TfL is planning for the realignment of the South Circular but have had “resourcing issues”, a council boss says.

Plans to move the South Circular to open up land for development were approved by the mayor and cabinet in 2017, and have been matched up with the Catford town centre masterplan.

The road will be moved to the south of Laurence House on Catford Road.

The gyratory will also be removed to create a simpler road layout at the junction of the A21 and A205. The works will take place in 2020 and 2021.

Speaking at a sustainable development select committee, Sarah Walsh, Lewisham Council regeneration and urban design programme manager, said early models for the scheme were being developed.

They include the maximum amount of cycling facilities, and plans to widen pavements at narrow crossing points. 

But while there were funding issues, the committee heard the realignment was a priority for TfL.

“They [TfL] are planning for it now,” Lewisham Council director of regeneration, Kevin Sheehan, said.

“It is just a question of the timing and getting it right. There are some resourcing issues but they are not problematic.”

Tony Piggott, Lewisham Council development advisor, said: “TfL have got resourcing issues full stop.”

The plans are expected to go before the mayor and cabinet in October.

The authority was awarded £20million by the Government to build new homes in Catford and Lewisham town centres in 2018. The money will also go towards moving the South Circular.

Catford town centre regeneration plans include developing Millford Towers, redeveloping the Catford Greyhound Stadium site into 589 new homes with commercial floor space and a community centre, a Catford Broadway pedestrian zone and a new route for the South Circular.