Liveable Streets Bow

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UPDATE 20 November 2020: Bow Public Consultation Results Booklet published online

Over the last 18 months, the Liveable Streets team has worked with the Bow community to understand the improvements they would like to see in the area.

In July this year, the team shared the proposed plans and asked for public feedback via a public consultation. From more than 2,100 respondents in the consultation area, 70% supported the overall scheme.

Today, the results booklet has been published online, detailing the results of the consultation, the alternatives considered, and the recommendations to be presented to the Mayor and the Cabinet for a final decision on 25 November 2020.

You can view a copy of the Results Booklet here.

If you have any questions regarding Bow Liveable Streets please get in touch with the team by emailing liveablestreets@towerhamlets.gov.uk or calling 0203 092 0401 (weekdays, excluding public holidays, 9am - 5pm).


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.

We’ve listened to your concerns on issues including:

  • The volume and speed of vehicles in residential areas
  • Unfriendly pavements, public spaces and poor crossings for pedestrians
  • Hostile environments for cyclists, particularly for children

What is proposed and why are these proposals important?

Every day there are over 33,000 journeys within the Bow area. Of these, 49% are vehicles travelling through the area and not stopping. This means over 16,000 journeys are from non-residents of the local area and these vehicles are contributing to the already unacceptable levels of air pollution on your streets, outside your schools and around your local shops.

The Liveable Streets proposals will help improve road safety, public spaces, air quality and give the streets back to the residents. However to achieve this some local residents who want to drive may have to travel longer distances.

Seven main schemes have been developed to improve walking and cycling, create better public spaces, discourage through-traffic and improve air quality. We are proposing traffic changes and calming measures to make local streets safer for everyone. Pedestrian improvements, better street lighting, tree planting and cycling infrastructure are also considered.

Bow Consultation Proposals

Click below to view the Bow scheme area proposals.

If you have a question regarding the Bow proposals, you can ask on the below Q&A tool or email us.

If you require information in another format or have any further questions, send us an email, call us (0203 092 0401, weekdays, excluding public holidays, 9am - 5pm) or write to us at:

Liveable Streets, 6th Floor Mulberry Place, PO Box 55739, 5 Clove Crescent, London E14 2BG

Coronavirus update

Our Liveable Streets programme team is following government advice and is currently working remotely. Work will continue as planned on the projects and the team will adhere to all guidelines.

For coronavirus updates from Tower Hamlets join our mailing list.

If you have any questions regarding the consultation phase please see below, or get in touch with the team by emailing liveablestreets@towerhamlets.gov.uk or calling 0203 092 0401 (weekdays, excluding public holidays, 9am - 5pm).

UPDATE 20 November 2020: Bow Public Consultation Results Booklet published online

Over the last 18 months, the Liveable Streets team has worked with the Bow community to understand the improvements they would like to see in the area.

In July this year, the team shared the proposed plans and asked for public feedback via a public consultation. From more than 2,100 respondents in the consultation area, 70% supported the overall scheme.

Today, the results booklet has been published online, detailing the results of the consultation, the alternatives considered, and the recommendations to be presented to the Mayor and the Cabinet for a final decision on 25 November 2020.

You can view a copy of the Results Booklet here.

If you have any questions regarding Bow Liveable Streets please get in touch with the team by emailing liveablestreets@towerhamlets.gov.uk or calling 0203 092 0401 (weekdays, excluding public holidays, 9am - 5pm).


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.

We’ve listened to your concerns on issues including:

  • The volume and speed of vehicles in residential areas
  • Unfriendly pavements, public spaces and poor crossings for pedestrians
  • Hostile environments for cyclists, particularly for children

What is proposed and why are these proposals important?

Every day there are over 33,000 journeys within the Bow area. Of these, 49% are vehicles travelling through the area and not stopping. This means over 16,000 journeys are from non-residents of the local area and these vehicles are contributing to the already unacceptable levels of air pollution on your streets, outside your schools and around your local shops.

The Liveable Streets proposals will help improve road safety, public spaces, air quality and give the streets back to the residents. However to achieve this some local residents who want to drive may have to travel longer distances.

Seven main schemes have been developed to improve walking and cycling, create better public spaces, discourage through-traffic and improve air quality. We are proposing traffic changes and calming measures to make local streets safer for everyone. Pedestrian improvements, better street lighting, tree planting and cycling infrastructure are also considered.

Bow Consultation Proposals

Click below to view the Bow scheme area proposals.

If you have a question regarding the Bow proposals, you can ask on the below Q&A tool or email us.

