Charges in Choumert Road car park will be reduced by Southwark Council until Rye Lane is re-opened to traffic next year after gas mains works are completed.
Cllr Kieron Williams, the council’s cabinet member for jobs, skills and innovation, confirmed the news on Tuesday this week, after lobbying from businesses in Peckham.
Last week, as the News reported, Southwark Council and SGN announced £30,000 of funding had also been earmarked for a series of events to help boost footfall for businesses in the area.
Cllr Williams also said the council had asked the Valuation Office Agency to lower business rates to help traders through the next ten months.
“Having visited traders along Rye Lane I‘ve heard how much this is affecting them,” he explained. “It’s a mixed picture but there’s no doubt many have seen a drop in footfall.
“Having listened to their concerns we are putting in place a package of support.
“We’ve announced funding for events and creative ideas to bring more people to the high streets.
“We are appointing a business advisor to support affected traders. We have asked the Valuation Office Agency for a business rate reduction for the area, and I’m pleased to announce we will be reducing parking charges in the Choumert Road car park for the duration of the works.
“Rye Lane is full of fantastic independent businesses, and we are determined to support them through these works and beyond.”
Gas company SGN now says it has completed the second stage of its major mains upgrade in Rye Lane expected to last until January 2020.
Old mains pipes between Highshore Road and Elm Grove have been replaced, and on Monday the next section between Elm Grove and Blenheim Grove began.
A signed diversion is now in place via Hanover Park and Consort Road. Although this section is closed to traffic, Rye Lane remains open to people in foot.
The company has also confirmed traders will be able to make quarterly compensation claims, rather than having to wait until the works are completed.