Liveable Streets Bethnal Green

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UPDATE: Most of the Bethnal Green scheme has been implemented and the area has seen a significant reduction in traffic. There are however increases in traffic where approved closures have been paused and concerns have been raised from residents regarding severance, particularly for north south journeys.

We are therefore undertaking a review to be concluded in November and are speaking to residents, businesses and the emergency services to assess the impact of the scheme and see how we can make amendments to address concerns, whilst retaining the benefits of reduced traffic secured by the scheme.

Key areas of focus are:

  • Emergency service access throughout the area
  • Warner Place/Squirries Street
  • The closures at Pollard Row, Barnet Grove, Old Nicole Street
  • Ropley Street
  • Arnold Circus

Liveable Streets is a multi-million-pound borough-wide street and public space improvement programme. It aims to improve the look and feel of public spaces in neighbourhoods across the borough and make it easier, safer, and more convenient to get around by foot, bike and public transport.

Following two years of community outreach and engagement, we have begun construction on some works and will continue to review and discuss the impact of any changes with residents, businesses and schools. Please refer to the document section on the right side of the page (bottom of page on mobile browsers) to find out more about the previous stages of the Liveable Streets Bethnal Green programme and engagement activities. You can also view our equalities impact assessment for this project.

Construction phases

Here is a map summarising changes to the road layout across the Bethnal Green area. Full details of current and upcoming works will be detailed below.

Information about completed works can be found in the Documents tab at the right of the screen (or at the bottom on mobile browsers).

Construction updates

Upcoming works

We would like to thank residents and local stakeholders who have reached out to us and shared support for the scheme, concerns and changes you would like to see included in the project. We have listened to your requests for further works, concerns on traffic displacement and issues for access.

Barnet Grove junction with Wellington Row

The original design for the Barnet Grove area included a lockable bollard at the junction of Barnet Grove and Wellington Row. This was agreed in discussions with the emergency services who, it was planned, would primarily access the area by Wellington Row via the Gosset Street/Columbia Road junction which will be camera enforced.

Following continued discussions with stakeholders, this closure will now be enforced by a camera. In addition, we have realigned the planters, suspended parking bays and made the street two-way to further improve emergency access. These changes will ensure that emergency services can travel in both directions on Barnet Grove, which was not possible before Liveable Streets.

The closure will be monitored by automatic number-plate recognition (ANPR) cameras and scheduled to be installed in the coming days. The registered owner of any non-emergency vehicle driving through this junction will be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN). Vehicles can continue to access Columbia Road via Shipton Street and Horatio Street or Ravenscroft Street at all times.

Columbia Road

Works to widen pavements, plant trees and introduce a new crossing near the entrance to Ravenscroft Park from the new public space at Gosset Street are being finalised. A commencement letter was sent to all surrounding properties prior to the commencement of work including a plan of the proposal.

Ravenscroft Street

  • As part of the scheme, the section of Ravenscroft Street between Columbia Road and Ezra Street will become one-way northbound. This will reduce the number of motor vehicles rat-running from Hackney Road and reduce vehicle movements outside the school.
  • A part of the one way pavement outside the school gates will be widened and an improved informal crossing provided to access the park.

Ropley Street

We will be writing to residents and traders next month as part of the public consultation to obtain feedback on the design of this scheme. This scheme was presented by residents through their feedback received in the 2019 consultation for the Bethnal Green. The aim would be to reduce through-traffic in Columbia Road which generates additional noise, pollution and road safety concerns near the junction and outside local schools.

We will continue to monitor the impact of all changes to ensure they make the neighbourhood safer and more pleasant for residents and visitors. We will continue to work closely with the Emergency Services to achieve the positive objectives of the programme and designs that ensure they can continue to meet their response times.

Coronavirus updates

Work will continue as planned on the projects and the team will adhere to all guidelines.

Please note construction timing is subject to change depending on changes to restrictions, supply chain, weather and coordination of works in the area. We will update the website with any changes to the programme and hope you will continue to help us improve the look and feel of your neighbourhood.

