Southwark Council's Lower Road Cycleway Phase 1 Made Permanent, Funding for Phase 2 Remains Uncertain
Southwark Council has officially made the Lower Road Cycleway 4 scheme permanent, a decision lauded for its role in significantly boosting cycling numbers and enhancing road safety. However, the critical Phase 2 of the project, which aims to tackle congestion and improve bus journey times, currently faces an unidentified funding gap.
The Overview & Scrutiny Committee of Southwark Council convened on Monday, 05 October 2026, to review the Lower Road Project. The committee received an update highlighting a substantial 81% increase in cycling trips since the cycleway's opening in March 2024. Average monthly cycle trips rose from 1,747 to 3,163 between 2018 and 2025.
Despite an overall reduction in traffic volumes by 8% compared to pre-scheme levels, congestion and bus journey times continue to be significant concerns. Five out of the eight bus routes operating on the corridor have experienced slower speeds, with Route 1 seeing an 11% decrease.
Councillor Stephanie Cryan voiced concerns about the potential impact of a proposed yellow box junction at Redriff Road on bus journeys, suggesting it could exacerbate traffic in Surrey Docks Ward. Councillor Sarah King questioned the scheme's design assumptions and their applicability across the borough, particularly in light of the detrimental effect on bus times.
Officers acknowledged the ongoing congestion issues and pledged to collaborate with ward councillors on future proposals. They also outlined a new strategy for engaging with ward councillors on upcoming schemes, emphasizing enhanced collaboration and the integration of local insights.
Phase 2: Addressing Congestion and Bus Times
Phase 2 of the Lower Road programme is being developed with a primary focus on improving bus journey times, reducing congestion, and enhancing overall network performance. Two options are under consideration: Option 1 involves retaining the existing gyratory system with performance improvements, while Option 2 proposes removing the gyratory to create a bus-only section of Lower Road. However, no funding has yet been identified for this crucial phase.
Regarding funding for Phase 2, officers confirmed they are working closely with Transport for London (TfL). There isn't a guaranteed funding for phase two but we are working very closely with TFL,
they stated. We have a well established long term relationship with them and this was from the outset seen as a two way scheme. Not just for active travel but also for a lot of you who know the history way better than me also like for bus improvements and addressing congestion. TFL are aware of this and we are hoping that we can secure the funding for phase two working with them.
A projected timeline for securing this funding has not yet been established.
Under Option 1, the existing gyratory arrangement would be retained, with efforts focused on improving its performance through detailed analysis and modelling. This would involve identifying junction efficiencies at Plough Way, Redriff Road, and Hawkstone Road. The report notes that As there are no bus lanes in this area, any improvement in capacity would benefit bus movements and general traffic alike.
Specific performance improvements and their expected impact on traffic flow beyond this general description are not detailed.
Option 2 would involve removing the gyratory, making Bestwood Street and Rotherhithe Old Road two-way for general traffic. Lower Road between Redriff Road and Hawkstone Road would become bus-only, aiming to improve bus journey times along this section. Analysis indicates that fully resolving bus reliability and network performance issues is likely to require the broader Lower Road gyratory redesign that was part of the original 2019 proposals.
Councillor Victoria Mills proposed an audit trail to understand the changes made to the scheme since 2019 and the rationale behind them. Councillor Bill Williams inquired about the council's contingency plan should funding for Phase 2 not be secured.
In response to a question about a Plan B
if funding for Phase 2 is not secured, councillors were informed that a formal contingency plan has not been fully developed. I think well, we've you know, we haven't thought that through but you know, I think it's going as it goes through like as you know with any any any long term schemes and and we are hoping that we'll be able to get because we we've had this discussion like another commitment from TFL that we'll have the long term funding. But if we don't receive that specific funding through that avenue we just need to to look at the other avenues of sourcing and funding whether this is like not see a lot of other sources of funding,
was the response, indicating an intention to explore alternative funding avenues if necessary. The potential consequences for the cycleway project and the surrounding area if funding is not secured remain unspecified.
The council has already implemented measures to improve traffic flow in Phase 1, including relocating parking bays and reinstating a yellow box junction at Redriff Road. Design changes have also been developed at the Culling Road, Ann Moss Way, and Chilton Grove junctions, such as reinstating right turns at Culling Road and Ann Moss Way. These are intended to address congestion and improve traffic flow, indirectly benefiting bus journey times, though a specific strategy solely for mitigating bus journey time impacts from Phase 1 while Phase 2 is unfunded is not explicitly detailed.
More information on the project can be found in the Public reports pack for the Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting on 05 October 2026.