Strategic Objectives:

A An open Lewisham as part of an open London,

E Responding to the climate emergency,

G Healthy and safe communities,

H Securing the timely delivery of infrastructure.

A The Healthy Streets Approach will be promoted and implemented in Lewisham in order to support the delivery of inclusive, healthy, safe, liveable, walkable and sustainable neighbourhoods. Priority will be given to approaches and measures that encourage and enable movement by walking, cycling and public transport, so they become people’s preferred choice of travel in Lewisham.

B Development proposals must demonstrate how they have applied the London Plan Healthy Streets Approach and Indicators through the design-led approach. All major development proposals must submit a Healthy Streets Assessment as part of the Transport Assessment. Proposals will be supported where they have engaged positively with the Healthy Streets Approach to deliver public realm and other improvements that support walking, cycling and the use of public transport. Cycle infrastructure must be designed in accordance with the London Cycling Design Standards.

C The Healthy Streets Approach will have particular importance within town centres, along and around Growth Corridors and other key movement corridors that link Lewisham’s neighbourhoods and town centres with each other and those outside of the Borough. This includes corridors located in areas with lower Public Transport Access Levels and areas experiencing higher levels of deprivation. Development proposals must have regard to relevant guidance that supports corridor improvements, including the Council’s A21 Development Framework.

D Development proposals must safeguard and contribute to maintaining and enhancing the Borough’s network of walking routes and cycleways, including the Thames Path, South-East London Green Chain, Waterlink Way and other components of the Lewisham Links. Opportunities to enhance connections between existing and proposed future routes should be investigated and implemented wherever appropriate and feasible, including the expansion of cycle hire along these routes. Development proposals that adversely impact on the safety, quality and convenience of the Borough’s network of walking routes and cycleways, and associated infrastructure (including dedicated cycle parking provision), will be refused unless appropriate mitigation measures are provided.

E High quality public realm is integral to the delivery of the Healthy Streets Approach. In line with Policy QD 3 (Public realm and connecting places) development proposals must be designed to maximise the contribution that public realm makes to encourage and enable active modes of travel. This includes measures to reduce vehicle dominance and enhance access, permeability and connectivity to and within sites by maintaining or integrating safe and legible routes for walking and cycling along with removing barriers to movement, such as gates, guardrails and stepped kerbs.

F To support the Healthy Streets Approach development proposals should provide end-of-trip facilities for cyclists that are easy to access and designed in accordance with the London Cycling Design Standards. These facilities should be provided at a level that is commensurate with the nature and scale of development and the required level of cycle parking, in line with the parking standards of Policy TR4 (Parking).

G To help facilitate liveable and sustainable neighbourhoods in Lewisham, the Council will work with stakeholders and local communities to investigate the feasibility of, and implement where appropriate, traffic management and other measures to improve the quality and amenity of residential areas. This may include interventions to reduce, re-route or calm vehicular traffic (particularly around schools and other community facilities) and/or lower speed limits in localities, as well as to enhance the quality and safety of the walking and cycle environment.

H Development proposals must be designed to ensure that the public realm is not adversely impacted by installations, including advertising columns, and seek opportunities to remove redundant installations wherever possible.

I To help facilitate modal shift the Council will work positively with its partners and stakeholders to raise awareness of active travel and to enhance opportunities for the public to access related training and funding.

For more information and policy context please see the Lewisham Local Plan