Southwark Council’s plans to impose a borough-wide CPZ were hugely controversial when they emerged last summer.
The Labour-run authority has now rolled back on its proposals, saying this shows its “willingness to listen” to residents.
Although a CPZ blanketing the entire borough has been abandoned, Southwark still has roughly 50 per cent CPZ coverage.
Southwark Council scraps plans for CPZ covering the entire the borough
Southwark Council also insists that CPZs are a useful tool to reach its climate goals and will consult on zones in Nunhead, Queen’s Road and Dulwich Village.
Nonetheless, the change of tack has also proven divisive. The News spoke to local groups to get their views.
Southwark Council says borough-wide CPZ plans were ‘within the law’
Corin Burr – Spokesperson for ‘Oppose the CPZ’
Oppose the CPZ spokesperson Corin Burr, whose group had started mounting a legal challenge, said: “It’s a great victory and finally the council have realised that they were pushing forward with what was a very unfair and badly consulted process.”
He added: “I believe the threat of the legal challenge was probably the deciding factor that switched the council’s decision. Without that, I believe they would have just pressed forward.”
Addressing the council’s plans to spend £4.4 million on 48 new traffic wardens and parking cameras, he said it “sounds like an irresponsible use of taxpayers’ money given that it isn’t likely to be as large a CPZ scheme as first envisioned”.
Simon Saville – Coordinator for Southwark Cyclists
Southwark Cyclists Coordinator Simon Saville, whose group encourages local authorities to prioritise sustainable transport methods, said: “Overall, [we’re] disappointed.”
He added: “If the council is to meet its ambitious climate action plans of net zero by 2030 it’s going to have to help people shift towards sustainable travel in an active way and controlled parking is a way of encouraging that to happen.”
However, he also said: “Broadly, the council is doing what it can, with the funds available, to encourage active travel and we encourage that as much as we can.”
Claire McDonald – Mums for Lungs
Mums for Lungs is a volunteer group founded in Brixton that aims to reduce air pollution to prevent negative health impacts on children.
Group member and Schools Lead Claire McDonald said: “We’re very disappointed in Southwark’s decision to pull back from a borough-wide CPZ.
“We know that every car journey begins and ends with a parking space, and if they are harder to access, traffic reduces. This improves the air for everyone, but particularly children, who are more affected by air pollution, because they breathe more deeply and frequently than adults, and are closer to the emissions.”
Cllr Graham Neale – Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesperson
Cllr Graham Neale, Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesperson, said: “The Southwark Liberal Democrats have always said that meaningful change requires listening to people and working with them.
“Labour ignored residents’ concerns about CPZs and, once again, they have been forced into an embarrassing U-turn.
“This could have been avoided with honest consultation and proper scrutiny. Now all we’re left with is yet more delays to the kind of action needed to tackle the climate emergency here in Southwark.
“Labour must learn from this experience, and work with communities to make Southwark more sustainable.”
Christine Wallace – Conservative Greater London Authority (GLA) candidate for Lambeth and Southwark
Christine Wallace, Conservative Greater London Authority (GLA) candidate for Lambeth and Southwark, said: “I’m relieved these plans were withdrawn after the efforts of residents and local Conservative activists.
“This is just one of many examples of Labour councillors in Southwark taking residents for granted and ignoring what is clear and obvious feedback from the community. We need Conservatives in Southwark council to hold them to account.”