Frequently asked questions
How have you listened to local residents?
There were more than 3,000 responses from residents and businesses to the council’s initial survey in February 2025, which called for feedback on local traffic and parking issues in each area, and what they thought would make their street more sustainable. The information gathered was used to inform the designs of what a Sustainable Street could look like in six areas: Shooters Hill, Plumstead, Charlton, Kidbrooke & Blackheath, West Thamesmead and Woolwich.
Then during August and September 2025 the Council presented detailed proposals for each of the six areas for residents and businesses to feedback on.
How is the Council making it easier to walk, cycle and take public transport in the borough?
Royal Greenwich is investing significantly to improve everyday journeys and make it easier for residents and businesses to walk, cycle and use public transport.
The Council is investing over £8 million in roads and pavements across the borough. This includes resurfacing, footway repairs, junction improvements, accessibility upgrades, and measures to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. This sits alongside targeted investment of £1.8 million in specific local improvements delivered through Sustainable Streets and neighbourhood-based schemes.
In addition to local street improvements, the Council has played a key role in securing major public transport investment for the borough. This also includes securing the extension of the DLR to Thamesmead, which will significantly improve public transport connectivity, access to jobs, and regeneration opportunities.
Alongside this, the Council continues to:
Expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the borough.
Supporting the growth of car clubs to reduce the need for private car ownership.
Improving cycling infrastructure, including safer routes, crossings and cycle parking.
Improving the reliability of bus journey times for passengers
Promoting sustainable travel options through engagement, education and behaviour-change initiatives.
Try Before You Bike scheme in partnership with Peddle My Wheels
Free cycle skills training sessions for people who live, study or work in the borough
Free bike repair and advice service with Dr. Bike
Extension of Cycleway 4 approved to Woolwich Ferry
Delivery of micromobility bays for e-bike operators
Making it easier to walk and cycle through Greenwich town centre
Together, these measures support the borough’s Transport Strategy, Carbon Neutral Plan, and wider ambitions to improve air quality and road safety.
How is the Council addressing the findings from the Sustainable Streets engagement earlier this year and the informal consultation?
The Council has used the feedback from February 2025 to directly shape the next stages of work.
In response, Royal Greenwich has:
Developed street-specific options, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.
Continued engagement with residents and businesses to refine proposals before any statutory consultation.
Withdrawn or amended proposals in locations where feedback showed limited support, while progressing schemes where there was clear evidence of local need and backing.
This approach ensures that changes are informed by local knowledge and reflect what residents and businesses have told us matters most.
What ongoing work is Royal Greenwich carrying out to support greener travel?
The Council continues to take a balanced, borough-wide approach to supporting greener travel.
This includes:
Ongoing investment of over £8 million in roads and pavements, improving the quality and safety of streets for all users.
Delivering Sustainable Streets schemes where there is support, while pausing or withdrawing proposals where there is not.
Supporting major public transport improvements, including the DLR extension.
Expanding electric vehicle charging, car clubs, and cycle facilities.
Working with residents, businesses, schools and community groups to promote realistic and inclusive alternatives to car travel.
All of this work supports the Council’s long-term objectives to reduce carbon emissions, improve health, and create safer, more accessible streets, while recognising that different areas of the borough have different needs.
Why were Shooters Hill and Plumstead removed from the non-statutory public consultation in August 2025?
The council keeps its proposals under constant review. Therefore, it reconsidered its Sustainable Streets proposals in August and adjusted its consultation to focus on the four areas it thought could benefit most from the Sustainable Streets scheme (Charlton, Kidbrooke and Blackheath, Thamesmead West, and Woolwich) as they are either town centre locations with good transport links, have high levels of new development, or suffer from parking displacement from other areas.
What about existing controlled permit parking zones in Shooters Hill, Plumstead, Charlton, Kidbrooke & Blackheath, and West Thamesmead?
Existing controlled permit parking zones in those areas are not affected.
What happens next if there is a parking permit scheme in Woolwich?
