The council has drawn up the Healthier Neighbourhood plan for the area to enable residents to live more active lives, where walking, wheeling, scooting, and cycling is convenient, pleasant, and the preferred choice when possible.
The scheme also aims to make streets safer by reducing road danger, improving air quality and giving local communities much better opportunities to socialise outdoors.
The Wyvil proposals, for the area between Wandsworth Road and South Lambeth Road – which includes a significant amount of social housing – also provides more kerbside spaces for local businesses to trade from, new cycle parking, parklets where people can sit, rest and play, and planting new trees and other greenery.
Lambeth plans to introduce the scheme on a trial basis at first – and, before making this change, the council wants residents’ feedback on the proposed design of the healthy neighbourhood. Residents can give their views on the proposed design during a four-week public engagement process, which will run until 26 May.
Word from the Council
Cllr Rezina Chowdhury, deputy council leader and cabinet member for Clean Air & Sustainable Lambeth, said: “We’ve put together these plans for Wyvil after considering how we can improve all of Lambeth’s neighbourhoods, and listening to the concerns of people living in the area.
“This proposal underscores Lambeth’s commitment to sustainability and community well-being for everyone in our borough.
“We know that schemes like these can dramatically improve neighbourhoods by rebalancing streets and putting the priorities of local people first. I’m looking forward to hearing residents’ opinions on how a healthy neighbourhood can best address their ambitions for their area.”
Lambeth’s Borough Plan sets out a bold vision to make neighbourhoods ‘fit for the future’; with cleaner, greener, and more vibrant communities where everyone can lead healthier lives.
The implementation of key transport and climate policies including the award-winning Kerbside Strategy and Lambeth Climate Action Plan improve access, safety, and local business opportunities while promoting fairness and sustainability. A healthy neighbourhood helps the council achieve these goals by creating spaces that prioritize people, reduce pollution, and support local communities.
The proposed Wyvil area healthy neighbourhood features a School Street that would provide a safe space for children and carers outside the school gates. It also includes a cycle route, and bays that support both economic and social activity, helping to reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, and make streets safer for everyone.
Wyvil was chosen as a location for a healthy neighbourhood scheme because its streets are primarily residential, most people in the area don’t own a car and it has excellent public transport connections. The proposal covers Wyvil Road, Wilcox Road, Hartington Road, Thorn Road and Guildford Road. Proposed changes on Wilcox Road, Hartington Road, and Thorncroft Street aim to make everyday journeys safer and easier. They will help parents and carers drop off and pick up children more safely, supporting a safer journey to and from school. The improvements will also create a more welcoming environment, encouraging footfall and helping local businesses thrive.
The heart of this proposal is the traffic filter at Hartington Road which will enable the transformation of Wilcox Road. The proposed filter will reduce through traffic, making space for a “Healthy Route” and a “School Street”. A new cycle route will support safe active travel. Other changes—like loading bays, parklets, and cycle parking—will make the area more enjoyable. These spaces invite people to stop and relax, helping the neighbourhood feel more connected and supporting local life and business.
To keep access for those who need it, school staff, residents, Blue Badge holders and businesses in the School Street exemption area can apply for access to the timed restriction on Wilcox Road. The School Street will operate only during school pick-up and drop-off times. Outside these hours, the road will remain one-way for motor vehicles.
Before we make these changes, we want your feedback on the proposed design of the healthy neighbourhood. The designs are based on previous engagement with local people and organisations in 2023 and 2024, in addition to analysis of data on traffic, travel patterns and air quality.
You can view maps and other information via the links below – Take the survey and contribute your ideas.
Engagement on the proposed design will last four weeks, and end on 26 May.
Wyvil Healthy Neighbourhood design engagement page – https://haveyoursay.lambeth.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/proposed-design-engagement-wyvil
