Making Greenwich the place for the future
This theme is made up of three outcomes:
- It is easier, safer and cleaner to get around
- Greenwich continues to realise its potential through inclusive regeneration
- Address the climate crisis, minimise waste and build a more sustainable environment for the future
What we want to achieve
By 2050:
- new neighbourhoods have been built with homes, green space, schools, transport and places to work
- older neighbourhoods have been renewed without losing their character or their communities
- you can get around easily without relying on a car, and where streets and homes are ready for a changing climate
Progress we've made
Greenwich continues to see major regeneration across the borough.
Woolwich, Charlton Riverside, Greenwich Peninsula, Thamesmead and Abbey Wood have been identified in the London Plan as ‘Opportunity Areas’ to develop new homes, jobs and infrastructure.
We will continue to:
- play a role in regenerating these areas
- work with local communities and partners to create new homes, green spaces, schools, leisure facilities and transport (including the DLR extension) in Charlton Riverside and Thamesmead New Town
- use the Local Plan to make sure homes are designed to be high-quality and energy efficient, and that important spaces and heritage assets are protected
We've heard from resident's that development does not always have a positive impact on the local area.
We will continue to get developer contributions to invest in essential infrastructure so regeneration works for new and existing communities and that local people are not priced out of their area.
Climate change
Climate change is a lived reality and we must reduce emissions and pollution across the borough. We want Greenwich to be ready for the generations to come: a cleaner, healthier borough that is tackling climate change and building resilience to it.
Climate change is the greatest long-term threat we face, and with miles of riverfront, the risk of flooding is especially acute in Royal Greenwich. In 2019, we declared a climate emergency, approved our Carbon Neutral Plan in 2021. We now have 75 commitments across seven themes, a third are complete and a third are in progress.
Since then:
- operational emissions from council buildings, schools, street lighting and vehicles are 29% below their 2019/20 baseline
- we have planted 5,695 trees against a target of 5,000 by 2026
- per-capita emissions are the lowest on record.
Our commitment shapes how we power the borough and protect its natural environment by:
- developing heat networks
- strengthening the circular economy through better waste management
- delivering a new sustainability and biodiversity plan
- investing in flood and drainage infrastructure.
- retrofitting council homes and making sure new development is sustainable through our Climate Resilience planning guidance
We can only achieve change if residents and businesses act on climate change with us.
We will continue working with residents, businesses and developers to inspire and enable climate action, advocate on the borough's behalf - pressing to decarbonise the grid and for retrofit funding.
Over the next four years, we will continue to tackle climate change and protecting our natural environment through our Carbon Neutral Plan.
Transport
Getting around Greenwich should be enjoyable, clean and safe.
Transport is the second largest source of carbon emissions in the borough so we will prioritise making sustainable travel accessible and well-connected.
We want to encourage more journeys on foot, by bike and public transport. To do this we will:
- raise the number of residents living 400metres from a safe cycleway from 37% to 72% by 2041 through more cycle routes and infrastructure
- offer every eligible child a £150 voucher towards a bike or scooter and safety equipment
- pedestrianise key areas like Greenwich Town Centre
- improve walking routes, pavements and crossings in the borough
- install 2,000 public electric vehicle (EV) chargers and expanding car clubs across the borough for those who need to drive
- work with TfL and National Rail to invest in public transport, to improve infrastructure and access to greener and easier travel
- invest £8million to improve pavement conditions, highways maintenance and potholes
- roll out a borough-wide 20mph speed limit
- increase the number of School Streets across Greenwich to improve safety at school pick-up and drop-off times.
These commitments will make our streets safer and calmer for everyone. Including people cycling to school, driving to work, crossing the road or enjoying a walk to one of our parks or green spaces.