Plumstead underpass work between homes and station to start next week

Changes to a run-down underpass in Plumstead linking almost 2,300 new homes to Plumstead station are set to begin next week.

Funding for improvements was given nine years ago with a requirement changes be ready when residents move in the first of 1,913 homes at Lombard Square. 

See below for a video taken showing the underpass link between new homes and the station.

Greenwich Council ran a consultation on changes back in 2023. There’s no images or much in the way of details now offered by Greenwich council on what they’ve chosen or changed since.

There’s also conspicuous absence within Greenwich’s news story on improving the area outside Plumstead station as well as improving narrow pavements located above the underpass beside the one-way system.

Those were featured in a 2023 consultation but absent in a 2024 report.

Neglected

This particular area and underpass has long been run down and neglected. When major developments including the 1,913-home Lombard Square were first proposed nearby it was suggested the one-way system could be altered to two-way traffic alongside wider pavements for those seeking to avoid the underpass.

No changes to the one-way system ended up happening so the three-lane gyratory remains. Narrow paving alongside near Plumstead station and bus stops looks set to mostly stay.

It remains to be seen whether the underpass will be heavily used as even after work is completed, it’ll still be more secluded than walking above on narrow pavements alongside heavy traffic.

The old issue of maintenance also rears its head.

The underpass sees signage regularly unreadable, lighting not fixed for long periods while previous artwork and murals installed are hardly visible due to lack of maintenance.

It’s all so scruffy. Will it be any better when work completes – at least after a few months?

The consultation included things that seemed laughable like cycle parking underneath. Who would leave a bike there?

Areas will be fenced off while the council states new “plants, grass, flowers, and trees” will be installed. Let’s see how long that lasts.

Yes it’s cynical but having used this area for years it’s hard to believe Greenwich have any intention – or capability – to look after it. Measures that could have really changed the area, benefitting residents both existing and new, were ditched early on and filed into the “too difficult” box.

There’s also current cuts to the street cleaning and maintenance budget to consider.

Funding

Back in 2024 it was noted that eight years had passed by that time and that “public realm improvements must be completed before the occupation of phase one of the Griffin Manor Way/Pettman Crescent development, currently scheduled for October 2025, and that failure to deliver by this point would necessitate the return of the external funding.”

Funding isn’t coming from Greenwich (perhaps unsurprisingly given their lack of interest in better streets and public space) but from the Good Growth Fund.

Earlier plans also included improvements around Plumstead station which looked very welcome but whether the budget stretches that far after nine years remains to be seen.

While work is underway the underpass will be closed for four months.

The fundamental question remains as to whether the underpass will ever be appealing to many when the above-ground route exists – even if it is poor with narrow paving alongside a three-lane road. While pretty crap, that’ll still be seen by many as better than the secluded route below ground.

And while new paint and tiles may help give a visual improvement below ground in the short term, if the space is simply ignored again as before then no, people won’t use it.

Meaning the main problem will still need addressing improving the above-ground link between many new homes and Plumstead station, numerous bus routes, shops and amenities.