South east London boroughs has been ranked in an annual survey measuring how healthy their streets are for cyclists and pedestrians.

The Healthy Streets Scorecard London sets out data to reveal the impact of the capital’s roads according to nine indicators.

The scorecard is produced by a coalition of transport, health, road safety and environment organisations: London Living Streets, CPRE London, Sustrans in London, RoadPeace, London Cycling Campaign, Future Transport London, Possible and Wheels for Wellbeing.

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Bexley and Bromley have been shown up as poor performers, ranking 30th and 27th out of London’s 33 boroughs with scores of 2.1 and 3. 

Lewisham and Greenwich performed better, ranking mid-table in 17th and 18th, with scores of 4.6 and 4.2.

The criteria by which boroughs are judged are divided into four ‘outcome indicators’ and five ‘input indicators.’

The input indicators monitor to what extent boroughs are putting in place measures to dramatically improve air quality and road safety, boost active lifestyles and reduce carbon emissions.

The outcome indicators are the proportion of trips made by different forms of transport, the proportion of residents making at least five journeys by cycling or walking weekly, the number of road casualties and car ownership rates.

Bexley has low scores on almost all indicators even when compared to other outer London boroughs, according to the report.

A better-than-average performance in relation to lower rates of road casualties amongst those walking and cycling is overshadowed by below-average ratings in every other area.

Use of sustainable modes of travel and levels of regular walking and cycling are all amongst the lowest in London, while car ownership is one of the highest in the capital.

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Fewer than a fifth of the roads (16%) are covered by Controlled Parking Zones, under 5% of suitable residential roads have through-traffic restrictions (Low Traffic Neighbourhoods), and just 9.7% of borough roads have 20mph speed limits.

The borough is criticised for taking “little advantage” of the Streetspace for London programme with no new Low Traffic Neighbourhoods or School Streets (where traffic is restricted around schools at arrival and departure times).

For many of the Scorecard indicators, Bromley has some of the lowest scores among all London boroughs.

The use of sustainable modes of transport is also very low, while car ownership rates are high.

Along with Barnet, it has the lowest level of roads with a 20mph speed limit, the lowest proportion of roads covered by controlled parking; relatively low provision of protected cycle track, and the fourth lowest provision of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods.

Levels of regular cycling are among the lowest across London. Even its action during the pandemic has been barely visible.

While five per cent of Bromley’s schools now have School Streets, this is fewer than the London average of 15%.

Bromley does have relatively high levels of regular walking and low rates of road casualties amongst those walking, but the borough’s cycling casualty rate is well above the London average.

Although Lewisham has improved its overall score, the borough fell one place to 17th this year.

Lewisham was an early adopter of 20mph speed limits, which cover 95% of the borough and has embraced school streets.

The early promise that was seen in 2020 with Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) has failed to materialise and level of LTN coverage (12%) is well below the London average (19%) and far behind the leaders (Hackney at 55%).

Greenwich is now one of the better performing outer London boroughs, with the lowest number of cars per household, and one of the highest proportions of households living without a car (44%).

In the last year, Greenwich and TfL have worked on several major schemes along Cycleway 4, projected to go out to Woolwich and beyond.

There was some criticism over a lack of School Streets, Controlled Parking Zones and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods.