Part of Blackheath Village could be pedestrianised by Lewisham Council

Montpelier Vale via Google Streetview
Much of Montpelier Vale is currently used for car parking

A small part of Blackheath Village could be pedestrianised under plans being drawn up by Lewisham Council.

Montpelier Vale, which faces the heath, could be closed to traffic as part of a wider package of proposals to improve walking and cycling in the borough.

The proposals are mentioned in an agenda document for councillors to discuss next week.

The paper says that officers are working on “improvements to Montpelier Vale, a street with shops which currently provides part of a one-way gyratory in the Blackheath conservation area and near [Greenwich] world heritage site, which will benefit from pedestrianisation”.

Much of the street is currently used for car parking rather than as a through route.

The proposals are heavily reliant on funding from Transport for London, whose financial position remains uncertain.

Greenwich Council, which covers part of Blackheath Village, may also have its own views on the proposals. The two councils sharply disagreed when Lewisham tried to close nearby South Row to through traffic during the first lockdown.

Over the years Lewisham has stopped up streets that criss-crossed its side of heath and turned them into foot and cycle paths – most recently closing Long Pond Road and part of Duke Humphrey Road, which used to be used by drivers to avoid the village, at the turn of the century.

The borough’s other plans include pedestrianising the southern end of Deptford High Street – which already hosts a regular market – and schemes to reduce the number of collisions on Baring Road in Lee and Downham Way.

Detailed plans for a segregated cycle lane on Deptford Church Street are also being drawn up, while Lewisham will also work more closely with dockless cycle hire providers.

Lewisham’s sustainable development select committee will discuss the plans on Monday.


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