(i) increased use of Manor Mount & Davids Rd as a 'rat run' to cut-out the London Rd traffic lights, causing both environmental and safety problems for residents and access difficulties for ambulances and Sainsbury's lorries. (There was a big debate about traffic-calming measures such as sleeping policemen but these were opposed by London Ambulance and Sainsbury's.)
(ii) the designation of the London Rd stretch of the S Circular as a Red Route. That designation automatically affects roads 'off' and led to the yellow-lining of Waldenshaw, Manor Mount & Davids Rd and, later, after a consultation exercise, the introduction of a Controlled Parking Zone and resident's scheme.
(iii) The major re-vamp of Sainsbury's - one stated objective of which was to enable the larger lorries servicing their 'superstores' at Bell Green and Dulwich to make deliveries at Forest Hill also. (There was even a threat to pull-out of Forest Hill if they didn't get their way and I remember that people were very concerned, back then, at the impact this would have on the SE23 economy - not least because Sainsbury's then owned the leases of a number of other shops in London Road so could effectively 'close the High St'.)
I think I've got these three things in the right order but could be wrong. I have to say that the current arrangement - though far from perfect - works much better than the old 'free for all' and seems to me preferable to any of the other solutions offered over the years. And solutions aplenty have been offered! I remember our MP, Jim Dowd, coming-up with what he thought was a modest improvement on what we have now; as he said, he was 'only trying to help' but he was howled-down on all sides and beat a hasty retreat! I don't often feel sorry for politicians but this was an exception.