Its new Streets for People plan is based on the largest consultation ever run by the council. There were over 9,000 responses, with 73% of respondents saying they are concerned about the effects of climate change, and 72% worried about the impact of poor air quality on children.
Residents said they want more trees and green space; more accessible pavements; less traffic; better lighting; traffic calming; segregated cycling; cycle hangars and pedestrian crossings. The new plan sets out to deliver these, transforming streets and communities, improving walking and cycling routes and changing road layouts to improve bus journey times.
Cllr James McAsh, Cabinet Member for Clean Air, Streets and Waste, said: “When we launched our Streets for People strategy in July 2023, we committed to asking residents in every street what is most important to them – our new plan is based on what residents told us.
“We will make our streets more accessible and safer for everyone, young and old, including people with mobility issues, people who use wheelchairs or mobility scooters, the visually-impaired and people with children or pushing prams. We will also continue to invest in a network of safe and accessible routes for all types of cycles, ensuring Southwark is a borough in which everyone who would like to cycle, can.”
As part of its plans the council will also look to discourage through-traffic from using some residential streets, freeing up more space for walking, cycling, as well as green space for residents to get together to socialise and play.
Laurie Johnston from Southwark Living Streets, which campaigns for a safe, attractive and accessible walking and wheeling environment in the borough, said: “We support the plan’s commitment to creating safe, green, and welcoming streets across our borough.
“We're pleased to see action that will make walking a convenient, enjoyable and safe choice for all Southwark residents, on main roads and neighbourhood streets, whether for travel, work, health, or leisure. We look forward to working with Southwark Council to transform the borough into a first class destination for walking and wheeling.”
Some of the early improvements will be made around Great Suffolk Street, Union Street, Webber Street, Lovington Street and Pocock Street, as well as roads around Borough Market.
The council will continue to improve the area around Bermondsey Street, improving walking and cycling routes to and from London Bridge station.
This work builds on significant work to date including:
- 165 new pedestrian crossings installed over the last six years to make walking safer; more are planned to make it easier to walk across the borough.
- 29 School Streets schemes in place – these timed closures reduce congestion, and therefore air pollution, outside schools, encouraging parents and pupils to walk, cycle, scoot or use other greener ways to get to school. The council aims to get at least three new schools signed up each year.
- Free cycle training delivered to over 10,000 adults and children.
- Over 760 cycle hangars installed providing over 4,500 bike spaces;
- 1816 electric vehicle charge points installed
The Streets for People Delivery Plan will be discussed at the next Council Cabinet meeting on January 7.