Kennington Oval Reimagined

After considering all the data we have collected, and feedback received during the trial, the council has made the decision to make the Kennington Oval Reimagined scheme permanent.

Context

The Kennington Oval Reimagined trial was designed to make the neighbourhood safer, healthier and more climate resilient. The trial launched on 3 June 2024 under an Experimental Traffic Management Order (ETO). For the next 6 months (3rd June 2024 - 3rd December 2024), there was a public statutory objection period.

In November 2025 we published data that showed the scheme was reducing overall traffic in the area, supporting the wider objectives of our Climate Action Plan (CAP), Transport Strategy and the Lambeth 2030 Borough Plan.

The decision report for this can be viewed here: https://moderngov.lambeth.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=10076

What is happening now?

Permanent traffic order

We have decided to make the scheme permanent, based on analysis of the consultation responses and data on the impact of the scheme. Monitoring from the Kennington Oval Reimagined shows that:

• Traffic has dropped by an average of 34% across the internal roads of the trial area and by 2% on the surrounding boundary roads
• Cycling has increased by an average of 41% across the internal roads of the trial area and by 11% on the surrounding boundary roads

The traffic order for the project will now become permanent. The infrastructure used for the trial will remain in place for now - there will be no visible changes to the Kennington Oval Reimagined scheme and how it looks on the ground.

In the longer term, this infrastructure may be upgraded with permanent materials. This would be subject to further engagement with the community and funding. Until that time, the current infrastructure will be maintained.

Supporting improvements

In addition to making the scheme permanent, a number of supporting measures have been identified based on feedback received during the trial, with the aim of further improving the area:

• We have slightly shifted the planters at the north end of Bowling Green Street to improve vehicle access.
• We’re planning to alter the arrangement of the Bowling Green Street traffic filter to include a collapsible bollard which will allow Emergency Services to pass through when required.
• We will keep monitoring feedback about cycle speeds and support the police to enforce against illegal e-bikes which can cause road danger through excessive speeding.
• In response to personal safety concerns that reference lighting, we will explore options for improving lighting on certain streets.
• We will continue to monitor the traffic impacts on Clayton Street (which saw a 13% traffic increase - the only street which saw a traffic increase in the area), recognising that local development work may impact this. Findings from any further monitoring would inform any potential changes or improvements.
• We will keep working with delivery companies to ensure they are aware of where they can load and unload, and to support their operations in the area.

The council is also proposing to consult on introducing some proposed parking amendments, which include:

• A new loading bay on Kennington Oval to serve properties on Harleyford Road
• Double yellows lines near Clayton Street to allow for safer turning movements of larger vehicles from Kennington Oval into Clayton Street
• A new taxi rank on Kennington Oval to serve local residents, and visitors to the Oval Cricket Ground and wider area.

These proposed changes will be consulted on as part of a new amendment to the permanent traffic order. Details of this statutory consultation will be published on this webpage in due course, as well as letters to homes in the area informing residents about the statutory consultation and how they can respond.

Do you have a question or suggestion?

If you have any questions, please contact the Transport Strategy Team through the online form:

https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/form/transport-strategy-project