Lambeth unveils new designs for Kennington Oval Healthy Neighborhood

Lambeth Council has unveiled new designs for Kennington Oval Healthy Neighborhood which will transform the streets into places where people can meet and socialize and create new play spaces for children.

The Kennington Oval Healthy Neighborhood Trial will introduce vehicle restrictions for Kennington Oval, Clayton Street and Bowling Green Street, designed to reduce traffic and provide wider improvements that will encourage more people to walk, cycle, cycle or to run.

The trial scheme – known as Kennington Oval Reimagined – will build on the success of two existing school streets where traffic is already restricted at pick-up and drop-off times. Street improvements will be created, such as new seating, more sustainability measures and a new children’s play area.

The trial follows extensive collaboration between Lambeth Council and various residents, businesses, schools and local groups to develop models that prioritize people over cars and other vehicles.

Cllr Rezina Chowdhury, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air, said:

“The council has been working closely with the local community for several months to ensure our projects meet their needs and work for everyone.

“We want children to feel confident exploring their local area with confidence, which is why we are reducing the amount of traffic coming through the area, as well as creating new, safe spaces for our young people to benefit their health and wellbeing.

“We believe that taking a more holistic approach to improving our streets will play a significant role in making Lambeth a fairer, more accessible and climate-resilient borough for everyone.”

Residents and businesses who need to use vehicles to get around will still be able to access the Kennington Oval Healthy Neighborhood. There will also be dispensation for Blue Badge holders, among others, who have to go through traffic filters.

The process will also support Lambeth Council’s ambitions to be UNICEF’s UK Child Friendly Neighborhood, enabling children to move freely and safely while feeling welcome in their neighbourhood.

The Kennington Oval Healthy Neighborhood scheme includes Henry Fawcett Primary School and St Mark’s Primary School, which will benefit from new green spaces for children and young people to enjoy and explore without traffic.

Vehicle restrictions will be enforced through Experimental Traffic Orders and the scheme will be subject to public consultation. The impact of the process will be closely monitored and Lambeth Council will publish a monitoring report in due course.

Cllr Chowdhury added:

“The Kennington Oval Healthy neighborhood trial has been developed with children’s health and wellbeing at its heart.

Too many young people are suffering from the effects of vehicular traffic and air pollution around their homes and schools and we want that to change.

“I’m delighted with the support we’ve already received throughout the onboarding process and we’ll be asking for feedback during the pilot phase.”

(This article first appeared on Love Lambeth and is reproduced here for informational purposes)