Greenwich Sustainable Streets Consultation Extended Following Community Feedback

Royal Borough responds to consultation concerns as local organisations voice strong reactions

The Royal Borough of Greenwich has announced significant changes to its Sustainable Streets consultation process, following an outpouring of community concern regarding transparency, timing, and the inclusion of Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) in proposed designs.

The programme, which aims to make neighbourhoods across Charlton, Kidbrooke and Blackheath, Plumstead, Shooters Hill, Thamesmead West and Woolwich healthier, safer and more sustainable, launched its second round of informal consultation on 14 July.

Councillor Averil Lekau, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Sustainability and Transport, admitted the process had not landed as intended:

“We know there have been strong feelings about some of the design proposals, particularly around controlled parking and the consultation’s timing. That’s why we’re simplifying the content, improving accessibility, and extending the consultation period to give every resident a fair chance to have their say.”

Improvements to the Consultation

In response to feedback, the Council is taking the following steps:

• Extending the consultation deadline to Tuesday, 30 September 2025

• Clarifying maps and materials, with simplified legends and a new instructional video

• Hosting in-person drop-in sessions at Woolwich Town Hall with prior registration

• Planning a second round of community events in late September for further engagement

These updates are designed to address concerns from residents who reported difficulties in understanding consultation documents and frustrations over the process occurring during the school summer holidays.

Community Reaction: Shooters Hill in Focus

Among the strongest responses came from Shrewsbury House Community Association (SHCA), a longstanding community hub in Shooters Hill. In a formal statement, the SHCA Board of Trustees expressed serious reservations about both the content of the proposals — particularly the CPZ — and the process by which they were developed.

“We fully support properly considered, community-focused efforts to green our environment,” said Sally McDougal, Chair of Trustees. “But we believe the current Sustainable Streets proposals could pose an existential threat to some of our user groups and even the viability of Shrewsbury House itself.”

The SHCA cited a lack of prior consultation, despite their status as a major local service provider operating under a service-level agreement with the Council. They also raised concerns over accessibility and equity for users with protected characteristics.

The organisation is requesting the Equality Impact Assessment that should have been prepared during policy development and is calling on the Council to explain how Shrewsbury House's circumstances were factored into the proposals.

The SHCA also highlighted the unique challenges of Shooters Hill's geography and limited public transport, warning that a CPZ could significantly deter attendance from volunteers, event attendees, and vulnerable visitors.

The Board plans to finalise its formal response after its 12 August meeting, and has urged its members and users to respond individually to the consultation via sustainable-streets-rbg.commonplace.is.

A Divided Debate

While some residents have welcomed the Council's renewed commitment to cleaner, safer streets, others remain sceptical of the process.

Samantha George, a parent from Charlton, said: "I'm in favour of more cycle lanes and safer crossings, but the CPZ feels like a money-making move, not a green one."

Conversely, Shooters Hill resident and commuter Simon Adeyemi supported the scheme: "I'd rather have fewer cars and cleaner air — I hope people give it a proper look before rejecting it outright."

Consultation Events

The updated programme includes both in-person sessions at Woolwich Town Hall and online webinars, scheduled as follows:

In-person events (6:00–7:30 pm):

• 11 August – Woolwich

• 12 August – Charlton

• 13 August – Kidbrooke & Blackheath

• 19 August – Thamesmead West

• 20 August – Shooters Hill

• 21 August – Plumstead

Online webinars (MS Teams):

• 7 August

• 29 September

Final Word from the Council

Cllr Lekau reiterated that the consultation remains open and meaningful:

“This is not a done deal. Your feedback will directly shape the final proposals, and there will be another formal consultation round before anything is implemented.”

For more information and to take part in the consultation, visit:
👉 www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/sustainablestreets

Shrewsbury House users wishing to raise concerns about the proposed CPZ can email:
📩 CPZ@shrewsburyhouse.org

All Residents are also encouraged to contact their local representatives:

With public pressure mounting and consultations extended, the next few weeks will be pivotal in shaping Greenwich's sustainable future — one street at a time