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Emerging priorities for Old Kent Road

We want to hear what you think will improve the Old Kent Road neighbourhood.

This page is for you, the residents of Old Kent Road, to raise the priorities that you are passionate about in this Neighbourhood. You can discuss each other’s ideas by commenting on other people’s posts and show your support for ideas by liking posts. This page will be reviewed regularly and ideas will be shared with the Neighbourhood Champion for their consideration and could be discussed at a future Neighbourhood meeting.

If you raise specific issues that might be better addressed by one of the teams here at the council then we will direct you to the best team to contact. Examples of ideas could include:

· Improve safety and reduce anti-social behaviour

· Create greener streets and protect open spaces

· Support local businesses and culture

· Improve public realm and community facilities Address housing conditions and affordability

Phases

Phases overview

Phase 1: Emerging Priorities

Emerging Priorities

Emerging Priorities

2 June 2025 23:00 - No end date

As part of our engagement on our Southwark 2030 strategy, residents were asked to select their top priority from one of fourteen options:

Children, young people and families
Climate change
Community safety
Education
Equality and rights
Financial security
Health and wellbeing
Influence over decisions which affect you, your family and your community
Jobs and the local economy
Things to do
Transport
Your home
Your neighbourhood and local community

This chart illustrates how residents in your neighbourhood responded.

Emerging priorities Old Kent Road

You can note your thoughts on this, add your priority and/or ideas for how we might act on this using the "submit your idea" button in the top right of the page

8 ideas

Oli Greenaway1 year ago I am writing to urge Southwark Council to do everything in its power to push forward the Bakerloo Line Extension through the Old Kent Road. This project has been promised for decades, consulted on repeatedly, studied in depth, and has broad support from residents, businesses and stakeholders alike. Yet despite all of this, progress continues to stall.Now is not the time for more waiting or further delays. The land has already been earmarked, the route agreed, and countless studies, business cases and listening exercises have been completed. What is needed now is clear leadership, a firm timetable, and most importantly, shovels in the ground. Everyone recognises that such a project will take many years, possibly decades, to complete. This is precisely why it must begin immediately because every year lost today pushes delivery further into the future and deprives residents and businesses of the benefits that have already been proven time and again.The Old Kent Road and wider Southwark community cannot afford further drift. Local businesses depend on improved transport to thrive, while residents need better connections to access work, education and services. The Bakerloo Line Extension is not just about improved transport capacity, but about unlocking thousands of new homes, creating jobs, and securing the regeneration of one of London’s most important growth corridors. Numerous studies have already shown the economic, social and environmental benefits this project will bring, from reducing congestion and cutting emissions, to stimulating investment and driving inclusive growth.Southwark Council has a duty to stand with residents and businesses in demanding urgent delivery. The cancellation of other local upgrades, such as at Peckham Rye Station, only underlines how vital the Bakerloo Line Extension has become as the number one infrastructure priority for this area.The route through Old Kent Road has been safeguarded since 2021, and consultations stretching back to 2014 have overwhelmingly indicated public support: during the 2019 TfL consultation, 89% of respondents were in favour, with 82% backing extension beyond Lewisham.A recent impact report co-commissioned by Southwark Council reveals the scale of the opportunity: Unlocking more than 20,400 homes, including 10,500 in the Old Kent Road area Creating nearly 10,000 jobs and delivering a £1.5 billion boost to the UK economy annually Improved connectivity: travel time from Old Kent Road to Oxford Circus could be slashed from 38 to just 13 minutes—nearly a two-thirds reduction These findings are backed by TfL and Central London Forward, which label the project “shovel-ready” and essential for national and regional growth Transport resilience is failing: the Bakerloo Line's trains are now over 16 years beyond their planned lifespan, causing maintenance issues and lost customer hours—over 370% more in cancellations over the last decade. Delays now translate into years lost before anything concrete happens; construction will take many years even once started—potentially not until 2040 Southwark Council has already allocated £2.4 million in CIL funding to safeguard the land and fund a local study: actions showing intent, not inertia. This project is not a theoretical improvement—it’s a thorough infrastructure pipeline for jobs, homes, growth, and inclusivity, proven through exhaustive analysis. Examples show that once rolling, the Bakerloo Line will: Create 25,000+ new homes across Southwark and Lewisham, including 10,500 in Old Kent Road. Support 150,000 additional public transport trips daily, cutting 20,800 car trips and reducing emissions. Accelerate progression toward Net Zero while boosting commercial floorspace by nearly 200,000 m². Businesses are on side too: 89% support among businesses along the route and 76% resident approval, with 63% believing it will help their company growI therefore urge the Council to: Publicly reaffirm its full commitment to the Bakerloo Line Extension as its top transport priority. Work closely with Transport for London, the Greater London Authority and central government to secure the necessary funding and political backing. Press for an immediate, publicly available timetable setting out the next concrete steps and a start date for construction. Ensure that residents and businesses are kept fully updated on progress and are not left in the dark after years of waiting. The time for reviews, consultations and promises has long since passed. The community needs urgent delivery, and every additional delay damages trust, holds back opportunity and undermines confidence. We cannot wait any longer.

