Supporting you to walk and cycle during lockdown
As part of our response to the Coronavirus pandemic we are investigating and delivering a range of measures on our road network to respond to social distancing requirements, help people to use our streets more safely - particularly those walking and cycling, and further support and enable active travel in the short to medium term. We are working in partnership with TfL as part of the London Streetspace Programme and are continuously investigating new measures and looking at further funding sources to support this. This page will be updated regularly.
Footway Parking Suspensions
We have identified a number of areas where footway parking bays have been suspended to enable people to follow social distancing guidelines when using our high footfall areas.
Sites that have Footway Parking Suspensions:
High Road Leytonstone: Green Man roundabout to Cann Hall Road/Crownfield Road
Church Lane, Leytonstone
Queens Road
Wood Street
Cann Hall Road
Higham Hill Road
Palmerston Road
Hainault Road
Hoe Street
Temporary Footway widening
The council is investigating a range of other locations where footways could be temporary widened by reclaiming space from the carriageway.
Sites with localised pavement widening and parking/waiting/loading bays:
Higham Hill between Gloucester Road and Hetcham Place
James Lane between Hospital Road and Clare Road (side adjacent to Whipps Cross hospital)
Grove Green Road – between Rhodesia Road and Hampton Road
Strategic Cycle Network
Despite current uncertainty around future funding we are actively looking at where we can continue to expand our strategic cycle network in the short term, potentially using lower cost design approaches and materials.
Through two funding programmes (TfL’s Streetspace Programme and DfT Emergency Active Travel Fund – Tranche 1) we are able to begin work on the following schemes:
Please click the name of the scheme to read more information about how we are improving these sites
Low Traffic Streets
Prior to the pandemic we approved a number of Low Traffic Neighbourhood Schemes within the borough. We have been exploring options around how we can continue to deliver these schemes in light of funding uncertainties, including the use of alternative materials and lower cost approaches in the interim to deliver the key benefits to residents. Alongside this we are looking at a number of other roads and areas which could benefit from lower levels of traffic to help support social distancing and active travel. Funding for the following investigations and schemes has been confirmed, mainly through TfL’s London Streetspace Programme (LSP). Please click the name of the scheme to read more information about how we are improving these sites
Supporting local businesses
As lockdown eases and business across the borough re open, we are providing as much support to businesses as we can. In line with government guidelines and where possible, we are investigating how outdoor space on the public highway can be temporarily re-purposed for businesses to use for their customers. This includes allowing parts of the footway to be used by businesses, suspending parking bays, or even temporarily closing roads, to create more space for businesses to trade. We are also looking at where supporting measures, such as additional temporary cycle parking, can be installed. Each request is assessed on a case by case basis and any outdoor trading requires a license and public liability insurance.
We want to hear from you
To provide your suggestions on areas in the borough where you think we could investigate social distancing measures please visit: https://walthamforestcovidresponse.commonplace.is/
