The Royal Borough of Greenwich has announced it will launch its experimental traffic order (ETO), which will see a series of low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) implemented across West and East Greenwich, on 27 November 2024.
In West Greenwich, four areas will be designated where vehicles are restricted from crossing between zones from 7am to 10am and 3pm to 7pm, Monday to Friday. Drivers who violate these restrictions will face fines enforced by automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras.
Affected roads in West Greenwich include:
Crooms Hill at Burney Street
Circus Street at Royal Hill
Royal Hill at Royal Place and Point Hill
Winforton Street at Point Hill
Maidenstone Hill at Point Hill
Lindsell Street at Greenwich South Street
In East Greenwich, new restrictions will apply to roads including:
Westcombe Hill near Station Crescent, where a bus gate will be installed
Vanbrugh Hill at Dinsdale Road, with another bus gate
Halstow Road
Maze Hill at Tom Smith Close
St Johns Park at Vanbrugh Park
Langton Way at Old Dover Road
The scheme follows a period of significant public scrutiny. Earlier this year, more than 79 per cent of residents and businesses responded negatively to a consultation into the scheme, prompting the council to be called to scrutiny and being made to reconsider parts of proposals.
The 12-month trial, which may be extended up to 18 months should changes during the scheme’s period be made, allows Blue Badge holders and individuals with special circumstances to apply for permits, granting access through restricted zones without penalty. However, some residents have raised concerns over the limitation to one vehicle per Blue Badge holder and questioned the qualifications of council staff in assessing ‘special circumstances.’ Exemptions also apply to special educational needs (SEN) and disability transport providers, minicabs, and licensed taxis.
Residents and organisations can apply for a permit here.
A leaflet distributed by the council this week outlined restricted routes that may present accessibility challenges for businesses and residents with mobility issues, irrespective of the dispensations offered, with small business owners dependent on vehicle access, including those transporting heavy equipment, expressing frustration over limited allowances under the new scheme.
Residents are also concerned about displaced traffic affecting Blackheath Hill, below, the only remaining hill in the entirety of Greenwich, which already sees over 32,000 vehicles daily and includes a high density of social housing tenants. In neighbouring Charlton, rerouted traffic near Victoria Way, which borders Fossdene Primary School, has raised additional safety concerns.
The scheme’s potential impact on emergency response times also remains a point of contention. An email from the London Ambulance Service to Greenwich Council in July highlighted potential delays due to anticipated boundary road congestion, even with ANPR technology, despite the council's continued claims that the scheme will help them get where they need to be faster.
The council will invest £1 million in implementing the LTN scheme, supplemented by £2.1 million from Transport for London. The announcement arrives as the council faces significant budget challenges, having recently outlined £30 million in cuts and a planned 4.99 per cent council tax increase in April 2025.