Oli Greenaway1 year ago Main Points: Active Travel Infrastructure Improved Streetscape & Wayfinding Local Functionality Upgrades (like seating, lighting, crossings) Request:Transform Old Kent Road into a coherent, walkable boulevard that prioritises pedestrians, cyclists, and local life, not just vehicles.What to ask for: Fully segregated cycle lanes on both sides, as part of the Cycleway C62 route, with proper protection from buses and lorries. Mid-block pedestrian crossings every 150–200 metres or so, particularly near shops, schools, bus stops, and side streets. Street-wide design coherence: upgrade footways with uniform high-quality paving, consistent and modern lighting, and level access at key thresholds. Public seating zones along retail clusters, bus stops, and by schools, incorporating weather shelters and bins. Legible London-style signage and wayfinding linking Old Kent Road to surrounding neighbourhoods, including Queens Road Peckham, Burgess Park, Bricklayers Arms, and New Cross Gate. Enhanced junction designs (e.g. Bricklayers Arms, Dunton Road) to rebalance car dominance and better serve walkers, cyclists, and bus passengers. Impact:Creates a sense of place and safety. Reduces car dependence and promotes walking and cycling. Makes the street more accessible for children, the elderly, and disabled residents. Visually ties the road together and invites people to linger rather than just pass through.

Shakirat Bello11 months ago

Shakirat Bello11 months ago

Oli Greenaway1 year ago Main Points: Greening & Public Realm Heritage & Local Identity Public Art, Youth Space, and Cultural Use Sustainability & Green Credentials Request:Reimagine Old Kent Road’s identity through local heritage, accessible green space, and sustainable urban design.What to ask for: Continuous street tree planting with native species, prioritising heat islands and commercial zones with low canopy cover. Mini pocket parks and greening strips on underused pavements, corners, or lay-bys, including planting beds, benches, and public art. Restoration and heritage recognition of key buildings like the Lord Nelson pub, former civic sites, and old signage or ghost signs, with heritage plaques and locally co-designed info boards. The history of this area goes back to Roman times and Old Kent Road is home to many excellent Victorian and Art Deco buildings, these should be restored and celebrated. Expand the public art strategy, like the successful Home from Home mural, encourage schools, youth groups, and artists from the area to co-create rotating works along the corridor. New multi-use community hub spaces, especially for young people, consider reactivating derelict or underutilised commercial units as temporary or permanent facilities. Push for green design standards in new developments, with rooftop solar, green roofs, permeable paving, energy-efficient heating (heat pumps or district heating), and commitments to net-zero emissions. Strengthen identity as a cultural corridor: support a "Cultural Mile" concept featuring music venues, food markets, galleries or studios celebrating Old Kent Road’s diverse communities. Impact:Improves air quality, reduces noise, and provides social and cultural infrastructure the community can actually use. Revives pride in local heritage. Ensures Old Kent Road doesn’t become just a corridor of glass towers but retains a distinctive character rooted in the people who live there.

