Purpose

To note the outcome of the public consultation undertaken by TfL on the ‘Thamesmead bus lane, walking and cycling proposals’, also noting the outcome of the TfL ‘Barnham Drive proposals – Thamesmead’ consultation.  To decide whether to provide ‘Agreement in Principle’ for the proposals as a strategic scheme, subject to satisfactory design development and entering into the necessary Legal Agreements

Decision

1. Agreed to the concept of the ‘Thamesmead Bus Lane, Walking and Cycling Proposals’, and approved the proposals as a strategic traffic management scheme.
2. Formally noted that Transport for London (TfL), at the request of Royal Borough of Greenwich, has removed from the proposals an eastbound general traffic lane on Plumstead Road, and to make the decision that support for the scheme, including the Royal Borough of Greenwich entering into (or remaining in) any agreements with TfL and Homes England, will be withdrawn should this general traffic lane be progressed as part of the proposals.
3. Noted and considered the outcome of, and representations received in response to, the public consultation for the ‘Thamesmead Bus Lane, Walking and Cycling Proposals’ undertaken by Transport for London (TfL) between November 2025 and January 2026, which will inform further design work for the route.
4. Noted that, whilst the ‘Barnham Drive’ public consultation also undertaken by TfL between November 2025 and January 2026 shows support for a new bus road linking east and west Thamesmead, there are a number of issues that TfL needs to consider in implementing this link at the present time, meaning TfL has taken the decision to pause the project. 
5. Subject to the proposed general traffic lane on Plumstead Road not being included within the proposals, agreed further collaboration between TfL, Homes England and the Royal Borough of Greenwich (RBG) to deliver the proposed ‘Thamesmead Bus Lane, Walking and Cycling Proposals’ improvements in Thamesmead, by granting the Chief Officer authority to enter in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TfL.
6. Subject to the proposed general traffic lane on Plumstead Road not being included within the proposals, agreed to the principle that TfL (or its appointed contractor) undertakes concept design, detailed design and construction of the route, subject to: RBG’s technical approval of the designs; securing the necessary decision(s) from the Chief Officer to advertise traffic order(s) for consultation; and entering into an agreement pursuant to Section 8 of the Highways Act 1980 and other legal agreements which may be required for construction of the ‘Thamesmead Bus Lane, Walking and Cycling Proposals’ proposals as set out in this report and Appendix 1.