Lambeth council widened some pavements in the borough to allow more space for social distancing.  

The council is focusing on areas where people are finding it difficult to maintain a two-metre distance.  

The first pavements to be widened were by Half Moon Lane, beneath the railway track in Herne hill, and Coldharbour Lane, under the railway bridge at Loughborough Junction.  

The council also cut through-traffic from Cornwall Road in Waterloo. 

Cllr Claire Holland, deputy leader and cabinet member for sustainable transport, environment, and clean air said: “Coronavirus has dramatically changed the way people are using streets in Lambeth and beyond.  

“Many people are walking and cycling to make essential journeys or exercise, following the Mayor’s call to ensure public transport is used only by people who need it. 

“However, at the same time, we are facing a road danger with the Met recording speeds of up to 85mph in roads where people are having to walk or exercise to socially distance to reduce COVID-19 transmission.  

“That’s why we are taking urgent action to protect our residents. 

“We will be moving quickly and flexibly, and while there are clear challenges around funding and capacity due to the virus, we will be taking action where we know there are particular issues.” 

Lambeth said it is speeding up some sections of its transport strategy in response to the coronavirus outbreak.  

These include new restrictions in the neighbourhood around Fentiman Road in Oval and Stockwell and the Railton Road area between Brixton and Herne Hill, although they are yet to be finalised. 

The council also plans to make further changes to Cycleway 5 “to help key workers and others make essential journeys on foot and by bike to Guys and St Thomas’ Hospital, and beyond”.  

According to the council, the emergency changes will be followed by longer-term work to make routes to and from the borough’s town centres safer.