Politics
Lambeth's New Business Levy Could Transform Brixton Transport
The proposed levy on larger commercial properties in Lambeth would generate funds for Brixton bus and cycle routes, altering costs for local traders and travel times for residents who rely on those services.
How we reported this
Voters across Brixton face a ballot measure on 15 September that would introduce a 1.5 per cent supplement on business rates for properties valued above £500,000. The measure targets larger retail units along Brixton Road and Atlantic Road, with revenue directed to bus priority lanes and new cycle storage at Brixton station. Shop owners operating from those sites would pay the extra charge while households using the improved routes would see shorter journey times to central London.
Why the vote arrives now
Lambeth Council recorded a £2.8 million shortfall in its 2025-26 transport maintenance budget, according to the authority’s published accounts. National changes to business rates relief that took effect in April 2026 reduced the council’s discretionary funds by a further 8 per cent. The referendum therefore offers residents a direct choice on whether to shift part of the funding burden onto qualifying commercial premises rather than drawing from existing council tax.
Residents living in social housing estates near Brixton Market would gain from faster buses on the A23 corridor, cutting average commute times by an estimated seven minutes each way. Independent traders inside smaller units below the £500,000 threshold would avoid the levy entirely, preserving their current overheads. Larger chain stores and property owners above the threshold would face annual bills rising by between £4,200 and £11,000 depending on rateable value.
Policy analysts note that the legislation requires the supplement to be spent only on transport projects listed in the council’s 2026 infrastructure plan. No portion can be redirected to general revenue or other services. Local advocates point out that the measure excludes residential properties and small business premises, limiting the direct cost to a defined group of ratepayers.
Next steps after the vote
If approved, the supplement would begin collection in April 2027 and run for five years, with annual reporting to the council’s overview and scrutiny committee. Should the measure fail, the listed transport schemes would require alternative funding from the existing capital programme or external grants. Turnout in Brixton wards during the last local referendum in 2021 reached 34 per cent, providing a benchmark for participation this September.