If you require information in another format or have any further questions, send us an email, call us (0203 092 0401, weekdays, excluding public holidays, 9am - 5pm) or write to us at:

Liveable Streets, 6th Floor Mulberry Place, PO Box 55739, 5 Clove Crescent, London E14 2BG

Coronavirus update

Our Liveable Streets programme team is following government advice and is currently working remotely. Work will continue as planned on the projects and the team will adhere to all guidelines.

For coronavirus updates from Tower Hamlets join our mailing list.

If you have any questions regarding the consultation phase please see below, or get in touch with the team by emailing liveablestreets@towerhamlets.gov.uk or calling 0203 092 0401 (weekdays, excluding public holidays, 9am - 5pm).

Please submit your questions relating to Liveable Streets Bow and the team will aim to get back to you within a few days.

Ask a question about Liveable Streets Bow

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  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Dear Liveable streets team, I was wondering if you had a timeline regarding publishing the results of the survey and the associated works?

    Griff asked 5 months ago

    Hello there! Consultation responses will be analysed and a report outlining the findings will be produced for Tower Hamlets Cabinet. Together the Mayor and Cabinet make the final decision and a report will be released to the public. Please keep an eye on the Tower Hamlets website and join the mailing list to receive the e-newsletter for details on when this report will be released https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/lgnl/community_and_living/Liveable_Streets.aspx

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    Hello, in general I’m supportive of proposals to make our area safer and less polluted, cutting down on the horrendous traffic and congestion, and improving walking and cycling options. Could you shed some light on why more cycle storage options are not being introduced? For many residents storing cycles at home is just not possible due to a lack of space, and the existing cycle hangers are over subscribed. More could surely be done on this front?

    Wpb689 asked 6 months ago

    Hello, thank you for your interest in the Liveable Streets programme.

    We have proposed a number of cycle hangars for residents to securely store their bicycles.  These locations have been selected based on where there have been a group of requests from residents.  

    If you wish for a cycle hangar to be installed in your area, please let us know by filling in the survey, or emailing us at liveablestreets@towerhamlets.gov.uk 

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    Do you have specific modelling for motor traffic levels on specific roads such as Old Ford, Parnell, Tredegar, Roman and Fairfield under this plan? How does this compare to today? Some neighbours on Grove Road and Bow Road are worried about traffic being displaced onto these roads. What percentage difference might we expect on these roads a) initially, and then b) once things settle down/some local trips move away from the car/other Liveable Streets schemes come into operation?

    matth1981 asked 7 months ago

    Hi there, thank you for your question. 

    One of the overall objectives of the Liveable Streets programme is to encourage a shift to sustainable travel such as walking and cycling. Studies have shown in other areas where low traffic neighbourhoods are implemented there is an overall reduction in traffic, as people may choose to travel by other modes. Other cut through traffic may also choose to take a different route entirely, rather than traffic shifting to immediately adjacent roads. A similar London-based scheme can be read about online: https://enjoywalthamforest.co.uk/work-in-your-area/walthamstow-village/walthamstow-village-review/

    The purpose of this consultation is to gather community feedback on the proposals.  If the proposals are carried forward, it is likely a potential closure will be implemented on an experimental traffic order with a monitoring system to measure the impact. As well as a monitoring the traffic and air pollution, we will support behaviour change through education, such as increased cycle parking and electric vehicle charging.

    As part of the overall process, we work closely with TfL to carry out high level traffic modelling across the area.

    bow
    bow
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    Where are the results of the assessments regarding the impact on surrounding areas you are proposing to divert traffic to? Where is the evidence that reducing road space & closing roads encourages cycling & walking? Where is the evidence that people will cycle more if road space is taken away given that the CSH’s have not encouraged much of an increase in cycling in 5 years? How will you deal with the obvious discrimination towards those people who are reliant on door to door travel & will be expected to take longer, more expensive journeys due to the added time, distance & traffic imposed on them? Where is the evidence you have used to implement this scheme...who was involved in the original “consultations” & why were so many residents & local businesses deliberately excluded?

    Jackie asked 7 months ago

    Hello, thanks for getting in touch. The Liveable Streets engagement programme for the Bow started in April 2019. The results of the engagement activities are detailed in the Early Engagement Report. We held co-design workshops with more than 140 residents, business representatives and local traders in attendance in November 2019 and February 2020, where the project team, local businesses and residents worked together to develop these proposals. Feedback from the workshops was incorporated into the final proposal options. 

