Lewisham Council Considers Healthy Neighbourhoods Programme

September 2, 2026

South London News On Your Doorstep Desk Edited By Jimmy Nsubuga

Lewisham Mayor and Cabinet are set to consider the next phase of the Healthy Neighbourhoods programme on 9 September, which could lead to borough-wide discussions on making local streets safer, healthier, and greener. If approved, the council will begin engaging with communities to shape improvements aimed at reducing traffic, enhancing road safety, promoting walking and cycling, and tackling air pollution.

Aims of the Healthy Neighbourhoods Programme

The programme aims to create streets where walking, cycling, and public transport are the preferred choices for everyday journeys. This aligns with Lewisham's ambition to increase the proportion of journeys made by these sustainable modes from the current 68% to 81% by 2041. The initiative also seeks to reduce congestion for those who rely on cars for essential travel, including people with disabilities, carers, tradespeople, and local businesses, while maintaining accessibility for Blue Badge holders. Councillor Corin Ashwell, Cabinet Member for Environment, Nature, Transport and Climate Action, stated that the programme is crucial for addressing climate change, poor air quality, and road danger, and that it will improve the quality of life for local residents.

Context and Wider Goals

The need for such a programme is underscored by the increasing impacts of climate change, such as more frequent heatwaves and pressure on local infrastructure, which affect health and wellbeing. Creating greener streets with more trees and rain gardens can help mitigate these effects. The Healthy Neighbourhoods programme supports Lewisham's broader objectives of reducing carbon emissions, improving public health, and fostering cleaner, greener neighbourhoods. Historically, Lewisham has received funding for similar initiatives, including £2.9 million from the Mayor of London's Liveable Neighbourhood fund for work in North Deptford in 2018.

Current Travel Habits and Future Ambitions

Currently, approximately 68% of journeys in Lewisham are made by walking, cycling, or public transport. This figure is lower than the London average, where in 2017, 37% of journeys were made by public transport, 36% by private services, 24% by walking, and 2% by cycling. Nationally, in 2023, walking accounted for 29% of trips in England, while cycling accounted for 2%. The programme's ambition to reach 81% by 2041 aims to make sustainable travel more attractive and accessible.

Author

South London News On Your Doorstep Desk Edited By Jimmy Nsubuga

From Town Hall decisions to resident-led reports, the South London News On Your Doorstep Desk offers comprehensive coverage of the issues that matter to your street. Our editorial staff provide critical updates on local planning, council services, and neighbourhood initiatives, ensuring our readers never miss a change to their local area.

Every report is produced under the rigorous oversight of a leadership team with decades of experience at Yahoo UK, Metro, and the Daily Mail. By bridging the gap between local grievances and council accountability, our desk upholds the highest standards of journalistic integrity to provide an accurate, human-led perspective on the stories driving South East London today.