Lambeth residents are petitioning for the removal of a green council initiative, which has seen the closure of neighbourhood streets in an effort to make the area more environmentally and family friendly.
The Kennington Oval Reimagined scheme was introduced in September, in an effort to make the Kennington Park Estate greener and more family-friendly.
Bookended by two primary schools and set in the shadow of The Oval cricket ground, the estate is also the subject of a schools’ traffic scheme, meaning for two hours out of the day, the school streets are closed to all traffic, to allow children to come in and out of school safely.
However, Kennington Park Estate resident Lisa Young said: “The fact that the two schemes have been put in together means that this part of the estate is essentially marooned for two hours a day.
“So, no deliveries, no services, no doctors can come – and there are lots of older people who live on the estate – and it has meant that some people are not willing to come because they’re not entirely sure of the times.”
Taxi drivers are also now allegedly hesitant to venture on to the estate, in fear of fines associated with the schools scheme, Lisa explained.
Watch the video below to hear more about the inconveniences Lambeth residents say they now face as a result of the Reimagined green initiative.
Neither Lambeth Council nor The Oval have responded to requests for comment.
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