West and East Greenwich Neighbourhood Management Scheme recommended to be made permanent as traffic and air quality indicators improve
The Council has today published a report with recommendations that the West and East Greenwich Neighbourhood Management trial scheme is made permanent (subject to processes) with cameras located on Royal Hill and Blisset Street relocated and the number of Blue Badge holder exemptions doubling from one to two.
The recommendations come following the widespread consultation with residents and business owners, along with and the independent monitoring data demonstrating measurable changes in traffic air quality indicators and active travel. Full details can be found in the report.
The trial has seen 13 roads closed to through traffic at peak times on weekdays, but with exemptions for disabled blue badge holders in Royal Borough of Greenwich, community groups, taxis, private hire vehicles, emergency services and those in exceptional circumstances.
The report recommends:
- Keeping the timings of the scheme the same: Monday to Friday, 7am to 10am and 3pm to 7pm.
- Relocating the cameras on Royal Hill and Blissett Street
- Increasing in the number of vehicle exemptions per eligible Blue Badge holder from one vehicle to two.
Thousands of people have taken part in over three rounds of community feedback: from gathering initial insights about traffic issues in the area, to sharing proposals to finally trialling those proposals in real life. The most recent round of consultation took place during the trial so residents could comment on what they were like in practice. Over 4,000 people took part and 273 people came to six neighbourhood feedback events that were held in the local areas, and just over 50 people attended an online session.
The data shows that within trial areas:
- Traffic has reduced by 66% in West Greenwich, 52% in East Greenwich and 15% in Charlton during the hours the filters are in operation.
- Vehicle use has declined by 30% within West Greenwich and by 20% within East Greenwich during non-filtered periods.
- Motorised trips across the whole area (including boundary roads) has reduced by 6%.
- 54% of areas in West Greenwich experienced decreasing NO2, with an 11% increase in some locations
- 66% of areas in East Greenwich experienced decreasing levels of NO2, with no areas experiencing an increase
- 77% of areas in Charlton experienced decreasing or similar levels of NO2, with a 23% increase in some locations
- Some boundary areas have experienced slightly more traffic, which will we work with residents to mitigate
- 23% of survey respondents said they were walking and wheeling 'much more’ and ‘more’ than before
- There are no concerns from TfL about bus journey times
What happens next?
The decision to keep, remove or amend the West and East Neighbourhood Management Trial Scheme is not dependent on any single metric, but a combination of them together with feedback from the formal consultation with residents and stakeholders.
The Leader of the Council will consider the report and make a decision no earlier than Friday 3 October 2025. The Council will be writing to all residents and businesses within the boundary areas to let them know the recommendations in the report and what the next steps are. There will be further engagement with residents once a final decision is made
Any decision made may be subject to a ‘call-in’ where a group of councillors can request a review.
If the recommended decisions are made, the next stage is to proceed to a Traffic Managment Order which is a legal process to implement the decision.
Frequently asked questions
What is happening?
A report has been published recommending making the trial permanent. Part of the recommendation includes relocating the cameras in Royal Hill and Blissett Street and increasing the number of exemptions for eligible blue badge holders from one to two vehicles.
The timings of the scheme are proposed to remain the same: part time, Monday to Friday, between 7am to 10am and 3pm to 7pm.
These recommendations in the report are subject to process. In the meantime, existing measures remain in place. More on this below.
Why is this happening?
We want to make our borough cleaner, greener and safer to move around – but in a way that works for everyone. The Council always said it would listen to residents and look at the evidence before making a decision whether to keep, amend or remove parts of the scheme.
Data collected independently before and during the trial, pre-and-post Silvertown Tunnel, shows a shift in how people are choosing to travel with a decrease in motor traffic and some reductions in nitroxide dioxide levels.
The data shows that within trial areas:
Traffic has reduced by 66% in West Greenwich, 52% in East Greenwich and 15% in Charlton during the hours the filters are in operation.
Vehicle use has declined by 30% within West Greenwich and by 20% within East Greenwich during non-filtered periods.
Motorised trips across the whole area (including boundary roads) has reduced by 6%.
54% of areas in West Greenwich experienced decreasing NO2, with an 11% increase in some locations
66% of areas in East Greenwich experienced decreasing levels of NO2, with no areas experiencing an increase
77% of areas in Charlton experienced decreasing or similar levels of NO2, with a 23% increase in some locations
Some boundary areas have experienced slightly more traffic, which will we work with residents to mitigate
23% of survey respondents said they were walking and wheeling 'much more’ and ‘more’ than before
There are no concerns from TfL about bus journey times
How have you listened to residents and businesses?
Thousands of people have taken part in over three rounds of feedback: from gathering initial insights about traffic issues in the area, to sharing proposals to finally trialling it in real life. The most recent round of resident consultation took place during the trial so residents could comment on what they were like in practice.
We had over 4,000 responses and 270 people came to six neighbourhood feedback events that were held in the local areas, and just over 50 people attended an online session.
We also engaged closely with businesses across the trial areas via the consultation, engagement event, and meetings.
What happens next?
The decision to keep, remove or amend the West and East Neighbourhood Management Trial Scheme is not dependent on any single metric, but a combination of them together with feedback from the formal consultation with residents and stakeholders.
The Leader of the Council will consider the report and make a decision no earlier than Friday 3 October 2025. The Council will be writing to all residents and businesses within the boundary areas to let them know the recommendations in the report and what the next steps are. There will be further engagement with residents once a final decision is made
Any decision made may be subject to a ‘call-in’ where a group of councillors can request a review.
If the recommended decisions are made, the next stage is to proceed to a Traffic Managment Order which is a legal process to implement the decision.
Where does the money from fines go?
Any revenue generated from Penalty Charge Notices (PCN) is, by law, ringfenced to fund transport and highways improvements that benefit the whole borough, as well as contributing towards Freedom Passes for older and disabled people.
Will residents be given exemptions?
The report does not recommend resident exemptions.
Exemptions are available for those with specific needs, including Blue Badge holders, taxis, private hire vehicles, and individuals or groups in exceptional circumstances.
We are proposing an increase in the number of vehicle exemptions per eligible Blue Badge holder from one vehicle to two.
Will the scheme be monitored?
We had the impact of the scheme independently measured before and during the trial, and before and after the opening of the Silvertown tunnel. If the recommendations are agreed and the scheme is made permanent, we will continue to monitor the scheme for 12 months.