Residents have expressed concern about the council’s plans to close off part of a major road in Peckham to traffic.
Southwark Council wants to close the road on the eastern side of Peckham Rye Park to cars, with only buses and cyclists allowed through.
It will mean cars are forced onto the western portion of the road on the other side of the park, which residents have warned will create a bottleneck.
The southbound bus shelter on Peckham Rye West would be moved further north to a narrower section of the road, which residents warned could make traffic worse by leaving less space for cars and cyclists to get past.
There are also fears the changes could pose a safety hazard by potentially leading to a build-up of traffic at the junction of East Dulwich Road and Peckham Rye West, near the Harris Academy secondary school and a nursery.
The council said the changes to the road layout were designed to make it safer, improve the reliability of buses and upgrade walking and cycling routes.
Liz Brough, Chair of the Friends of Peckham Rye Park, said: “The Friends of Peckham Rye Park have severe issues with the closure of through traffic along the north eastern side of the Common apart from buses, resulting in all traffic being forced onto the junction of Peckham Rye West and East Dulwich Road.
“The busy junction is already congested and a danger to vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. It is of concern that during events on the Common the footfall of traffic and pedestrians will increase, resulting in further danger and risk of accidents. It is not necessary to close the north eastern side of the Common – there is plenty of space for vehicles and cyclists.
“The relocation of bus stops along Peckham Rye West and Nigel Road will cause further congestion, danger and pollution to residents living near the northern end of the Common.”
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Iain Johncock, a local resident near East Dulwich Road, said, “Southwark Council’s £3.4m windfall from traffic cameras in Dulwich Village last year, as reported by Southwark News, should alert local residents to its intention at Peckham Rye East.
“The closure of the road should not go ahead – forcing all the traffic to the west side will not only slow bus services but also increase the risk of accidents for cyclists. The Council needs to think again.“
Southwark Council was contacted for comment.
