Greenwich Council has scrapped the Shooters Hill and Plumstead sections of its controversial new parking proposals. The council’s Sustainable Streets scheme hopes to bring in more controlled parking measures such as permit zones and paid parking areas across the borough.
The scheme also hopes to introduce more car club bays, EV charging points, secure cycle parking and street trees on Greenwich roads. The council hopes that these measures will “prioritise parking for residents and businesses”. Some residents have welcomed the proposal, while others have labelled it a cash grab.
Greenwich Council announced on August 11 that it would not be carrying on with its Sustainable Streets consultations in Shooters Hill and Plumstead. The consultation for the other four areas—Charlton, Kidbrooke and Blackheath, Thamesmead West, and Woolwich—is still out, with residents in these areas having until midnight on Tuesday, September 30 to give feedback before the proposal moves onto its formal consultation phase.
To find out what’s happening in those four areas, read below.
Charlton
According to surveys carried out by Greenwich Council in Charlton, residents and businesses said that parking congestion and road safety issues were widespread and occurred on a daily basis.
The council was also told that Charlton residents would like to cycle but don’t due to concerns over safety, limited infrastructure, and lack of secure storage. Charlton is also interested in embracing EVs, but affordability, charging access, and range limitations continue to hold many back from making the switch.
Charlon has been split into three neighbourhoods as part of the council’s Sustainable Streets vision: Charlton Riverside, Charlton Station and Charlton Hornfair. Charlton Riverside stretches from the Thames Barrier to Charlton Park and includes Charlon Athletic FC’s home The Valley.
Several free parking spaces in roads surrounding the football ground will become paid parking zones, likely affecting fans who park near The Valley on matchdays. Charlton Station is a fairly small area which encompasses the residential roads surrounding the railway station.
Permit zones for Troughton Road and Delafield Road remain. Some pay by phone bays are being introduced around the station and in streets such as Rathmore Road.
Charlton Hornfair takes into account the south west of the town and parts of Blackheath. Paid parking zones will replace free parking spaces throughout residential streets in the area, particularly around Sherington Primary School, Our Lady of Grace Catholic Primary School and Charlton Park.
Several trees, EV charging points and disabled parking bays will also be introduced as part of the scheme. Do you live in Charlton? What do you think of the proposals? Email your thoughts to [email protected]
Kidbrooke and Blackheath
Those living in Kidbrooke and Blackheath told the council that 85 per cent of them had access to one or more vehicles. This contributes to ongoing parking challenges linked to high local demand, school traffic, and new developments.
Like those in Charlton, motorists are interested in EVs, but charging access and affordability is holding them back. They would like to cycle but don’t due to concerns over safety, limited infrastructure, and lack of secure storage.
Kidbrooke has been split into two areas, Kidbrooke Park and Kidbrooke Village. Kidbrooke Park starts from Shooters Hill Road to the north down to Rochester Way to the south and with the A2 to the west and Well Hall Road to the east.
Several paid parking bays will be introduced around the London Marathon Playing Field as well as around the playing field off Begbie Road. Throughout the entire Kidbrooke Park area, permit parking zones will be introduced across the residential streets.
Kidbrooke Park Road runs straight through the Kidbrooke Village neighbourhood. Paid parking bays would be introduced around the Weigall Road Sports Ground as well as all along Weigall Road.
Blackheath stretches from the Sun in the Sands Roundabout southwest to the corner of Manor Way and Lee Road. Most of the streets in this area will remain unchanged, with a few paid parking spaces replacing some permit zones.
Do you live in Kidbrooke and Blackheath? What do you think of the proposals? Email your thoughts to [email protected]
Thamesmead West
Thamesmead West residents told the council that vehicles parked on the street outside homes in their area leads to widespread parking stress, traffic safety concerns and obstructive driving behaviours.
Not many people cycle due to infrastructure gaps, poor storage options and safety fears. Many residents said they would ride more with improved conditions on the roads for cyclists.
Thamesmead residents are also interested in EVs but encounter the same charging and affordability issues. Survey respondents also called for greener streets, tree planting, and better drainage.
Thamesmead West encompasses Gallions Reach Park to the northeast down to Nathan Way to the south and east. Greenwich Council wants to plant more trees along the Western Way.
It also wants to introduce permit parking and paid parking into some residential streets around Gallions Reach Park. Paid parking bays will be put into place on Whinchat Road, Goosander Way and Pier Way.
Do you live in Thamesmead West? What do you think of the proposals? Email your thoughts to [email protected]
Woolwich
In Woolwich, Greenwich Council found that residents wanted more action on dog mess, litter, and fly-tipping, particularly along key walking routes like Frances Street and Artillery Place where it can make it difficult for pedestrians to move around safely.
They also wanted stricter enforcement and road adoption and showed concern about the impact of new developments. Cleanliness, accessibility, and reliable transport emerge as pressing priorities for Woolwich residents who wanted healthier, more walkable neighbourhoods.
Woolwich, like Charlton, has also been split into three neighbourhoods as part of the Sustainable Streets programme, these being Woolwich Dockyard, Woolwich Arsenal and Woolwich Common.
Woolwich Dockyard stretches from the McDonald’s roundabout on the A206 to the Woolwich Ferry roundabout and goes down to Hillreach.
Several permit parking areas throughout the residential streets in this area of Woolwich are being either proposed or maintained. Roads such as Woodhill, Ogilby Street and Maryon Road will have permit parking introduced where the roads have not had any parking restrictions before.
Woolwich Arsenal starts from the east side of the Woolwich Ferry roundabout and ends just before Villas Road.
The council is proposing to plant several trees along Vincent Road as well as in other parts of this neighbourhood. Many of the paid parking spaces in close proximity to Woolwich town centre will remain under the Sustainable Streets proposal.
Woolwich Common covers the common as well as a residential area northeast of it. Much of the permit parking in these streets, such as Frederick Place and Sandy Hill Road, will remain in situ.
However, paid parking areas are also being introduced, replacing free spots on roads such as Cambridge Row and Congleton Grove.
Do you live in Woolwich? What do you think of the proposals? Email your thoughts to [email protected]
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