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Southwark Council publishes proposals to improve the Dulwich Streetspace schemes

18 September 2021

Following extensive consultation with Dulwich residents and businesses, and careful analysis of a range of monitoring data, Southwark Council has published its proposals for measures to improve local streets, increase active travel, improve air quality and ensure local children have a safe and healthy journey to school in the Dulwich area.

The proposals aim to maintain and expand the many benefits of the temporary schemes, such as a significant increase in cycling, and reduction in car journeys, whilst also responding specifically to concerns voiced by residents and businesses.

The consultation process was conducted through a combination of consultation responses, public meetings and focused community engagement with key stakeholder groups.

The majority of respondents (55%) were supportive of the overall aims of the programme as set out as priorities in the survey.

In particular, a majority of respondents (77%) agreed that improving air quality and road safety on the street where they lived was an important priority.

The largest level of support in the survey (82%) was for improving air quality and road safety for local schools.

The individual elements of the trial measures attracted a range of views, with a majority of respondents saying they would like to see changes to the current measures.

In response to these findings, the proposals include:

  • Maintaining existing traffic controls and active travel measures but with significant changes and improvement
  • Timed restrictions reduced by half to link more closely with school drop-off and pickup times
  • Improved access for all emergency services
  • New map based signage
  • Clearer policies for enforcement and fines that will apply across all low traffic schemes
  • Exemptions for Blue Badge holders, Taxis, SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) travel and rapid response healthcare workers
  • New measures to improve the local environment, and support communities and businesses, including green screens, cycle storage

Since the council first introducedthe measures, the Government has reiterated its expectation that councils will take measures to encourage active travel with the mention in recent guidance that local councils should not remove schemes unless they are demonstrably not meeting their objectives to support active travel.

Cllr Rose, Lead Cabinet member for Transport said: “We know that any changes to our streets and road network can be controversial, and divide opinion. We use our streets for so many things, and how we use them will need to change over time, as we respond to the climate emergency, poor air quality, and congestion. Many people live along key routes and all our roads are residential, so we must find ways to reduce the overall number of journeys made and vehicles on all our roads.

“As a council we must ensure we listen to all views, consider the data, and find balanced solutions that improve the area for all residents, now and in the future. I think the proposals we’ve published today do just that, allowing us to keep the considerable benefits of the temporary scheme, but improving them based on local feedback. We are working to build a long term set of measures that reflect the points of agreement and shared priorities amongst the community, of which there were many, whilst addressing the concerns expressed during the consultation.

“I want to give my sincere thanks to all residents and businesses for their involvement in many months of engagement and consultation. Inn many respects this is the start of many more conversations with residents, schools and local businesses, and I hope it is evident that we have worked really hard to find solutions that respond to the concerns raised.

We remain committed to maintaining a network of safe walking and cycling routes that puts the wellbeing and safety of our residents first and foremost, including local schoolchildren, and that is why we are creating the largest travel to school zone in London to support over 15 schools across the wider Dulwich area

Residents and businesses have two opportunities to comment on these proposals:

1) They can respond to the published report by emailing streetspace@southwark.gov.uk by Monday 27 September. This is a formal opportunity to share your thoughts on, and any objections to, the details set out in the report. Your comments will inform the formal decision by the Cabinet Member to proceed to consultation on the Traffic Management Orders that permit the changes set out in the report.

2) The council will then launch a three-week consultation linked to the 21-day statutory objection period for the Traffic Management Orders. This will be a further opportunity for residents to have their say on the proposals, before any changes come into effect.

All feedback and representations can be made by sending an email to streetspace@southwark.gov.uk

Full details of the proposals can be found in the report which is published at: www.southwark.gov.uk/dulwichstreetspacereview

Page last updated: 18 September 2021

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