The policy of lighting alternate stretches on opposite sides of the road is not new - Mayow Road has it already, with the old sodium lights. But because the old lights are more diffuse it feels (to me) that the light spreads further so the effect is less noticeable.

I don't know whether it is Lewisham 'policy' as such. I assume that it is decided by the lighting engineers.

As can be seen from these posts, some people like the new lights, some don't. I don't like the new lights on Sunderland Road at all, but at least two people here disagree with me. So it is in some ways subjective. It may also depend on whether you are walking or driving. I only ever drive on Sunderland Road and Church Rise, and don't like the new lights there. By contrast, I have walked along some side roads off Mayow Road in the dark and those with new lights feel very safe, with no dark spots.