Lambeth Council is advancing its vision for safer, greener, and more accessible neighbourhoods with the third phase of improvements to the Peckham to Streatham Healthy Route. This project, part of the borough’s Healthy Routes network, connects areas in and around Herne Hill, Tulse Hill, and Streatham, prioritising quieter streets for walking, cycling, and wheeling.
Since its inception in September 2020, the Healthy Route has made strides in encouraging active travel. The first phase introduced cycle lanes on Norwood Road near Brockwell Park. Phase 2, completed in February 2022, added traffic wands to the northbound cycle lane on Norwood Road, meeting Transport for London (TfL) cycling standards, and a parallel zebra crossing at Leigham Court Road to improve safety for students at Dunraven School. Following positive public consultations, these changes were made permanent in 2023.
The latest phase focuses on the stretch between Brockwell Park Gardens, High Trees, and Roycroft Close, proposing several key upgrades:
- Enhanced safety measures: Raised continuous footways and a new parallel zebra crossing for pedestrians, cyclists, and wheelchair users.
- Improved accessibility: Widened footways for shared use, tactile paving for visually impaired pedestrians, and better cycle access.
- Public realm enhancements: Green spaces with biodiverse planting, seating, and play features to create a more welcoming environment.
- Improved signage: Clear signposting between Brockwell Park and Streatham Common to guide active travellers.
These improvements aim to bridge existing routes, such as the Brockwell Park to Gipsy Hill cycleway and the Streatham Hill Low Traffic Neighbourhood, while laying the groundwork for Cycleway 48.
Community Engagement
Lambeth Council has prioritised community engagement throughout the project. Informal consultations with residents, businesses, and stakeholders, including TfL and emergency services, began in 2021. Feedback from groups such as Lambeth’s Accessibility Working Group has influenced the design, with tactile paving added to continuous footways to support visually impaired users.
A Commitment to Sustainability
The project aligns with Lambeth’s sustainability goals, incorporating features like biodiverse planting, cycle parking, and improved pedestrian pathways. These enhancements aim to reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, and enrich public spaces. Construction is slated to begin in Spring 2025.
Cllr Rezina Chowdhury, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air, said:
“Upgrading this Healthy Route will enable people to travel with confidence in more active ways. It will provide a low-traffic route that makes travelling to Brockwell Park and the wider area more accessible, while enhancing the public realm to make it easier for people to enjoy their neighbourhoods and contribute to the sustainable transformation of our borough.
“Healthy Routes are crucial as they provide a safe and secure way for people to get around Lambeth by walking, wheeling, or cycling. Active travel has enormous benefits for people’s mental and physical wellbeing.”