It will prioritise local people and businesses. Any money raised from parking permits is ring-fenced to fund transport and highways improvements in the borough - including subsidised Freedom Passes for older and disabled people. This supports the borough’s response to becoming carbon neutral and contributes to reducing health inequalities. Residential parking permits for vehicles in the borough currently start from £61.20 a year and depend on a vehicle’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
I want resident parking permits introduced on my street. How can I apply?
At this stage, only Woolwich is moving forward to detailed design and statutory consultation as part of the Sustainable Streets programme. No new resident parking permit schemes are being introduced in other areas.
However, we will continue to monitor parking pressures across the borough.
If additional streets or neighbourhoods are considered for future parking controls, information will be published on our website along with opportunities for residents to give feedback or register interest.
Can I still apply for a bike hangar or electric vehicle charging points if I don't live in Woolwich?
Yes. Bike hangars, electric vehicle (EV) charging points and other individual sustainable transport measures are available borough-wide, not only in Woolwich. However, because the consultation identified a higher level of demand in Woolwich, this area may be prioritised.
Residents in any area can register interest in:
Secure cycle parking (bike hangars)
Electric vehicle charging points
Car club bays
More information on how to request these individual improvements will be available on our website. Even where Sustainable Streets is not progressing, we will continue exploring targeted improvements that can benefit local communities.
I live in Shooters Hill, Plumstead, Charlton, Kidbrooke & Blackheath or West Thamesmead and I support the Sustainable Streets initiative. What does that mean for me?
Although the Sustainable Streets proposals are not moving forward in your area at this time, your feedback is still extremely valuable. We know the borough is constantly changing while the population is increasing, and this is likely to have an impact on parking demand in Greenwich, so there may be consultations in the future – but the feedback we have received and the data we have collected suggests there is not enough need in your area to proceed with the Sustainable Streets proposals at this time.
Many residents told us they support individual improvements such as better cycle storage, additional car club vehicles or more EV charging points even if they did not support the full package of changes.
We will continue to look at opportunities to deliver these targeted measures across the borough. This may include inviting residents to register interest in specific improvements or reopening consultation on certain streets in the future if local conditions change.
Please check our website regularly for updates on how you can get involved or request specific sustainable transport measures for your area.
Why does the council want to discourage unnecessary car journeys?
Transport is the second biggest source of emissions in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, and the impact is being felt locally. We have the fourth highest number of babies being hospitalised with respiratory tract infections anywhere in London, and air pollution levels in the area are higher than the World Health Organisation’s guidelines. We need to cut emissions, improve air quality, encourage more sustainable modes of transport, and create a climate-resilient transport network. Consequently, to help deliver our ambitious targets to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030, in line with the Council’s Carbon Neutral Plan, the Council consulted residents on the adopted Transport Strategy in 2022.
How do resident permit schemes impact Blue Badge Holders or carers?
Blue Badge holders in areas with a parking permit scheme can apply for free annual permits. Blue badge holders may also be eligible to apply for a Disabled parking bay which can be located close to their property. Further information on Disabled bays can be found on our website here.
We also offer carers permits which are sold at £15 per year. More information on carers permits.
How will the Sustainable Streets programme be funded?
Our aim is for the Sustainable Streets programme to be self-funding. Permit fees cover the costs of introducing, the administration and the maintenance of these schemes. Any additional fees will help fund the new sustainable transport measures and improvements to local streets, including more street trees and planting, secure cycle storage hubs, electric vehicle charging points, car club bays and safer crossing points.
All funds raised from enforcement of resident parking permits are ring-fenced for local transport and highways improvements, such as fixing potholes or resurfacing roads, and discounts on travel, such as Freedom Passes for older and disabled residents who travel via public transport.
What were the key findings from residents and businesses in February 2025?
Parking congestion and road safety create daily challenges
People are interested in switching to electric vehicles, but a lack of charging points and high costs are putting them off
Cycling levels are low, with safety fears, inadequate bike storage, and insufficient cycling infrastructure discouraging use