Rolt Street

In late June 2021 we will be starting work to introduce a “pedestrian and cycle zone” on Rolt Street. This will close Rolt Street to all motor traffic and parking between the MOT centre and the café. At the entry points to the zone, the carriageway will be narrowed using footway 'build outs' to make the closure point more obvious, with signage put up at these points advising the nature of the restrictions, as well as on the approaches to the closure. In addition, the existing one way filter at the junction of Childers Street will be removed to allow all residents and businesses at the north-eastern end to access to their properties/premises.

As the scheme is on an emergency services priority route, the entry points to the pedestrian and cycle zone will be enforced using automatic number plate recognition cameras. This means that exemptions will apply to emergency service vehicles. A plan of the changes can be found at the bottom of the page.

These changes will be in place for a period of up to 18 months. During this period we will:

After this period we will review how the changes have performed and any feedback we have received before we decide whether to:

For more information about the changes and to comment please email: deptfordparks@lewisham.gov.uk

We are introducing these changes after considering the results of a public consultation which ended in January 2020. In that consultation we asked for your comments on proposals at five locations: Rolt Street, Scawen Road, Prince Street, Woodpecker Road and Canal Approach Greenway. Those proposals were developed through the Deptford Parks Liveable Neighbourhood project following the face-to-face and online community engagement which took place during 2018/19.

In the 2019/20 consultation we received 65% in support of full pedestrianisation of Rolt Street, and 62% in support of making Rolt Street westbound only except cycles, HGV through traffic banned and the one-way plug at Childers Street removed.

Following these responses, this year we will focus on those parts of four of the five proposals from the 2019 consultation that do most for making it safer and easier to walk and cycle locally while also being deliverable and affordable within the funding available this year. We are in discussion with TfL about securing further funding to progress the remaining elements of all five proposals, as this becomes available.

What is a 'pedestrian and cycle zone'?

A pedestrian and cycle zone is a traffic management measure that stops the majority of motor vehicles passing but allows pedestrians and cyclists through. The type we are introducing as part of the changes are similar to the ones shown in the photo below. The Rolt Street modal filter will be enforced by camera so that those with exemptions, such as emergency services, can still pass through. Any other traffic passing is caught on camera and the driver required to pay a penalty.

Will the restrictions be 24 hours a day, seven days a week?

Yes, once implemented the majority of modal filters will be active 24 hours a day, seven days a week. While areas may be most affected by through traffic during peak hours there is still a need to reduce traffic at other times of the day to encourage walking and cycling.

Are any exemptions allowed through the pedestrian and cycle zone?

At this location only emergency services are exempt from the restrictions.

How will emergency services be affected by the measures?

During the design phase the emergency services (ambulance, police and fire brigade services) are consulted on any proposed road changes and have the opportunity to feed into the design. The Rolt Street proposal will retain emergency access, as described above. It should be noted that some boroughs who have already implemented similar schemes, have seen decreases in emergency service response times, or have received letters of support from their local hospital for such measures in recognition of the role they play in helping key workers travel safely to work, and in supporting wider public health.

What if there is an issue after installation? Who do I contact?

You can provide feedback on the scheme via deptfordparks@lewisham.gov.uk, but if urgent, please contact the council switch board on 020 8314 6000, and they will take a message which can be passed to the relevant officer.

I’m a business with regular deliveries by large vehicles, how are deliveries affected?

Direct access to all properties will be maintained, but the restrictions may require a different route to be taken to get to your property or business. For businesses, it could be an opportunity to review your deliveries to see if you could reduce the frequency or change the method of delivery to help us to make this a success.

In addition, over the coming months we will be working with partners to pilot an e-cargo bike loan scheme in the borough. These can be used for both personal and business use, and can pass through the modal filters.

I run a business where I am picking up and dropping off goods across different sites all within quite a tight timeframe – how will I be affected?

In some cases your journey times may be slightly longer as you may need to take a different route to your destination. However, journey times for some drivers may be shorter as there should be less traffic during peak hours on local roads making it easier to travel in the local area.

Does this mean that I have to drive a lot further and down busy roads?

Inevitably some journeys may take longer but we also anticipate that some of our residents will make those journeys in the future, where possible, by more sustainable and active modes of travel such as walking, cycling or by public transport.

How will the changes be implemented?

In order to examine any impacts on the wider area, an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) will be used to implement the changes. An ETRO allows a restriction to be in place for up to 18 months before a decision is taken to either make permanent, make further changes or remove them altogether.

Phase 1 The Junction of Rolt Street with Childers Street from Monday 21 June – Monday 5 July.

From Monday 21 June our teams will be carrying out work at the junction of Rolt Street with Childers Street. Although the junction will remain open, care should be taken at this junction to maintain the safety of our workforce and the travelling public.

From Monday 28 June the junction of Rolt Street with Childers Street will be closed to all traffic. Pedestrian access will not be affected - and local diversions for traffic will be in place. Once these works are complete there will be two-way access at this point - but only as far as the SGS garage.

Phase 2 Railway Bridge to SGS Tyres Monday 5 July – Saturday 17 July.

From Monday 5 July footway works and a realignment of the kerb line will be taking place in front of SGS Tyres.

From Monday 12 July footway works and a realignment of the kerb line will be taking place on the opposite side of the carriageway to SGS Tyres – Rolt Street will be closed to all traffic from this point to the park café.

Phase 3 Trundleys Road to Woodpecker Road Saturday 17 July – Monday 26 July.

From Saturday 17 July for up to two weeks works to construct a raised crossing from Folkestone Gardens towards Woodpecker Road will take place. To facilitate this work and thereafter Trundleys Road will be closed with no vehicular access onto Rolt Street. This is to create the new pedestrian zone.

How will you assess the effectiveness of the changes?

The Council will be commissioning traffic surveys as well as working closely with TfL, to help understand how journeys are changing as a result. We will also be closely monitoring the feedback received.

How are the changes funded?

The changes are funded by Transport for London (TfL) through their Liveable Neighbourhoods Fund and Local Implementation Plan funds.

How long will the changes be in place?

The changes may be in place for up to 18 months. During this time we will monitor the performance of the changes. This is to inform any decisions we make to make further changes during the trial to address any issues that emerge after the start. During the trial period we will continue to monitor feedback and collect evidence on how the changes perform. This will inform the decision we make at the end of the trial period.

What happens at the end of the trial period?

At the end of the trial period, we will make a decision whether to make the changes permanent, make further changes or remove them altogether. At this stage we will consider the monitoring results, feedback and Council policies.