Lewisham to Catford Walking and Cycling Changes The Lewisham Spine is our biggest campaign with potential to achieve a massive increase in cycling throughout the borough. Despite the shortcomings of this A21 emergency pandemic scheme, TfL have already reported a marked increase in cyclists on this route and no delay to buses. The Lewisham Spine is also a key manifesto commitment which the current Mayor of Lewisham was elected on, partly in response to our Climate Safe Streets Campaign, as well as being major part of the council's Transport Strategy in response to the Climate Emergency.
However imperfect the experimental scheme, it's an improvement on what came before. Now we benefit from a better southbound junction layout at Ladywell (by the fire station), and reduced risks of turning traffic at some side roads. However, there is much more to be done, and Lewisham Council are supportive of a permanent "Spine" scheme with segregated bike lanes linking Lewisham to Downham. This would be a similar standard to the recently opened Cycleway 4 linking Deptford to Greenwich and Tower Bridge. Get your comments in now and make sure active travel voices are heard! You can respond at the link here. If you want to see our views on the scheme, they're on our website here. We ask you to suggest the scheme should benefit from permanent segregated lanes, junction safety improvements and made permanent. We know from evidence across similar schemes across London that if a route is safe for people on bicycles, it will enable many more people to choose active travel rather than having to drive everywhere. We also know Lewisham residents have shown strong support for protected cycles in the past, with over 90% support for Cycleway 4. |
