We the undersigned believe that Lewisham Council’s ­­attempt, without meaningful consultation,  to close South Row to motor vehicles has a) been shown to be impractical and absolutely unacceptable to the vast majority of residents and b) to have been an improper use of the temporary power granted to local councils under the The Traffic Orders Procedure (Coronovirus)(Amendment) (England) Regulations 2020. These regulations may only be used during the coronavirus emergency to put in place “measures needed to deal with the effects of coronavirus”.

We further note that when the two junior schools on Wemyss Road reopen, this proposal would seriously endanger the health of very young children. Any changes in the function of roads that feed into Blackheath village should be implemented only after extended and informed consultation with residents and local businesses.