Peckham’s Rye Lane, the former Golden Mile, given £650,000 makeover

With a dedicated contra flow cycle track, widened pavements, new trees and a fully reconstructed road, the six month project was unveiled by Southwark Council and their partners on Monday 19 July.

Why work was carried out

Once known locally as The Golden Mile, this stretch of road has begun to show its age. The busy shopping street has for years also had to juggle heavy bus traffic, a busy cycle route and high pedestrian numbers.

So last year, Southwark Council decided to carry out consultation with local and business communities, working with partners Transport for London and the London Cycle Network, to establish what improvements were needed to be built.

Then in January of this year, work started on combining major improvements not only for local shops and businesses, but for cyclists, shoppers and bus users.

Councillor Barrie Hargrove, cabinet member for transport, environment and recycling at Southwark Council, said: "I want to do all I can to make sure our streets are not only better for people getting from A to B, but that they provide a better environment for local businesses and shops. This new look Rye Lane is now a hugely improved part of Peckham, and I'm proud to be able to open it up today, on budget and ahead of schedule, for everyone to enjoy."

Ben Plowden, Director of Better Routes and Places at Transport for London, said: "The improved Rye Lane will significantly improve the environment in the town centre as well as create a safe and pleasant walking and cycling environment.

"With many people taking to two wheels and walking for shorter journeys, it is important to invest in facilities that promote cycling and walking. Improving streets and shared spaces is at the heart of the Mayor of London's agenda and TfL is pleased to be funding projects such as Rye Lane that directly support the Mayor's Transport Strategy."

Project Centre's managing director Mark Raisbeck added: "We hope that Rye Lane will be as successful as our design for Walworth Road which not only reduced accidents, but helped reduce crime and regenerate the area. Southwark Council asked us to use our design expertise to improve Rye Lane to enhance the local economy and make the street something local people are proud of."

Further information

Improvements

• More robust carriageway reconstructed to withstand heavy vehicles and high volume of bus traffic
  
• Widened shared space with quality paving and new contra flow cycle track
  
• Safer and more accessible environment for pedestrians and cyclists
  
• Widened and upgraded crossing at Peckham High Street junction with Peckham Square, from pelican to puffin, incorporating cyclists
  
• New level crossing at Rye Lane and Hanover Park junction
  
• New trees
  
• Improved street scene

Funders

Southwark Council

Transport for London (Better Routes and Places)

Works

Scheme started on site: 25 Jan 2010

Works cost: £650,000

Completed on 19 July 2010 ahead of schedule and on budget.

Background on improvements

The section of Rye Lane, between Hanover Park and Peckham High Street is a key shopping area and its carriageway provides a corridor for many London buses. Due to high bus traffic demand the road has suffered major reduction in quality, despite Southwark Council's maintenance works over the recent years.

As well as road improvements, it was seen as a real opportunity to promote local businesses in the area by improving the entire street, increasing road safety and making conditions better for pedestrians and cyclists.

Southwark Council allocated £450,000 to resurface the lane. It also worked together with Transport for London to create a new 'shared space' that would make the area better for local businesses, provide a southbound contra flow cycle track, and upgrade the crossing at the junction of Rye Lane and Peckham High Street for both pedestrians and cyclists.

The new cycle contra flow track will greatly enhance connectivity for cyclists in Peckham and those travelling from Burgess Park towards Rye Lane via the local Surrey Canal path.

This scheme supports the principles for improving London's public spaces as outlined in the London Mayor's Great Outdoors programme.

Project Centre

Project Centre, with Southwark Council, won three major awards for their design for Walworth Road last year. For more info please visit the Project centre website.