Labour U-turn on “Keir Starmer Lane” in win for Liberal Democrat campaign

Southwark Liberal Democrats have welcomed a long-overdue move by Labour-run Southwark Council to tackle dangerous U-turns on West Lane in Bermondsey. 

The council has confirmed it will consult this spring on changes to the road layout, including restoring the right-hand turn from Southwark Park Road towards Jamaica Road as part of broader proposed changes south of Jamaica Road. 

The issue has been a source of frustration for residents and businesses for years, with drivers regularly forced into risky maneuvers through residential streets. Liberal Democrat councillors have repeatedly raised concerns about safety and pushed for a common-sense solution. 

Local councillor Rachel Bentley previously dubbed the road “Keir Starmer Lane” because of the sheer volume of U-turns taking place every day. 

Liberal Democrats say the consultation represents a breakthrough, but warn it should not have taken years of campaigning to get the council to act – and say that further changes are needed to stop rat running north of Jamaica Road. 

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Councillor for North Bermondsey Cllr Rachel Bentley said: 

“Residents have been raising concerns about West Lane for years, and the council has dragged its feet at every stage – even saying at one stage that it “wasn’t a priority”. 

This consultation is welcome, but it is long overdue. It shows that when local people and Liberal Democrat councillors keep pushing, the council is eventually forced to listen. 

The priority now must be real changes on the ground that make this junction safer for everyone.”