Our Sustainable Streets programme

Objectives of the Sustainable Streets programme

Our Sustainable Streets programme aims to address concerns about parking and make it easier and safer to get around local streets in Lewisham.

The Sustainable Streets programme is led by resident feedback. In areas we’ve already consulted, resident views have shaped the proposals – we are genuinely listening to feedback.

We want to hear feedback from local people. Do residents have problems parking near to where they live or work? Are residents concerned about pavement safety or accessibility for neighbours? 

To improve safety and visibility around junctions, we plan to introduce double yellow lines / junction protection markings. However, if there are no additional parking concerns in an area, these are the only changes we will make. Controlled Parking Zones will not be introduced if the feedback shows us that they are not wanted by the majority.

If a Controlled Parking Zone is requested in a specific area, we will also look at other sustainable measures such as electric vehicle charge points, cycle hangars, street trees, car club bays, safer crossings or extra double yellow lines. 

As a Council we are committed to reducing the number of car journeys in Lewisham and encouraging more people to walk, cycle and use public transport. This will increase road safety, improve air quality and make Lewisham’s streets safer, greener and more accessible.

Parking permit schemes aim to prioritise residents and businesses and can help to discourage unnecessary car use. We hope that by working together, Lewisham can make sustainable travel the easiest and most convenient choice for residents. This supports the borough’s response to the Climate Emergency, while enhancing quality of life for all.

Our Sustainable Streets measures include: 

More street trees 

More street trees help create greener streets, increase shade and tackle air pollution. We have a ‘Right Tree, Right Place’ policy and only plant species of trees that do not have an impact on homes or other infrastructure. 

Secure cycle storage

Residents want to see more cycle parking and secure storage on their streets, with over 1,500 people on the waiting list for a cycle hangar in Lewisham. Secure cycle storage enables more people to make journeys by bike, helping to reduce car journeys, traffic and pollution. 

Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points

To encourage more people to switch away from polluting vehicles, we are aiming to ensure everybody has an EV charging point within 500m of their home.

Safer crossing points 

Removing parked cars at either side of junctions and crossing points allows vehicles to see pedestrians, cyclists, and oncoming traffic more easily. We are introducing double yellow lines at all junctions across the area to make everyone using our roads safer. 

Car club bays

Car club usage is increasingly popular as an alternative mode of travel for those who don’t own a car and there are currently thousands of registered car club users in Lewisham. The availability of short term car use, as opposed to individual private car ownership, can help people save money and discourages unnecessary car journeys, helping to reduce traffic, congestion and pollution. 

For further information, please visit the FAQ page on this site.