Key Points
- Labour-run Lewisham Council faces accusations of installing poorly designed speed bumps in the affluent Blackheath area, specifically on Lee Terrace and Belmont Hill.
- Residents claim the bumps disproportionately damage high-performance and luxury vehicles, such as Mercedes, Audi, Ferrari, and Tesla models.
- Architect Andrew Thorp, 59, conducted a survey after his Mercedes C-Class suffered significant undercarriage damage from scraping the bumps multiple times.
- Thorp described the bumps as “socialist speed bumps,” noting residents pay council tax for them yet incur repair costs.
- Steve Emmott, 67, reported needing to crawl at 3-5 mph in his Ferrari to avoid underside damage, unable to straddle the humps safely.
- Thorp’s engineering survey allegedly found 12 out of 15 bumps exceeded the council’s 80mm height limit, with five measuring 100-105mm.
- Lewisham Council disputes the claims, stating the bumps comply with national regulations and were installed months ago to enforce new 20mph speed limits.
- Lewisham Cyclists have complained, warning that frustrated motorists may cut in front of cyclists, creating severe safety risks for riders and passers-by.
- The story was first reported by Frankie Hills, highlighting residents’ frustrations in the upmarket area.
Blackheath, London (as reported in multiple outlets) January 15, 2026 – Labour-run Lewisham Council stands accused of installing so-called “socialist speed bumps” that are damaging luxury cars in the affluent Blackheath neighbourhood, sparking outrage among residents and even cyclists. Architect Andrew Thorp, 59, led a resident survey revealing multiple bumps exceed council height standards, while the authority insists all measures meet national guidelines for new 20mph zones. Complaints extend beyond motorists, with local cycling groups raising safety fears over potential driver retaliation.
Who accused Lewisham Council of installing ‘socialist speed bumps’?
Residents in Blackheath, particularly those driving high-end vehicles, have labelled the speed bumps “socialist speed bumps” due to their perceived bias against expensive cars. As reported by Frankie Hills in the initial coverage, architect Andrew Thorp, 59, coined the term after his Mercedes C-Class repeatedly scraped the newly refurbished bumps on Lee Terrace and Belmont Hill.
“We are paying for the bumps with our council tax, and then paying for the damage to our cars. It’s as if they are socialist speed bumps,”
Thorp told the Telegraph newspaper. He conducted a special commissioned engineering survey following the damage to his vehicle.
Thorp’s survey, as detailed in the Telegraph report, examined 15 speed bumps and found 12 exceeded Lewisham Council’s own 80mm height limit. Five of these were measured between 100mm and 105mm, far above the standard, predisposing them to undercarriage damage on luxury models. Thorp noted that exclusively more expensive vehicles such as Audi, Mercedes, and Teslas were disproportionately affected, while standard cars navigated them with less issue. This disparity, according to Thorp, underscores a design flaw punishing higher-rate council tax payers in the upmarket area.
What damage have residents reported from the speed bumps?
Significant undercarriage damage to high-performance and luxury cars forms the core of residents’ complaints. Andrew Thorp, 59, suffered repeated scraping on his Mercedes C-Class, prompting his survey, as first reported by Frankie Hills. The architect emphasised the financial burden: residents fund the bumps via council tax yet face repair bills. Steve Emmott, 67, described a similar ordeal with his Ferrari, stating he must slow to a crawl along the street. “If I try to straddle them, I will take the underside of my car out,” Emmott stated, forcing him to drive at 3-5 miles per hour before each hump.
These accounts, covered across outlets referencing the Telegraph, highlight how the bumps’ height and angle catch low-slung vehicles. Thorp’s engineering survey corroborated this, identifying non-compliance in most bumps. No specific repair costs were quantified in statements, but the pattern affects owners of premium brands, amplifying perceptions of unfair targeting in Blackheath’s wealthy enclaves.
How did Andrew Thorp conduct his survey on the speed bumps?
