'End of the nightmare': campaigners celebrate pedestrianisation win at Cold Blow Lane, New Cross

Cold Blow Lane links Mercury Way and Sanford Street, in close proximity to many schools, had presented a danger to pedestrians and cyclists for decades with its narrow pavements and poor visibility.

However, following their success in securing permanent pedestrianisation, campaigners feel there is still more to be done, and have launched a survey to gain support for further changes. 

Local resident and father Mario Toraldo said he is relieved at the changes that have already happened: “We are very happy, it has improved the lives of the neighbourhood."

"The children that use the tunnel in the morning can have a better prospect of life, not having to inhale the pollution or deal with the lack of safety.”

At the time of the initial consultation on pedestrianisation, advocacy group Lewisham Cyclists stated: “There are a very limited number of safely cyclable east-west routes in this area due to the dislocation caused by the railway lines running from London Bridge south towards East Croydon.

"This closure will enable more people on cycles to safely move between New Cross and Deptford avoiding main roads.”

Lewisham Cyclists also suggested key improvements, such as improved lighting in the tunnels, and highway improvements to address stagnant water gathering in the tunnels. They suggested murals and planting initiatives, as well as a crossing where the lane ends onto Sanford Street to better connect to the pedestrianised route through Woodpecker Estate. 

With the temporary closure made permanent, the residents behind the community campaign have set their sights on seeing these and other changes implemented. 

Ward councillor Liam Shrivastava said: “This pedestrianisation will make such a difference, making children's walk and cycle to school healthier and safer and there are exciting plans underway for a bike bus beginning in April.”

He also noted that the area was earmarked for a potential Healthy Streets corridor so should see further improvements. 

Toraldo said he and other campaigners worked closely with Shrivastava and councillor Louise Krupski, Lewisham cabinet member for environment, transport and climate action.

"They’ve both been incredibly supportive since the beginning, since they’re both cyclists themselves they could understand what it felt like going through the tunnel.” Campaigners also worked with Lewisham Cyclists, especially to organise three successful Play Street events. 

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Links to other cycleways

Some of the potential improvements relate to greater connectivity to existing infrastructure, which would make for more seamless and safer journeys. This could see links to other nearby cycleways, improving the experience for cyclists heading east - west and keen to avoid the dangerous A2 corridor. If a crossing was installed on Sanford Street, it could connect to Woodpecker Lane. 

With some additional wayfinding, the Lane could connect through John Williams Close and Bridgerton Meadows to Ilderton Road. Part of Ilderton Road has recently seen a new cycleway open, as part of Cycleway 62. This Cycleway will link Rotherhithe to Peckham and utilise a route through Bridgehouse Meadows. 

Pedestrianisation trends in Lewisham 

Cold Blow Lane joins a handful of other streets across Lewisham that have been pedestrianised in recent years. Coulgate Street by Brockley station has turned into a lively square, with multiple cafes and restaurants providing outdoor seating and a garden maintained by volunteers.

The section of Rolt Street that borders Folkestone Gardens no longer allows vehicular traffic. Rolt Street links to Woodpecker Road, a pedestrian path which connects that park and Fordham, with a few shops, a nursery, and youth centre, along with lots of housing, lining both sides of the path.

In New Cross, Douglas Way stretches between Waldron Health Centre and the Albany with the Deptford market utilising the space three days a week. 

Deptford High Street was poised to join the trend, but after years of consultation, a a polarising anti-pedestrianisation campaign forced a U-turn from Lewisham Council.

Road safety and community safety

Those streets all benefit from being near businesses or homes, increasing the ‘eyes on the street’ premise which posits that watched spaces feel safer.

Though there are intentions to link Cold Blow Lane into a cycleway scheme, it may suffer from the same problems as the C10 route behind Millwall Stadium, which became a hotspot for muggings.

London Cycling Campaign has noted that unlit and isolated routes create a feeling of lack of safety, which can be a barrier for female cyclists especially. 

“With community safety and a recent spate of bike thefts a concern for local residents, it's also important that the council ensures the tunnel is safe to travel through with good lighting," Shrivastava said.

"The scheme should be seen as part of a package of measures to improve safety and air quality in New Cross Gate and the borough as a whole.”

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The community campaign to close the lane was led largely by local parents, who previously feared for their children’s safety during the school run.

Toraldo said: “It’s great that I can run through the road and feel safe. I used to go through with anxiety, is a car going to run me over? Can they see me if it’s so dark? It was a nightmare.

"Finally, now, we go through and it’s safe. The more people that start to use it the better.”

He uses the tunnel every weekend with his family to get to activities in Greenwich, and noted that they are a car free family.

Cleaner air

In addition to reducing dangers of a child being hit by a motor vehicle, a prime motive for campaigners was their children's health.

Advocacy group Mums for Lungs notes that, “There are clear links between air pollution and almost every organ in the body, leading to health conditions including heart and lung disease, asthma and COPD, dementia, miscarriage, stunted lung growth in children, teenage psychotic episodes, and reduced cognitive ability.”

The group notes that road transport is responsible for half of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) emissions. It is also largest single source of dangerous particulates PM2.5.  London is still regularly exceeding WHO limits of both pollutants.

Campaigners felt it was especially important to create a safe route as part of the school run that would decrease exposure to these emissions and their long term effects.

Fundraising for a mural

In addition to the infrastructure-oriented improvements, campaigners are seeking funding for a mural.

They are currently fundraising jointly with local Community Interest Company ArtMongers to paint a mural in the longer tunnel section, and have secured a community fund grant of £2,490 from South East London Combined Heat and Power (SELCHP), the nearby incinerator which is operated by French waste giant Veolia.

They hope to raise nearly £20,000 to finance the project.  

ArtMongers aims to “create artworks that genuinely improve public spaces and give local people a sense of pride and ownership.”

The company has many murals in the area, including one towards the entrance of Fordham Park. They have experience of pedestrian tunnels, having painted one in Lewisham which resembles walking through a fish bowl. 

It would be fitting for more artwork to be added in this neighbourhood. The tunnel ends at Sanford Street where the long-standing Sanford housing co-op has a remarkable mural by artist Brian Barnes, featuring world leaders riding missiles around a globe. 

Going forward

Campaigners encourage people to respond to their survey, and invite anyone who wants to be involved in the project to get in touch.

“We’re just residents and neighbours, we’re not experts, we’re not officials, we’re just trying to do something good for the community," said Toraldo.

"We all have full time jobs in different sectors. We would like this to be a happy moment for the community, and an opportunity for the community to come together. It’s important that we all learn to listen and come together.”

To get involved with the Cold Blow Lane project, complete the community survey.

Updated on 14/3/26 at 17.54 to correct the funder of the grant for the mural - SELCHP - and to correct Louise Krupski's council role.