Greenwich Council to put 13 roads under partial traffic restrictions

The trial is set to start from autumn and the council says the plans are a result of “high levels of traffic and poor air quality” in both east and west Greenwich neighbourhoods, despite many local residents not owning their own cars according to Census data from 2021.

Since October 22, Greenwich Council has introduced a phase of consultation proposals to Greenwich residents, with 5,000 responses received for the initial phase and 3,000 responses received for the second phase.

During the consultation, 9,200 Greenwich businesses and residents were contacted with a total of over 8,000 responses received.

What will this mean?

The trial will introduce part-time camera-controlled restrictions on weekdays, running from 7am to 10am and 3pm to 7pm during peak times, to prevent traffic on some roads in west and east Greenwich.

The trial will also involve extending exemptions for blue badge holders, taxis, private hire vehicles, council refuse vehicles, and individuals and community groups in special circumstances, such as children with special education needs.

Greenwich Council confirmed that restricted roads will still be open for walkers, cyclists and wheelchair users, with all houses on affected roads accessible by car, although some drivers may be required to take a different route.

All households and businesses within the impacted neighbourhoods will be contacted by the council to explain the trial, along with information on how to apply for exemptions if eligible.

Which roads will be affected?

East Greenwich

• Westcombe Hill (junction with Station Crescent) – Bus gate
• Halstow Road – Camera enforced traffic filter
• Vanbrugh Hill (junction with Dinsdale Road) – Bus gate
• Maze Hill (junction with Tom Smith Close) – Camera enforced traffic filter
• St Johns Park (junction with Vanbrugh Park) - Camera enforced traffic filter
• Langton Way (junction with Old Dover Road) – Camera enforced traffic filter

West Greenwich

• Crooms Hill (junction with Burney Street) – Camera enforced traffic filter
• Circus Street (junction with Royal Hill) – Camera enforced traffic filter
• Royal Hill (junction with Royal Place) – Camera enforced traffic filter
• Royal Hill (junction with Point Hill) – Camera enforced traffic filter
• Winforton Street (junction with Point Hill) – Camera enforced traffic filter
• Maidenstone Hill (junction with Point Hill) – Camera enforced traffic filter
• Lindsell Street (junction with Greenwich South Street) – No entry (into Lindsell Street)

During the trial, residents will have the opportunity to submit feedback by way of an experimental traffic order, sharing their first-hand experiences of how the new system is working.

Greenwich Council will monitor local air quality, and safety data to explore any further changes following the trial period.

Following the end of the trial, it will then be decided whether to keep, remove or amend the trial scheme, based on resident feedback and data collected during the trial period.

A spokesperson for Greenwich Council said that they recognised that there were “strong feelings” on both sides of the issue and that a series of exemptions and amendments had been introduced to the proposal following consultations with residents.  

Averil Lekau, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Environment and Transport, said: “How we all choose to move around our borough can impact whole communities in positive and negative ways.

“We have the fourth highest number of babies being hospitalised with respiratory tract infections as well as one of the highest levels of childhood obesity in London.

“Traffic is one of the main causes of air pollution and 31 percent of the borough’s carbon emissions. By reducing it we can make it easier and safer for people to walk and cycle.

“This is one of the aims of our transport strategy, alongside calling for improvements to public transport and encouraging a shift to low emission vehicles.”

“I recognise there are strong feelings on both sides. Local people agree that there is an issue and were supportive of the vision for improving the environment, with less through-traffic, and better air quality but had concerns about the proposals the Council consulted on during phase two. 

“Following what residents said, big changes have been proposed – including part time closures and significantly extended exemptions.

"I also welcome the feedback from my fellow councillors and residents who attended the scrutiny meeting on the 31 July.

“I have considered their recommendations which are reflected in the updated decision report.”