Andrew Thorp, 59, initiated a “commissioned engineering survey” after personal damage to his Mercedes C-Class on Lee Terrace and Belmont Hill. As reported by Frankie Hills, Thorp surveyed 15 speed bumps, finding 12 out of 15 exceeded Lewisham Council’s 80mm height limit. The survey detailed five bumps at 100-105mm, well above standard, as Thorp relayed to the Telegraph. This independent assessment, prompted by multiple scraping incidents, aimed to quantify design flaws disproportionately impacting luxury cars like Audi, Mercedes, and Teslas.
Thorp’s methodology involved precise measurements, though full technical details remain unpublished beyond his statements. The findings, as attributed in the coverage, underpin resident demands for corrections.
What is Lewisham Council’s response to the accusations?
Lewisham Council has firmly disputed the claims, asserting all speed bumps comply with national regulations. In response to Thorp’s survey, the Labour-run authority stated the changes were implemented several months ago to enforce new 20mph speed limits in the area. No specific council spokesperson was named in initial reports, but the official position rejects height exceedances. The bumps, recently refurbished, form part of broader traffic calming for pedestrian safety.
The council’s stance, as covered by Frankie Hills, emphasises regulatory adherence over resident measurements. No further concessions or inspections were announced in available statements.
Why are cyclists also complaining about the speed bumps?
Lewisham Cyclists have voiced discontent, warning of unintended safety risks beyond motorists. The group cautioned that frustrated drivers may cut in front of riders to bypass the bumps, endangering cyclists and passers-by. This concern, noted in coverage following Frankie Hills’ report, highlights how the measures could provoke reckless overtaking in narrow Blackheath streets like Lee Terrace and Belmont Hill.
No direct quotes from named cyclists were provided, but the organisation’s statement underscores broader community impacts. Cyclists argue the bumps, while slowing cars, heighten collision risks for vulnerable road users.
Where exactly are the controversial speed bumps located?
The speed bumps are situated on Lee Terrace and Belmont Hill in Blackheath, an upmarket South London area under Lewisham Council jurisdiction. These recently refurbished humps target enforcement of 20mph limits. Residents like Andrew Thorp and Steve Emmott reported issues specifically here, with Thorp’s survey focusing on 15 bumps across these sites.
Blackheath’s affluent status amplifies the backlash, as higher vehicles predominate.
When were the speed bumps installed or refurbished?
The council implemented changes several months ago, tying them to new 20mph zones, as per their dispute of claims. Frankie Hills’ reporting specifies “newly refurbished” bumps, aligning with recent activity before January 2026 complaints. Exact dates remain unstated, but the timeline precedes Thorp’s survey.
Are the speed bumps compliant with regulations?
Lewisham Council maintains full compliance with national standards, countering Thorp’s survey findings. The 80mm limit cited by Thorp is council-specific, but national rules permit variations for efficacy. No independent verification beyond Thorp’s engineering assessment or council rebuttal has emerged.
What types of cars are most affected by the bumps?
High-performance and luxury models bear the brunt: Mercedes C-Class (Andrew Thorp), Ferrari (Steve Emmott), Audi, Mercedes, and Teslas (per Thorp’s observations). These low-clearance vehicles scrape at normal speeds, unlike standard cars. Thorp’s survey linked damage to heights of 100-105mm.
How has the ‘socialist speed bumps’ label emerged?
Andrew Thorp, 59, introduced the phrase “socialist speed bumps” in his Telegraph interview, as reported by Frankie Hills. It reflects irony: council tax-funded bumps damaging cars of wealthier residents in Labour-run Lewisham. Steve Emmott’s crawl-at-3-5mph account reinforces the punitive perception.
What next steps do residents want from the council?
Residents, led by Thorp, imply redesign or removal, given tax-funded damage. No formal petition is mentioned, but complaints demand compliance with the 80mm standard. Cyclists seek mitigations against driver risks.
This controversy encapsulates tensions between traffic safety and resident convenience in Blackheath. Lewisham Council’s 20mph push continues amid disputes, with no resolution announced. Coverage remains centred on Frankie Hills’ initial reporting, amplified across outlets.
