Time restrictions will prevent Bexley Council from undertaking public consultation on the first stage of major plans to make the borough more cycling and pedestrian-friendly, the authority has said.

The council said it would proceed with moves to implement the Mayor of London’s Streetspace initiative – which could see new bike lanes and wider footpaths implemented in town centres and busy streets across the borough – using previous research compiled by the authority.

The council confirmed it would look for public feedback when additional funding became available, but would forge ahead with its own plans for the first tranche.

“Because the issue is urgent we are using evidence from our town centres and other locations to help us prioritise measures,” the authority said.

“The first tranche will be carefully targeted to ensure the best possible use of the available funds.”

“We would be happy to receive ideas for additional Streetspace plans from local people when further funding becomes available.”

The plans come from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s push to “overhaul” London’s streets for when the coronavirus lockdown eases, as social distancing measures become the norm.

It’s unclear yet how much funding Bexley will receive for their works, with authorities expected to lobby Transport for London for grants.

Neighbouring boroughs Greenwich and Bromley are both at differing stages with the implementation of the new initiatives.

Greenwich has already implemented various sections of its Streetspace plan after taking ideas from residents, while Bromley was due on Monday to vote on a strategy which would see 180 changes to streets and town centres across the borough.

The Streetspace initiative comes as the Mayor’s Office and Transport for London brace for a mass change in commuters’ habits post-lockdown.

“With London’s public transport capacity potentially running at a fifth of pre-crisis levels, millions of journeys a day will need to be made by other means. If people switch only a fraction of these journeys to cars, London risks grinding to a halt, air quality will worsen, and road danger will increase,” the Mayor’s office said in a statement when the scheme was announced.

“To prevent this happening, TfL will rapidly re-purpose London’s streets to serve this unprecedented demand for walking and cycling in a major new strategic shift.”

The Mayor’s Office also pledged “clean, green and sustainable travel” would be at the “heart” of London’s recovery.