Catford south circular road changes still unconfirmed after 16 years
Plans to alter the one-way system in Catford on the south circular remains to be signed-off – 16 years after a development was supposed to bring the project forward.
Work would see substantial change to streets around the town centre as part of attempt to see new housing built. It’s now three years since one consultation ended.
Recent questions to Lewisham Council by Mark Morris show they are still awaiting approval from government for funding. The Council’s Cabinet approved plans back in 2021.
It’s been a long and torturous process, with 16 years passing since a Catford development between both stations in the town resulted in an allocation of Section 106 funding for the project – and seven years since £10 million was announced in Housing Infrastructure Fund money.
TfL stated last year:
“We entered into an agreement with the London Borough of Lewisham in February and are working with them to support their ambition to create a greener town centre for Catford, ensuring it is a pleasant place to live, work and visit, and improve transport in the area.”
They highlight the new government have yet to agree: “To fund this scheme, we are also applying for funding through the DfT’s Major Road Network fund. The business case was considered at the DfT Roads Investment Committee on 22 May.
“We have been chasing and are waiting on an update on the progress of the scheme to HM Treasury following the General Election on 4 July, however the backlog, together with the strategy of the new administration, has delayed the scheme getting to the Finance Committee for review. ”
Too many cooks in the kitchen
For almost twenty years discussions have been ongoing between Lewisham Council, Transport for London and central Government. Much time and money spent in a bureaucratic tangle with as yet no end.
In an update before TfL’s February 2025 Board meeting to be held next week and uploaded just yesterday, a new report states:
“On 13 December 2023, the Board approved in principle a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) being made for the land required to deliver the Catford Town gyratory highway scheme.
“TfL made the CPO on 15 January 2024 and the public inquiry had been set for 21 and 22 January 2025. We will always seek to resolve such matters by agreement and have continued to work in parallel with affected landowners. Those discussions have concluded positively and, on that basis, as well as the fact that discussions with the local planning authority about the scheme are still continuing, the decision has been made to withdraw the CPO.”
Eyes are now on Westminster:
“Over the last year the Department’s Roads and Local Investment Committee has considered a Strategic Outline Case (SOC) for Transport for London’s (TfL) Catford Town Centre road scheme, which would include the realignment of part of the A205 South Circular. The scheme is being progressed by TfL for possible funding as part of the Department’s Major Road Network/ Large Local Majors programme. The Department’s decision on whether to approve the SOC will be issued in due course.”
If work does begin, Lewisham council proposed re-routing the south circular behind Lawrence House and push forward building thousands of homes. The Catford Town Centre Framework includes 2,700 homes.
The one-way system would see two-way traffic with a dedicated cycle lane. The cost has now grown to £55-£60 million.
If funding is approved work would start in summer 2025 with highways work commencing in May 2026 lasting for two years. However without a decision and soon, that timeline is likely to slip yet further.
Thanks to Mark Morris for excellent assistance and a dogged history of asking questions on the status of this project.