    Studies have shown in other areas where low traffic neighbourhoods are implemented there is an overall reduction in traffic, as people choose to travel by other modes. Other cut through traffic may also choose to take a different route entirely, rather than traffic shifting to immediately adjacent roads. A similar London-based scheme can be read about online: https://enjoywalthamforest.co.uk/work-in-your-area/walthamstow-village/walthamstow-village-review/

    As part of the project, we want to improve accessibility for all, and this includes those that would like to walk or cycle, but cannot or do not because of barriers to travel such as lack of dropped kerbs, street furniture that makes pavements too narrow, or a high traffic environment that makes it feel unsafe to cross or cycle.

    As part of this consultation process, the council has spoken with residents and community groups for the elderly and disabled to understand how they feel about the proposals. Conversations so far indicate many welcome the changes around more accessible streets and walking environments because they make the area safer and easier for the elderly and mobility impaired to get around. If you have other suggestions of how we can improve the proposals for these groups, please do let us know in the comment sections of the survey.

    The proposals are crucial for the vulnerable members of Bow’s community currently struggling to navigate the neighbourhood streets due to fear of unsafe roads, pavements that do not meet minimum standards and other barriers brought by high traffic volumes. If the proposals go ahead, the closures and bus gate may require residents using cars to take a slightly longer route during operating times. The final bus gate operating hours will be driven by the community response to the proposals and this may mean it is still possible to travel as you normally would outside of peak times. We encourage everyone to have their say on the preference for bus gate operating times via the survey.

    The proposals offer a variety of times for how the potential closures could operate. This could be just in the peak periods, during weekends, or 24/7. The final bus gate operating hours will be driven by the community response to the proposals and this may mean it is still possible to travel as you normally would outside of peak times. We encourage everyone to have their say on the preference for bus gate operating times via the survey.

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    I'm supportive of the overall objectives of the programme, and of the proposals overall. My main concern is the effect on traffic on Fairfield Road, given that some of the current routes through to Hackney Wick via Tredegar Road are being closed off. Is it anticipated that the volume of traffic on Fairfield Road will rise, and if so by how much? How will traffic levels on Fairfield Rd compare with current levels on Tredegar Road? More broadly, is there a summary available of the modelling of traffic flows - which roads will get busier, and which quieter? Thanks.

    ianjohnbarrett asked 7 months ago

    Hi there, thank you for your question. As part of the overall process, we work closely with TfL to carry out high level traffic modelling across the area.

    The origin-destination data looks at how people travel in, out and through the area. Data found most traffic cuts through in an east-west direction, rather than using the north-south routes that include Fairfield Road. Traffic volumes on Fairfield Rd are not anticipated to rise. If the proposals are taken forward, this will be monitored carefully.

    We are consulting on the closures and operation options, it may be just in the peak periods, during 7am-7pm weekday, or 24/7. The purpose of this consultation is to gather everyone’s views and feedback. Each potential outcome carries a different impact, with the 24/7 closure resulting in the greatest traffic reduction.

    If the proposals are carried forward, it is likely a potential closure will be implemented on an experimental traffic order with a monitoring system to measure the impact. As well as a monitoring the traffic and air pollution, we will support behaviour change through education, such as increased cycle parking and electric vehicle charging.

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    1) Have the council considered what level of response against the proposals of road closures will mean it doesn’t go ahead? It feels like the council are planning to make these changes regardless of negative feedback from residents. 2) As a regular user of Uber which are mostly electric/hybrid cars I will be seeing my journey cost to travel within the borough by car (unavoidable for me as I need to carry equipment for work that can’t go on the bus) increase significantly, however the taxis I use don’t increase pollution. Do you think in 2020, when there is technology and pollution reduction alternatives to road closures that you could look at other ways to reduce pollution rather than closing roads in zone 2 of one of the biggest cities in the world. We don’t live in the countryside and if people want to then they can move. 3) in the consultation information you have quoted that children in tower hamlets gave up to 10% less lung capacity than the national average. Can you please confirm the source of this statistic

    Kembetts asked 6 months ago

    Thank you for reaching out. These proposals are not set in stone and your feedback is important to influence the outcome. Consultation responses will be analysed and a report outlining the findings will be produced for Tower Hamlets Cabinet. Together the Mayor and Cabinet make the final decision. 

