Drivers in Charlton and East Greenwich could face further restrictions in an attempt to ease problems which followed the introduction of a low-traffic neighbourhood in the area. 

Streets both east and west of Greenwich Park were closed during weekday rush hours in November 2024 in an attempt to tackle drivers using back streets as a cut-through. The scheme was made permanent in February.

Opponents of the scheme had claimed that the closures merely moved traffic to different areas, and residents in part of Charlton as well as the riverside area of east Greenwich had complained about increased traffic on neighbourhood streets.

Now a complex series of measures in Charlton, as well as bans on through traffic in parts of east Greenwich, are proposed to deal with the issues. A consultation began on Thursday and will continue for six weeks.

In Charlton, the low-traffic neighbourhood would effectively be extended east towards Victoria Way, with some tighter restrictions. The measures include:

  • Banning through traffic, except buses, from Eastcombe Avenue at the junction with Victoria Way at any time, and turning Fossdene Road and Calydon Road into “school streets”, closing them between 8am and 9.30am and 3pm to 4pm. 
  • Banning southbound traffic from Victoria Way, south of the junction with Elliscombe Road, at all times, stopping the use of these streets as a cut-through towards Charlton Lane and Marlborough Lane. No northbound restrictions are planned on Victoria Way.
  • Banning through traffic in the eastern section of Tallis Grove, between Bramhope Lane and Victoria Way, at all times, closing a cut-through towards Wellington Gardens. 
  • Banning eastbound traffic at Nadine Street, at the junction with Elliscombe Road.
  • Removal of some parking on Charlton Church Lane to create more room for two-way traffic.
  • Banning through traffic entering Banchory Road in Blackheath at the junction with Old Dover Road, ending a cut-through used by lorries heading to the Met’s Charlton car pound.
  • A zebra crossing in Marlborough Lane near Cherry Orchard School
  • Raised footway crossings on a number of streets to slow traffic down, including at the Eastcombe Avenue/Bramshot Avenue junction and on Victoria Way near Bowen Avenue, with rain gardens introduced on some. A number of parking spaces will be taken out across the area and some cycle parking spaces added. 
  • Full details on the Greenwich Council website.

The Charlton proposals follow separate “school street” proposals for the area around Sherington and Our Lady of Grace primary schools, which would close Highcombe, Lime Kiln Close and Sherington Road, and parts of Bramshot Avenue and Wyndcliff Road. 

Some of the proposals are similar to, but not exactly the same as, measures floated in Labour Party publicity in the area during the election campaign in the spring.

Hilly road in autumn with view of tower blocks in background
Traffic would be stopped from heading up Victoria Way or Elliscombe Road towards Charlton Road. Image: The Greenwich Wire
Residential street on sunny autumn day
Tallis Grove would also be closed to through traffic. Image: The Greenwich Wire

While the proposals are aimed at drivers dodging the existing low-traffic neighbourhood, they will also affect Charlton Athletic supporters used to parking in the area.

There will also be questions about what happens if drivers’ sat-navs take them to Charlton Church Lane and that street gets clogged up – which could affect the busy 486 bus to North Greenwich, and negate the benefits of the Eastcombe Avenue bus gate for the 380 to Blackheath and Lewisham. The lack of northbound restrictions on Victoria Way, towards the retail parks, is also a notable omission.

Since January, physical barriers have been placed on Charlton Church Lane on matchdays as a security measure.

Street corner pub
The Pelton Arms is at the junction of Pelton Road and Banning Street. Image: The Greenwich Wire

In east Greenwich, drivers had used Lassell Street, Collington Street and Pelton Road to reach Blackwall Lane and skip queues on Trafalgar Road. The council’s plans to fix this are:

  • Barring through traffic from Collington Street, a narrow side-road close to the river.
  • Barring through traffic from Banning Street at the junction with Pelton Road, outside the Pelton Arms pub.
  • Barring through traffic on Pelton Road on the west side of the junction with Christchurch Way, adding to an existing restriction on the east side.
  • The footway on Banning Street outside the Pelton Arms would be widened and a rain garden put in place, while other cosmetic works would also take place on Pelton Road.
  • Full details on the Greenwich Council website.
Street next to new-build flats
Collington Street would be closed to through traffic. Image: The Greenwich Wire
Residential street
Traffic would be barred at Pelton Road. The “works traffic” sign has been redundant for a decade. Image: The Greenwich Wire

The proposals in the riverside part of east Greenwich add to other restrictions placed in the area over the years to encourage cycling, with Cycleway 4 running along Old Woolwich Road.

Calum O’Byrne Mulligan, the cabinet member for transport, said: “Residents have made clear that they want to see changes to make Charlton and east Greenwich safer, quieter and more accessible, however they are getting around. 

“We’ve listened to residents, and developed these proposals in response to the comments and feedback of local communities, using traffic monitoring and technical assessments to ensure they address the key issues that have been raised. No decisions have been made, and we want to hear what local residents think.

“The feedback of the people who live in Charlton and east Greenwich will be an important part of helping determine how we can address the concerns that have been raised. I hope residents will look closely at the plans, find out more about the reasons behind them and share their views with us.”

A number of public drop-in sessions will be held in both Charlton and east Greenwich. More details about the sessions, as well as the consultations themselves, can be found at royalgreenwich.gov.uk/egc-nis and will run until December 21.

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