‘Significant delays’ expected while Streatham Hill travel is transformed

Transport for London (TfL) today (16 July) warned of lane closures on the A23 through Streatham from 4 August until autumn as work begins on the first phase of a major scheme to transform travel, walking and cycling in the area.

New pedestrian crossings, a protected cycling route and improved bus lanes for quicker bus journeys are promised.

Buses will usually continue on their normal routes.

TfL said 70 per cent of respondents to its consultation on the plans had stated that the changes would make it easier or safer to walk in the area

It said the works have been planned to minimise disruption as much as possible and developed in close partnership with Lambeth council.

From Monday 4 August lane restrictions will operate in both directions on the A23 between the junction with Holmewood Road on Brixton Hill and the junction with Sternhold Avenue on Streatham Hill.

“Significant delays” are expected. The A23 will be closed between the South Circular (A205, Christchurch Road) and Sternhold Avenue between 10pm and 5am on Sunday 3 and Monday 4 August.

Buses on the A23 will usually operate on their normal routes but may be diverted during occasional overnight closures. If further overnight closures are planned, TfL says it will communicate details nearer the time.

Some bus stops may be relocated or suspended – information will be available at affected stops.

This first phase of work, which is due to continue until autumn, will see the removal of the road’s central reservation, with further phases of the scheme set to continue until spring 2027. Full travel advice is available at tfl.gov.uk/streatham-hill-works.

TfL said that, currently, roads in the area do not make it easy or attractive to walk or catch the bus. “The scheme will make it easier to cross busy roads, offer protected space for people to cycle and provide continuous bus lanes with fewer obstructions,” it went on.

It said the latest analysis of “collisions” in the area shows that 72 took place in the 36-month period to 31 October 2024, resulting in injuries to 75 people.

TfL said that in the consultation on its plans, 70% of respondents stated that the changes would make it easier or safer to walk and 83% said the same for cycling.

TfL said it would continue to monitor roads during the works and “implement signal strategies” to manage congestion and assist the bus network and work closely with Lambeth council to address any impacts on local side roads and the surrounding road network.

Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, said the new scheme would better connect communities to transport hubs, schools, green space and each other.

Lambeth council deputy leader and cabinet member for sustainable Lambeth and clean air Rezina Chowdhury said they would improve the public realm and travel through the area, especially for people walking, cycling or relying on buses.

Lambeth council suspended a trial of the Streatham Wells low traffic neighbourhood in March last year after weeks of gridlock on Streatham Hill and High Road trapped buses and doubled or tripled their journey times.

It put partial blame on roadworks, but also said it would work with TfL to implement “a comprehensive package of bus priority measures along the length of the A23 to separate buses from general traffic and help prevent bus delays in future”.