Streatham Common is our wonderful piece of open green space in our built up City. The space is used for many things, celebrating, relaxing, sports, nature, walking, or just sitting and thinking. Given we all use our space in different ways – please be aware of basic rules that are in place [Lambeth Council byelaws], so that all users can enjoy.
TAKE ALL RUBBISH HOME WITH YOU
Although we have some litter bins in place, the cuts to our budget mean the Common is overwhelmed with rubbish on sunny days. Please clear up your picnic after you, bring home and recycle. Bagging up rubbish and leaving next to bins is unhelpful as foxes & other wildlife shred bags overnight. If the bin is full – take it home. None of the litter collections are recycled. Broken glass is of particular concern to all users of the common.
The cost of clearing up litter means budgets [government spending forced a 70% reduction for the Common] are diverted away from maintaining other parts of the common, including the playground. We are all responsible for our own waste, it is not fair or sustainable to simply say it is someones else’s job. To continue enjoying the beautiful space of the Common – it is every persons responsibility to leave no trace.
NO BBQ’S, NO FIRES
The heat from small portable BBQs and fires scorch and destroy the grassland and are banned. The common is a nature reserve and any introduction of fire is devastating to our small but delicate flora & fauna that is dotted around the common. Many insects and birds relay on how our environment is maintained. The fire brigade may be called to put out your BBQ.
[Ref Bylaw 10. (1 & 2 )]
NO LOUDHAILERS OR AMPLIFIED MUSIC [freestanding speakers]
There has been an increase in groups using loudhailers to assist with sports events and group gatherings. We encourage people joining together to enjoy the outdoors, but using loudhailers to co-ordinate party games or unauthorised sports events is not allowed. The sound carries over the entire common, disturbing everyone in earshot. Playing loud music from either mobile speakers or from parked cars on the Common. With regard to Excessive noise, the byelaws specify –
No person shall, after being requested to desist by any other person in the grounds:
(a) by shouting or singing;
(b) by playing on a musical instrument; or (c) by operating or permitting to be operated any radio, amplifier, tape recorder or similar device, make or permit to be made any noise which is so loud or so continuous or repeated as to give reasonable cause for annoyance to other persons in the ground.
[ ref bylaw 39. (1) ]
DRONES
These are NOT allowed on any Lambeth greenspace. It is illegal to fly your drone over a congested area, never fly within 50 metres of a person, vehicle or building not under your control. Drones must be registered and can be seized by the police. Respect your neighbours right to peace & privacy. [cap 393; the air navigation order 2016 (ano)]
MOTORISED VEHICLES
Cars Motorbikes and Quad bikes are NOT permitted anywhere on the Common unless permission given. They cause damage and are not allowed anywhere on the grass.
This also includes vehicles selling goods or services – including Ice cream vans [Only permitted to sell by the playground, on the pavement and nowhere else on the Common] [ Bylaw 16]
NO METAL DETECTORS
Damage to the common will not be tolerated. [ Ref Bylaws 4 & 43 ]
DOGS
Very welcome, but owners must by law pick up after their dogs and dispose in bins. Not picking up your dogs poop can land you a FPN OF £100 in the LB of Lambeth.
Please keep your dog on a lead if you are unable to control by commands. If another dog owner asks you to pull your dog away – it is considered respectful to do so.
DRUGS
As everywhere else in the UK, the use of drug taking on the Common is against the law. An increased use of balloons and Nitrous Oxide [laughing gas] has been particularly noticeable due to the huge amount of debris left behind. The leftover capsules if not disposed of responsibly are very dangerous to children and pets who can bite or swallow them. Possesion of Nitrous oxide has an FPN OF £100 in the LB of Lambeth. [Ref Lambeth PSPO]
The full PDF from Lambeth council on Byelaws can be found here: lsp-parks-open-spaces-byelaws(1)
PARKING
There is a small car park at the top of Streatham Common South -SW16 3HR. Street parking is difficult on weekdays and weekends when the weather is good.
New restrictions have been introduced on Streatham Common South and surrounding roads – Double yellow lines mean no parking at any time. Streatham High Street has no parking, and Streatham Common North has virtually no parking areas as it is also a busy road. Thankfully there are great transport links to the Common.
GETTING HERE: Google map
Bus services are regular and stop directly outside Streatham Common
50 – Croydon – Streatham – Clapham – Stockwell
60 – Old Coulsdon – Purley – Croydon – Streatham
109 – Croydon – Streatham – Brixton
118 – Brixton – Streatham – Morden
249 – Clapham Common – Norwood – Anerley
250 – Brixton – Streatham – Norbury – Thornton Heath Pond – West Croydon – Croydon Town Centre
255 – Pollards Hill – Norbury – Streatham Common – Balham
417 – Crystal Palace – Streatham – Clapham Common
G1 – Streatham – Tooting – Battersea
N109 – Croydon – Streatham – Oxford Circus
N133 – Morden – Streatham – Liverpool Street
N137 – Crystal Palace – Clapham – Oxford Circus
The 133 & 333 terminate a little walk away at Streatham Bus Garage
Overland train stations serving the Common are:
Streatham Common
Streatham
– both are about a 12 minute walk to the Common.
A walk around the Common, led by Dr Iain Boulton of Lambeth Council, who will point out key features of, and facts about, the different tree species that can be found in the area.
This year’s survey proved that 14 of the 35 bird boxes around the Common were occupied, which is one of the best year’s yet. Of these, 13 were occupied by blue tits and one by great tits. 