Lambeth’s Kennington Oval Reimagined scheme to go permanent – but it’s still basically an LTN

Lambeth Council is set to make the Kennington Oval Reimagined traffic scheme permanent – the latest in a line of “Healthy Neighbourhoods” quietly rebranded across the borough.

The move follows an 18-month trial that saw a series of road filters, planters, benches and widened pavements installed around Kennington Oval, Bowling Green Street and Clayton Street, in an effort to cut through-traffic and create calmer, safer streets.

The Council claims the project has delivered on its aims – reporting a 34% fall in vehicle traffic, a 41% rise in cycling, and a big jump in the amount of kerbside space now devoted to “sustainable” uses such as greenery, parklets and seating.

It’s all part of Lambeth’s long-term Climate Action Plan, which commits the borough to a 27% traffic reduction and for 85% of trips to be made by walking, cycling or public transport by 2030.

Originally known as the Kennington Oval Healthy Neighbourhood, the scheme was quietly rebadged as Kennington Oval Reimagined.

For all the talk of “placemaking” and “reimagining space”, the basics remain the same: motor vehicles are restricted from cutting through residential streets, bollards and cameras enforce the closures, and the Council’s transport department collects the data.

The Council points to strong results: through-traffic has been “significantly reduced” and safety around St Mark’s Primary and Henry Fawcett School has “substantially improved.”

The experimental phase attracted 121 formal responses during the statutory consultation period. Of these, 42 backed the scheme outright, 10 partly supported it, while 48 objected.

Supporters praised the quieter streets, cleaner air and extra space for children to play. Critics complained about lost parking, longer car journeys, and concerns over access for delivery drivers, the disabled and emergency services.

Council officers reviewed all objections and concluded that “none warrant a public inquiry.” Adjustments have already been made — including extra loading bays, re-sited disabled parking, and plans for a new taxi rank near Clayton Street.

Making the scheme permanent will cost just £14,000, all covered by Transport for London grant funding. Enforcement continues via ANPR cameras, with income from penalty charges ring-fenced for maintenance.

Overall, Lambeth says it has converted nearly 500 metres of kerbside space from parking to sustainable uses, planting 2,000 new shrubs and trees and installing 33 benches.

Independent monitoring found no negative air-quality impacts, and bus journey times remained stable. One street – Clayton Street – saw a 13% traffic increase, which the Council says it will continue to monitor.

Deputy Leader Cllr Rezina Chowdhury, who oversees the borough’s clean air and transport portfolio, said the move supports Lambeth’s ambition to create “neighbourhoods fit for the future.”

Critics may remain unconvinced by the glossy renaming, but the Kennington Oval Reimagined scheme shows that Lambeth is sticking with its LTN-by-any-other-name strategy – shifting space from cars to people, one planter at a time.