Contact us

If you have any questions regarding the construction phase please see below, or get in touch with the team by emailing liveablestreets@towerhamlets.gov.uk or calling 0203 092 0401.

To receive project updates, please join our mailing list by clicking here.

UPDATE: Most of the Bethnal Green scheme has been implemented and the area has seen a significant reduction in traffic. There are however increases in traffic where approved closures have been paused and concerns have been raised from residents regarding severance, particularly for north south journeys.

We are therefore undertaking a review to be concluded in November and are speaking to residents, businesses and the emergency services to assess the impact of the scheme and see how we can make amendments to address concerns, whilst retaining the benefits of reduced traffic secured by the scheme.

Key areas of focus are:

  • Emergency service access throughout the area
  • Warner Place/Squirries Street
  • The closures at Pollard Row, Barnet Grove, Old Nicole Street
  • Ropley Street
  • Arnold Circus

Liveable Streets is a multi-million-pound borough-wide street and public space improvement programme. It aims to improve the look and feel of public spaces in neighbourhoods across the borough and make it easier, safer, and more convenient to get around by foot, bike and public transport.

Following two years of community outreach and engagement, we have begun construction on some works and will continue to review and discuss the impact of any changes with residents, businesses and schools. Please refer to the document section on the right side of the page (bottom of page on mobile browsers) to find out more about the previous stages of the Liveable Streets Bethnal Green programme and engagement activities. You can also view our equalities impact assessment for this project.

Construction phases

Here is a map summarising changes to the road layout across the Bethnal Green area. Full details of current and upcoming works will be detailed below.

Information about completed works can be found in the Documents tab at the right of the screen (or at the bottom on mobile browsers).

Construction updates

Upcoming works

We would like to thank residents and local stakeholders who have reached out to us and shared support for the scheme, concerns and changes you would like to see included in the project. We have listened to your requests for further works, concerns on traffic displacement and issues for access.

Barnet Grove junction with Wellington Row

The original design for the Barnet Grove area included a lockable bollard at the junction of Barnet Grove and Wellington Row. This was agreed in discussions with the emergency services who, it was planned, would primarily access the area by Wellington Row via the Gosset Street/Columbia Road junction which will be camera enforced.

Following continued discussions with stakeholders, this closure will now be enforced by a camera. In addition, we have realigned the planters, suspended parking bays and made the street two-way to further improve emergency access. These changes will ensure that emergency services can travel in both directions on Barnet Grove, which was not possible before Liveable Streets.

The closure will be monitored by automatic number-plate recognition (ANPR) cameras and scheduled to be installed in the coming days. The registered owner of any non-emergency vehicle driving through this junction will be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN). Vehicles can continue to access Columbia Road via Shipton Street and Horatio Street or Ravenscroft Street at all times.

Columbia Road

Works to widen pavements, plant trees and introduce a new crossing near the entrance to Ravenscroft Park from the new public space at Gosset Street are being finalised. A commencement letter was sent to all surrounding properties prior to the commencement of work including a plan of the proposal.

Ravenscroft Street

  • As part of the scheme, the section of Ravenscroft Street between Columbia Road and Ezra Street will become one-way northbound. This will reduce the number of motor vehicles rat-running from Hackney Road and reduce vehicle movements outside the school.
  • A part of the one way pavement outside the school gates will be widened and an improved informal crossing provided to access the park.

Ropley Street

We will be writing to residents and traders next month as part of the public consultation to obtain feedback on the design of this scheme. This scheme was presented by residents through their feedback received in the 2019 consultation for the Bethnal Green. The aim would be to reduce through-traffic in Columbia Road which generates additional noise, pollution and road safety concerns near the junction and outside local schools.

We will continue to monitor the impact of all changes to ensure they make the neighbourhood safer and more pleasant for residents and visitors. We will continue to work closely with the Emergency Services to achieve the positive objectives of the programme and designs that ensure they can continue to meet their response times.

Coronavirus updates

Work will continue as planned on the projects and the team will adhere to all guidelines.

