- Greenwich Council is holding a consultation on creating a new cycle route between Greenwich Park and Eltham.
- The plans mean narrowing Eltham Hill so that cars won’t be able to pass buses which stop to pick up passengers creating unnecessary congestion.
- The cycle route will also remove the footpath across the bottom of Eltham Green and the wildflower beds to replace them with two way cycle lane across the grass.
- Greenwich, Eltham and Chislehurst Conservative Federation believe that developing the existing “Greenwich to Bexleyheath Quietway” (Cycleway C according to TfL) is a better way to support cyclists coming to Eltham in addition to avoiding visitors driving to Eltham being delayed/deterred from visiting and preserving the green space we value so much.
Greenwich Council’s new proposal for a cycle route between Greenwich and Eltham risks causing traffic jams and will tarmac over green space locally in the name of looking after the environment.
The Labour-run Council’s “Cycle, Walk and Wheeling: Eltham to Greenwich” consultation is open until 23rd September and Eltham Conservatives are urging residents to respond to the proposals linked to Eltham Hill which will negatively impact our already struggling High Street by blocking roads with stationary buses, decreasing parking spaces and tarmacking over the edge of Eltham Green.
Bus stops blocking Eltham Hill
The Council’s proposal for a cycle lane up Eltham Hill means moving bus stops to block the road on both sides of the road – one section is shown above. In plans which look like the bus stops on Shooters Hill, cars won’t be able to get round buses when they stop to pick up passengers, slowing traffic on Eltham Hill and probably causing unnecessary traffic jams.
Tarmacking over Eltham Green
The proposal also removes the footpath for pedestrians across the bottom of Eltham Green, replacing it with a track only for cycles. Similarly the southern edge of Eltham Green will be replaced with a cycle track meaning grass and wildflowers will be replaced with tarmac.
Removal of parking spaces
The plans also aim to remove a number of parking spaces along Eltham Hill, for example those between Green Way and Mayerne Road shown above.
Conservative alternative which is better for cyclists and motorists
Having successfully campaigned against two attempts to block roads through the Page Estate in 2021and 2025 Eltham Conservatives know that it is vital residents respond to the consultation before the deadline. You can respond on the consultation website.
Chair of Eltham Park, Page and Progress Conservatives Spencer Drury commented “These proposals risk damaging Eltham when they are completely unnecessary. There is an existing Quietway cycle route from Greenwich to Bexleyheath which was installed in 2018 which allows cyclists to journey safely through our area. With a little adjustment the Quietway could include a spur to the High Street from near to Eltham Station which would have minimal impact on motorists and would not remove green space. We believe there is a better way to achieve the Council’s aims and oppose the proposed scheme as it will damage our High Street, inconvenience residents and likely create rat running through local residential roads as a side effect.”
Tell Eltham Conservatives what you think by completing this form: Tell us your views on the Greenwich to Eltham cycle route – Fill in form