Motorists are set to face long delays on a major road in south London from next month as huge works are set to begin.
The A23 in Streatham Hill, south London, is going to have a £9.5 million refurbishment, which will see pedestrian crossings built, a protected cycle lane added and bus lanes improved.
The improvements will see the old central reservation removed across the 0.6-mile stretch between the junctions of Holmewood Road on Brixton Hill and Sternhold Avenue junction on Streatham Hill.
Transport for London said the upgrade will make the busy route safer and easier for walking, cyclists, pram and wheelchair users.
But motorists and residents have been warned by the local council that they could face delays from Monday, August 4.
This means that traffic will be restricted to fewer lanes in both directions from that day, which is expected to cause ‘significant delays’ in the area, TfL warned.
It added that some local works on the new road layout will start from next week, but this is not expected to affect traffic.
During the project, parking along the A23 will be suspended, and bus stops will be out of action.
The works are set to finish in spring 2027.
While the renovation has been designed to cause as little disruption as possible for residents and businesses, campaigners said they are concerned for businesses, bus journeys and traffic delays during the works.
Neil Salt, a resident and chairman of Streatham Action, told Metro: ‘We are very concerned for Streatham businesses. They are going to be heavily affected by this.
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‘We can’t lose any more of them.’
He told Metro businesses that can show evidence of a detrimental impact by the works might be able to claim compensation, but added he hopes the small businesses don’t suffer.
Neil said the road has a history of being dangerous, however there were no fatalities between 2014 and 2024.
Official collision data shows that the road, which is the second longest in Europe, recorded 72 crashes over three years from October 2021 to October 2024, leaving 71 injured.
Neil added this demonstrates the safety record is not good.
He explained some of the issues on the road currently: ‘We have always had problems through central Streatham because the road narrows through it.
‘It has a motorway-like feel on top of Brixton Hill, which encourages people to put their foot down, but when you travel down, the road narrows past the Odeon cinema.’
‘People have been attempting to cross, endangering their lives if trying to cross to a central reservation, and then we have a bus station and stops on either side and people getting in and out of side roads,’ he added.
Crashes on Streatham Hill A23
The stretch of Streatham Hill being transformed has a history of crashes, including fatalities.
A cyclist was killed after a crash with a TfL bus on December 14 last year.
A bus passenger died near Streatham Bus Station in June 2021 after being knocked over.
In December 2007, a 41-year-old woman was killed after a lorry ploughed into her bike at the junction of Streatham Hill and A205, which is a hotspot for collisions.
There have been 33 collisions involving a cyclist at or near this junction alone, data from the CycleStreet network shows.
Along the fatal 2007 crash, there have been three serious injury crashes and 29 minor injury collisions at the A205 junction.
Streatham Hill further south has seen at least six serious cyclist crashes and 40 slight injury crashes in the last two decades.
He has urged TfL and Lambeth Council to be flexible and willing to listen during the works when there is huge congestion, especially in the spring and summer next year when there will only be one lane through Streatham.
‘Flexibility has to be the name of the game during the works, because people are going to be affected,’ Neil added.
Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, a:dded ‘I’m delighted TfL is working in close partnership with Lambeth Council to transform travel in Streatham Hill, to deliver new pedestrian crossings, a protected cycling route and improved bus lanes.
‘The start of construction work follows an overwhelmingly positive response to TfL’s consultation on their plans with so many respondents saying the new improvements to pedestrian crossings, pavements, bus lanes and a protected cycling route will make them feel safer on bike and on foot.
‘The new scheme will better connect communities to transport hubs, schools, green space and each other, building a better London for everyone.’
Rezina Chowdhury, the deputy leader of Lambeth Council, said she welcomed TfL’s efforts to minimise the impact on the area during the construction of this major scheme.
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