Daniel Quinn11 months ago This junction can be really intimidating, currently it is a large junction with significant lorry and industrial traffic passing through. Coming north up Ilderton Road you are able to turn right onto the Surrey Canal Road cycle lane (a borough of lewisham scheme) which is super safe for cycling but to do so can be quite challenging.Southwark Council and TFL are building a fantastic cycle friendly crossing between Ilderton Road and Old Kent Road and it would be nice if this could be extended here with bike boxes and signals that let cyclists cross first (and get out of the way of other drivers). Currently there have been many close misses and recently a serious collision took place which closed Ilderton Road for a few hours. With many new homes being built people would love to feel more confident to cycle and access many of the amazing facilities in Southwark.

O I1 year ago We urgently require additional parking facilities along Varcoe Road, as the current availability has become increasingly limited due to double yellow lines and bicycles occupying designated spaces. It is disappointing that new developments are proceeding without adequate consideration for parking needs. Additionally, improved access to local GP and educational institutions / primary schools and the like, is essential to support the growing population resulting from recent housing developments.

Oli Greenaway1 year ago I write to request a major shift in priorities regarding the external appearance of buildings along the Old Kent Road, which are in urgent need of coordinated attention. The current state of facades, marred by dirt, deterioration, fly-postering, and pervasive graffiti is contributing to a negative perception that undermines local pride, safety, and economic vitality.Current Condition and Public FeedbackNumerous reports highlight persistent issues along Old Kent Road, notably tagging, fly-postering, and litter on both public signage and private property facades. For example, multiple open reports remain unresolved, citing locations such as railway bridges, pillar fronts, cable boxes, and walls on Old Kent Road covered in graffiti and fly-postering (Love Clean Streets, Reddit, Wikipedia, Love Clean Streets). Local residents frequently report private gable walls and shop entrances covered in unsightly tagging (cleanerlewisham.lovecleanstreets.com).These conditions reinforce the so-called “broken windows” effect: when small signs of disorder go unchecked, it creates a message that no one is watching and can escalate antisocial behaviour.Regulatory Non‑Compliance and Safety RisksBuildings along the high street show visible signs of neglect, including dirty surfaces, damaged fixtures, and aging shopfronts that detract from the street and may pose health or structural risks. While full structural assessments may be needed, the evident neglect suggests non‑compliance with expected standards for routine maintenance.Graffiti ImpactGraffiti is not merely cosmetic: it devalues properties, deters customers, and attracts further vandalism. Spray paints can permanently damage building surfaces and create hazards for improper removal (icecleaning.co.uk). Historic England warns that graffiti on historic or listed properties is illegal criminal damage and may require specialist removal techniques and consent (historicengland.org.uk).Proposed Council‑Led Intervention1. Coordinated Clean-Up and Graffiti RemovalImplement daily power-washing and expert graffiti removal on key high street sections of Old Kent Road. This should address not just ground level but extend to the tops of facades, signage, overpasses, and pillars. Too often only ground level graffiti is removed and anything higher is allowed to stay. This policy has to change.2. Facade Improvement Grants & IncentivesOffer targeted support to property owners, especially of aging Victorian and mid-century commercial/residential buildings to repaint, repair masonry, upgrade shopfronts and clean external elements.3. Ongoing Maintenance StrategyDevelop a long-term maintenance partnership with property owners and tenants that includes regular inspections and cleaning schedules, as well as swift remediation of tagging or fly-postering.Community and Economic BenefitsRevitalizing Old Kent Road façades would: Elevate the area’s visual identity and sense of civic pride. Improve visitor and shopper confidence, boosting footfall for local businesses. Create a ripple effect of maintenance underdrawing higher standards across the neighbourhood. Call to ActionI urge the Council to include this proposal in its Emerging Priorities list, by initiating: A visual survey and audit of affected properties. Consultations with residents, businesses, and landlords to assess needs and gather feedback. Planning of a pilot clean-up and facade grant scheme in collaboration with local partners. By taking action now, the Council can help reverse the “broken windows” effect and make Old Kent Road a cleaner, safer, and more attractive street, well aligned with the broader growth ambitions outlined in the Old Kent Road Area Action Plan (Southwark Council).

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