    Traffic reduction is crucial for improving air quality and improving safety, particularly for our vulnerable residents who currently struggle to navigate the neighbourhood streets due to fear of unsafe roads, pavements that do not meet minimum standards and other barriers brought by high traffic volumes. Find out more about air quality in the borough at the council Breathe Clean page:

    https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/News_events/2019/May_2019/Take-the-Breathe-Clean-Challenge.aspx

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    If the bus gateways are in operation during set times of the day, how much traffic do you expect to pass through the area when these are open? Have you considered that St Stephens Road (south section) is as narrow as the Skew Bridge in some sections, but there are proposals to keep this open from 7pm on Fridays to 7am on Mondays and turning it into a proper rat run. How does this work if the plans are supposed to reduce traffic and vehicles will only be able to use this route?

    simat asked 6 months ago

    Thanks for getting in contact, good question. Following the consultation outcome, several potential closure/bus gate scenarios are possible, each carrying a different impact. The most effective way to reduce traffic is the 24/7 restriction. The timed closures will eliminate a significant amount of traffic through the busiest times of day and during the week, however if these options are implemented traffic would still be able to pass through the area during weekends and outside of closure hours. We are seeking feedback from residents on the preference of closure times for the bus gate and for the Coborn Rd closure. Please let us know how you feel about the proposals by filling in the survey.

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    Hi, I live on Tredegar Road and I’m very supportive of the proposal to cut out a rat route. It’s a constant sorce of noise and pollution. What are your plans for the area under the bridge at the end of the road? It could be blocked off and turned into something nice

    Gman4 asked 6 months ago

    Hello, thank you for your question. By removing traffic, we can improve the area under the Coborn Road rail bridge with new tree planting to make the area look and feel more pleasant. We also want to improve the lighting, making it feel safer and possibly introduce street artwork to reflect the old Coborn Station history. The level of possible improvement at Coborn Rd rail bridge will depend on the outcome of the consultation. The 24/7 closure option would allow the most change, accommodating a new public space with planting and wider pavements. Please make sure you have your say by filling in the survey.

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    Whilst I would desperately like to see my road quieter and no HGV's using it/commuters cutting through every AM and PM, I am concerned it will also limit residents ability to get around the area when they have to use a vehicle for work, for example, and have no other option. I think the residents registration recognition idea is a good one and wouldn't encourage us to use our cars more, but also wouldn't prevent us using them when we really had to. I drive very little in the area as traffic is so bad and I have a bike. My husband has to drive daily for work and being unable to would have a severe impact on his earnings. I would like to hear if this scheme has been considered ?Thanks

    CD asked 7 months ago

    Thanks for getting in touch. The Liveable Streets proposals are important to help improve road safety, public spaces, air quality and give the streets back to the residents. For those who must or choose to drive a slightly longer route may be required. The programme aims to encourage the use of sustainable modes of travel, especially for short local trips. The supply of resident permits is likely to encourage an increase in local car trips and therefore goes against the programme goals.

    The proposals offer a variety of times for how the potential closures could operate. This could be just in the peak periods, during weekends, or 24/7. The final bus gate operating hours will be driven by the community response to the proposals and this may mean it is still possible to travel as you normally would outside of peak times. We encourage everyone to have their say on the preference for bus gate operating times via the survey.

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    I'm assuming you have been intelligent enough to work up a model of traffic flows in order to assess the impact of the proposed schemes on other areas within and without the Bow Wards. 1) Where is the explanation of that model and the impact on traffic flows? 2) Where is the explanation of how and where traffic moving across Bow Ward will move a) within the ward? b) outside the ward? 3) Have you consulted all those people outside the Bow area who are impacted by these proposals? 4) What is your estimate of how much the pollution levels will rise along the roads where traffic will move to? 5) What are your sources of data for the assumptions you are making in the model of traffic flows - assuming one exists?

    mile end road asked 7 months ago

    Hi there, thank you for your question. One of the overall objectives of the Liveable Streets programme is to encourage a shift to sustainable travel such as walking and cycling. Studies have shown in other areas where low traffic neighbourhoods are implemented there is an overall reduction in traffic, as people may choose to travel by other modes. Other cut through traffic may also choose to take a different route entirely, rather than traffic shifting to immediately adjacent roads. A similar London-based scheme can be read about online: https://enjoywalthamforest.co.uk/work-in-your-area/walthamstow-village/walthamstow-village-review/

    The purpose of this consultation is to gather community feedback on the proposals.  If the proposals are carried forward, it is likely a potential closure will be implemented on an experimental traffic order with a monitoring system to measure the impact. As well as a monitoring the traffic and air pollution, we will support behaviour change through education, such as increased cycle parking and electric vehicle charging.

    As part of the overall process, we work closely with TfL to carry out high level traffic modelling across the area.