Here’s our newsletter for January. If you want it straight to your inbox, then sign up here.

Happy new year and welcome to our first newsletter of 2021. 

This month is all about Better Streets. Late last year we told you about our plans for Better Streets for Southwark. Working with other organisations in Southwark, we have now launched the coalition. In this newsletter we tell you about a new meeting, Better Streets talks, share some low traffic neighbourhood resources, as well as update you on what Southwark Council has been up to, so read on.

Better Streets for Southwark

The website for Better Streets for Southwark is now live. The coalition is calling for 5 asks that will make Southwark’s streets healthier, cleaner and safer so that walking, cycling and scooting are the easy, natural travel choices in Southwark.

The Better Streets asks are:

• Low traffic neighbourhoods for all Southwark Communities
• A joined-up network of safe, direct walking and cycling routes
• School Streets at school run hours
• People-friendly high streets to boost local business
• A community safe from road danger and traffic harm

Better Streets will also be working with local residents to support and campaign for these changes in their local area. We are currently developing resources for this. If you want to support trial schemes in your area or campaign for changes email Hello@BetterStreetsForSouthwark.org.uk.

If your organisation or business would like to endorse the 5 asks, here’s how you can join the coalition.

If you’re on twitter be sure to follow @BtrSts4Swk.

Better Streets Talks

We will be running our general meetings in collaboration with Better Streets for Southwark. We have changed the date so they are now on the fourth Wednesday of every month at 6:30pm. The next meeting is on Wednesday 27 January at 6:30pm. We will be discussing the 5 Better Streets asks and our upcoming campaign work to support the 3 new low traffic neighbourhoods that are being funded by Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity. If you’d like to attend, email us at Southwark@lcc.org.uk.

Southwark Cyclists meetings will now be on the second Wednesday of the month. At these meetings we will be discussing our campaigns, changes to the cycle network in Southwark as well as organisational business from time to time. Contact us if you’d like to attend our next Southwark Cyclists meeting on 10 February.

All about LTNs

We have helped Better Streets for Southwark put together this resource all about low traffic neighbourhoods. It covers the positive changes they bring as well as research into their effectiveness. There is a lot of misinformation being shared so we hope this guide clears things up. We’ll keep it up to date with any new research so if you come across anything that’s missing, please do let us know.

What has Southwark Council been up to?

Since our last newsletter, all 3 schemes (Brunswick Park, North Peckham and East Faraday) from Guys’ and St Thomas Charity have been partially implemented. The modal filters are in but there are still some pedestrian and cycling improvements coming. Southwark has Commonplace maps for these schemes so you can share your thoughts on them. Southwark has also implemented the Great Suffolk Street low traffic neighbourhood. These, and all other Commonplace maps, are on our consultation page. Southwark uses these as part of the consultation process so it’s important to share your support.

Thanks for reading and happy cycling,

Jakub