The “Streets Reimagined” schemes for Voltaire Road and Sainsbury Road would introduce improvements including new public spaces and seating in safe and calm areas to encourage activities that support local businesses and people.
The latest plans contribute to key council transport and climate policies including the award-winning Kerbside Strategy and the Climate Action Plan improve access, safety, and local business opportunities while promoting fairness and sustainability.
Lambeth’s Streets Reimagined programme aims to transform spaces across the borough including high streets, underused side roads and by transport hubs. The latest proposals build on the work already done on Lambeth’s original ‘reimagined’ project, at Kennington Oval. This now boasts child-friendly School Streets in front of St Marks and Henry Fawcett Primary Schools, contributing to our ambition of becoming a UNICEF-accredited Child-Friendly Cities borough.
Lambeth now has four more Streets Reimagined projects in development for different parts of the borough.
Each of the spaces is unique and the improvements – incorporating feedback from the local community and businesses – are designed to reflect this character. The schemes also seek to celebrate local history and champion inclusivity, creativity, and accessibility.
The focus of Voltaire Road Reimagined is a small shopping parade just off Clapham High Street, which has very little motor traffic but over 7000 people walking every day. This street is also an important cycle link and part of Lambeth’s Healthy Route Network.
The council has been working with local businesses, as part of The Big Shift Car Free Days to showcase how the street could be used for businesses and the community, when motor vehicle movements are removed.
Voltaire Road Reimagined is the next step in enhancing the high street to develop a desirable destination which prioritises people, supports businesses, encourages leisure and is an amenity for residents. The plans include: a safer space for walking, wheeling and cycling; new parklets and public seating; and increased greenery and colourful road surfacing.
Sainsbury Road Reimagined covers an area just off Gipsy Hill, which currently has two-way traffic, with parked vehicles on one side of the road and no pavements for people to walk on. It has a high number of commuters as it serves as access to the accessible entrance of Gipsy Hill overground station.
The council’s plans include creating a new public space for people to walk, scoot wheel and cycle in, with new cycle parking facilities, planters and seating, and a designated pickup and drop-off bay to enable motor vehicle access to the station.
Prescott Place Reimagined covers a small road just off Clapham High Street, which currently has an area without any pavements. The proposed design creates space for people to walk and wheel, while supporting local businesses both at day and night in this vibrant heart of Clapham High Street.
On Abbeville Road, Lambeth’s Car Free Day transformed this local high street on Saturday 17 May 2025. The Council has previously engaged on a Streets Reimagined scheme for this area, and work is ongoing to create a design proposal which we will be asking for feedback on in coming months.
