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This month we tell you about a few consultations that need your support to improve cycling in Southwark, an opportunity to become a Climate Champion and work closely with our group, and about upcoming Better Streets Talks.

Improving our Streets in Southwark

Southwark Council and TfL have a number of ongoing consultations. It’s very important you respond to show your support for these schemes. It’s best to strongly support schemes, even if they only provide mild improvements, and state what else is needed to make them appropriate for people of all ages and all abilities.

• Walworth Low Traffic Neighbourhood – Southwark’s second Streetspace LTN review has launched. Preliminary monitoring data shows cycling is up 33% and motor vehicle traffic is down 15% within the area. We’ll have our analysis on the scheme later this month, but these changes have transformed Walworth. If you live or travel through the area be sure to respond by 6 September.
• Cycle Superhighway 7 – Southwark is consulting on the upgrades to CS7 north of the Elephant to Southwark Bridge. While we think these changes are an improvement, more kerb protection is needed (which will require removing some parking), sections need to be widened, and no entries at Great Suffolk Street, Sawyer Street and Lant Street need to be reinstated. Additionally a permanent scheme with junction treatments needs to be implemented ASAP. Respond to the consultation by 17 August.
• Tooley Street – TfL is consulting on the trial changes on Tooley Street. Similar to CS7, we don’t think this scheme goes far enough. It needs more protection as there are still large sections of unprotected cycle lane. Respond by 17 November.
• Life After Covid – If you just love filling out surveys, Southwark has one about life after Covid. It gives you the opportunity to tell Southwark you want more safe space for cycling. Respond by 15 August.

Become a Climate Champion

LCC has launched the recruitment of volunteers to support local groups in delivering our Climate Safe Streets ambitions over the next 12 months – peaking at the Local Elections in May. It will be a great opportunity for anyone keen to impact positive change in their local communities and beyond, working collectively to transform our city into a healthier, greener and happier place to live, where anyone who wants to cycle can do so safely and enjoyably. You can apply for the role here.

Expanding Santander Cycles in Southwark

Southwark has few Santander hire bikes, and they’re limited to the north of the borough. This month’s Better Streets Talk will be with Liz Harwood of Santander Bikes for Herne Hill. This talk will cover some interesting nuggets about the scheme, why there is a Santander bike with Liz’s name on it, and her tactics so far in trying to get an expansion of the scheme to Herne Hill. It is next Wednesday 28 July at 7:30pm on Zoom. You can register here.

Better Streets for Southwark also have exciting talks planned for August with Choked Up and September with Better Bankside. You can register for future talks here.

Thanks for reading and if you’d like to join our monthly Southwark Cyclists meetings on the second Wednesday of each month, email us at Southwark@lcc.org.uk.

Happy cycling,

Jakub