.

3. Greening the Area

• Replant trees in the empty pits and introduce planters to improve the area’s visual appeal and make it less of a target for environmental abuse.
• Issue fines to businesses that misuse green spaces by dumping rubbish.

WHY IT MATTERS

These actions are essential to:

• Create a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment for residents, families, and visitors.
• Ensure fair and adequate parking access for all households, including those in flats.
• Enhance the livability and attractiveness of Brockley Cross/Geoffrey Road as a community hub.
• Reflect Lewisham Council’s commitment to supporting its residents and maintaining high standards for public spaces.

CALL TO ACTION

We urge all residents and stakeholders to support this petition by signing and sharing it widely. Your voice matters in making Brockley Cross/Geoffrey Road a place we can all be proud of. Together, we can hold Lewisham Council accountable and ensure that these necessary improvements are made without further delay.