Please note construction timing is subject to change depending on changes to restrictions, supply chain, weather and coordination of works in the area. We will update the website with any changes to the programme and hope you will continue to help us improve the look and feel of your neighbourhood.

Contact us

If you have any questions regarding the construction phase please see below, or get in touch with the team by emailing liveablestreets@towerhamlets.gov.uk or calling 0203 092 0401.

To receive project updates, please join our mailing list by clicking here.

  • Ropley Street

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    Ropley Street Detailed Design

    The improvements to the Ropley Street area form a key part of the Liveable Streets programme and we want the public realm design to enhance the area as best as possible.

    As the final stages of the Ropley Street engagement process have taken place during the Covid-19 restrictions, engagement with residents in the area was held online via webinar.

    Thank you to all contributors for their ideas so far. As we are now reaching the end of the detailed design stage, we would like to hear from the wider community on the design proposal and tree/planting options.

    Based on community feedback so far, amendments to the detailed designs have been made and can be viewed below. The new proposed amendments to Ropley Street are as follows:

    • Closure of the low trafficked street at the southern end to create a safe and enjoyable public realm space for the community
    • A single space design approach in terms of materials proposed and placement of streetscape elements
    • New Street Trees
    • Space for community led planting
    • Cycle parking facilities including a cycle hanger
    • Rationalised motorbike parking
    • Access for emergency vehicles
    • Service access maintained.

    Detailed design plan of proposed Ropley Street closure

    Planting

    As part of the enhancements, new trees and plants will be introduced. From the below selection, please let us know your opinion on which planting options you would like taken forward.

    Tree planting optionsPerennial planting optionsShrub planting optionsBulb planting options

    Ground cover options

    Please select an image to show more planting options.

    Feedback

    We are keen to hear your ideas so please share your thoughts and preferences online using our feedback form or email the team at Liveablestreets@towerhamlets.gov.uk . Please give your email the subject heading ‘Ropley Street Ideas'.



  • Arnold Circus

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    Update: Arnold Circus Interim plans

    We had intended to begin works on the carriageway in late October, but in response to concerns raised in relation to some heritage aspects, we subsequently decided to pause further works in order to provide full reassurance in relation to this and some other issues raised by concerned residents.

    Interim Plans

    In light of discussions with resident groups and stakeholders, we are installing an interim scheme during w/c 14 December 2020 which will remain in place until the civil works begin in 2021. Please find this plan below.


    Plan showing the proposed works in the Arnold Circus areaProposed works to Arnold Circus. Please click the plan to download a larger version.



    Update: Preliminary Works in and around Arnold Circus

    Ahead of the initial ground work beginning on the 23rd October 2020, our contractors will be carrying a number of small scale works to enable safe vehicle movement around the new road layout.

    From 16th October to 20th October our contractor, JB Riney will be carrying out re-kerbing works on the junction of Navarre Street and Boundary Road. During this work, the original kerb stones and York stone paving will be taken out whilst the work is carried out, once the new kerb is in place all the original stones will be re-installed where possible.

    As part of our scheme we are keen to protect all of the historic paving that is in place around the circus. This preliminary work will be completed on 20th October ahead of the groundwork starting on 23rd October 2020.


    Following strong support for the changes in the public consultation, we have developed designs for the Bethnal Green scheme and in particular the pedestrianisation of Arnold Circus.

    As this process has been taking place during the Covid-19 restrictions, we have carried out an online co-design process with people in the area who highlighted in the public consultation their interest in being involved in the design of this new public realm scheme. The co-design workshops have brought residents, community groups, schools, project officers and local ward councillors together, sharing great ideas two very productive sessions.

    We would like to thank all contributors for their ideas so far and, as we are now reaching the final stages of the detailed design, we would like to get comments from the wider community on the proposals. You will find a video below with a short presentation from Gareth, the architect commissioned to design the space, outlining proposed features for the space.


    You can also download the presentation in a PDF.

    We are keen to hear your ideas on these plans, so please feel free to share your thoughts here or call 0203 092 0401 (weekdays 9am to 5pm).

Page last updated: 22 October 2021, 11:17