Findings released and improvements announced

Thank you to all of you have given your feedback about what you want for the future of Deptford High Street over the last two years. Looking ahead, we want to build on what is great about Deptford, making sure the area reflects the needs of everyone in the community. 

We have carried out extensive engagement, ensuring residents and businesses help shape the future of this historic and iconic street. This has included workshops, pop-up events, face-to-face visits with traders and community members and a comprehensive online survey. 

In addition, we organised targeted outreach through local networks, hosted drop-in sessions at community venues. We received over 2,000 detailed comments. Thank you for your contribution.

Following the consultation held in April and May this year, we decided to prioritise further enhancing the high street, and that no pedestrianisation scheme will come forward without further engagement.

What mattered most to you 

• Maintenance and cleaning: The consultation revealed strong public interest in improving cleanliness and waste management. Many people welcomed our focus on the area, particularly through enhanced waste collection, and cleaner streets. 
• Safety and anti-social behaviour: Enhancements such as improved lighting were well received, and many felt this would make the high street feel even more welcoming. 
• Pedestrianisation concerns: Local people felt this could lead to a loss of temporary parking and increased difficulty for deliveries and emergency access. 
• Greenery and planting: This was broadly supported, especially tree planting. 

To find out more about how feedback has influenced the future of Deptford High Street, read the full engagement report or an illustrated two-page summary 

Responding to feedback, we have already repainted the lighting columns along the high street, and neighbouring Douglas Way and Creekside, removing graffiti and stickers. A deep cleaning exercise of the footway areas along the whole length of Deptford High Street is programmed in for this month.

Further action includes

• further deep cleaning of footways and removal of graffiti 
• removing old phone boxes, damaged signs and poles 
• extra enforcement to tackle illegal parking and anti-social behaviour
• improved waste and fly-tipping management, including installing more bins
• introducing additional planting in the area, including new sustainable drainage systems and rain gardens
• improved lighting, especially under the railway bridge  
• enhanced signage and wayfinding to make it easier to get to businesses
• installing cycle hangars 

We will keep you updated as more improvements tale place. Thank you again for having your say.