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Brick Lane – New pedestrian only zones from 12th February
We are pleased to inform you work is due to begin on the Liveable Streets programme in the Brick Lane area.
View Scheme Map |
Works start date | Location | Works type |
W/C – 7th February 2022 | Brick Lane | Installation of posts and signage |
W/C – 7th February 2022 | Fournier Street and Princelet Street | Fournier Street, Princelet Street (west of Brick Lane) converted to one-way westbound. Road markings and signs changes |
12th February 2022 | Brick Lane | New pedestrian only zones begin. (Emergency service access re- mains) |
All site works will take place between the hours of 8am and 6pm on weekdays and 9am and 1pm
on weekends, and the team will work hard to keep any unnecessary noise to a minimum.
Brick Lane – New pedestrian only zones from 12th February
We are pleased to inform you work is due to begin on the Liveable Streets programme in the Brick Lane area.
View Scheme Map |
Works start date | Location | Works type |
W/C – 7th February 2022 | Brick Lane | Installation of posts and signage |
W/C – 7th February 2022 | Fournier Street and Princelet Street | Fournier Street, Princelet Street (west of Brick Lane) converted to one-way westbound. Road markings and signs changes |
12th February 2022 | Brick Lane | New pedestrian only zones begin. (Emergency service access re- mains) |
All site works will take place between the hours of 8am and 6pm on weekdays and 9am and 1pm
on weekends, and the team will work hard to keep any unnecessary noise to a minimum.
A big part of this project is to improve the look and feel of the neighbourhood to create a better and safer environment for the community to enjoy. We are proposing both environmental and traffic management improvements.
Planting
Our proposals aim to create a more attractive environment for those walking and cycling:
Parklets
We are proposing two new parklets (a small seating area with green space and planting on the pavement) in the surroundings within the Brick Lane and Hanbury Street junction. The parklets will require the relocation of one parking space which will be moved to surrounding roads. Details of the parking relocation will be found on the online parking map (talk.towerhamlets.gov.uk/LSBrickLane).
Accessibility
Road safety improvements
Hanbury Street is a key walking and cycling route for the area. It provides an alternative to the main road and is used by the local community and visitors to get to Brick Lane and Commercial road. Currently over 500 cyclists use this every day and it will become an even busier route once the Crossrail station opens at Whitechapel. To improve the road safety along the route we are proposing the:
There will be no overall parking loss through these changes as parking spaces will be relocated to the surrounding roads.
Traffic calming measures
Traffic counts show that many residential roads experience high levels of motor vehicle traffic every day. Residential streets like Deal Street currently have more than 4,100 vehicles using them every day. A high percentage of these are non-residents cutting through your area leading to noise, air pollution and road safety issues. We are proposing:
This would be to:
Safe cycle storage and parking
To help encourage more local residents to cycle we are proposing a number of improvements:
Our current traffic management proposals are very different from the Streetspace for London scheme that was trialled in Summer 2020, see below:
Traffic Management
We are proposing timed restrictions for motor vehicles to ensure businesses can continue to receive deliveries and collections during the day on weekdays. The timed closures will provide a safer environment for pedestrians during evenings and weekends.
We are proposing some sections of Brick Lane stay open at all times for access requirements. These are:
To ensure that large vehicles are able to leave Brick Lane during the hours of operation of the timed closures, three parking spaces at the junction within Chicksand Street will need to be relocated in the surrounding area.
Public spaces
The proposed timed closures will create safer public spaces for the community by limiting vehicle movements during evenings and weekends, when Brick Lane is at its busiest.
These public space changes will help enhance the area for pedestrians, encouraging more visitors to local businesses.
Parking, deliveries and access
During the hours of operation of the timed closures, parking located within the public spaces will not be allowed. This includes 17 pay and display bays and 9 loading bays.
Further parking changes will be required during the hours of operation of the timed closures on:
There will be no changes to the loading and business bays on the side streets next to Brick Lane. Businesses access to load and receive deliveries on these streets will remain during the timed closures hours of operation.
The timed closures will be monitored by Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, which will restrict vehicle movements but still allow access for emergency services during hours of operation. We will continue to work closely with the emergency services to make Brick Lane an even safer place to live, work and visit.
If the traffic management proposals for evening closures is supported, further discussion will take place with local residents and businesses whether they are still preferred in winter time, when the benefits of facilitating outdoor dining are much smaller.
As part of our ongoing commitment to reduce emissions around schools, we are proposing to introduce new School Streets and School Street initiatives in the Brick Lane area.
School Streets
School Streets enable streets to be closed to motor vehicles either permanently or during mornings and afternoons on school days to allow children, parents and staff to arrive and leave the schools in a safe and healthy environment whilst encouraging more active travel.
It is proposed that roads outside these schools will be closed to motor vehicles between 8.15am to 9.15am in the morning and 3pm to 4pm in the afternoon.
School Streets are being proposed at the following locations:
Why do we need School Streets?
To improve road safety - Unfortunately, children are some of the most vulnerable road users. As part of the School Street we look at the design of the roads and pavements to make it as safe as possible for children on the way to and from school.
To protect children from pollution - Harmful air pollution affects the health and well-being of children. Children’s lung capacity can be reduced by breathing toxic air which can affect all organs in their body and their long term health. Find out more at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/breatheclean
To encourage active travel - Busy roads can make it feel unsafe to walk and cycle. We can widen pavements, introduce crossings and calm traffic to allow more children to safely walk, scoot and cycle. Where possible, schools can provide space for storing bikes and scooters safely. Find out more at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/cycling
How will the school street work?
The School Street will be enforced by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and vehicles entering not exempt, will automatically be issued a penalty charge notice.
School Streets initiatives
School initiatives create a more attractive environment for children on their way to and from school.
We are proposing:
If the proposals are approved, school workshops will be arranged. The design will be developed through workshops to create a design that understands children’s journeys to and from school, air quality impact, health and well-being improvements.
If you would like further information on Tower Hamlets School Streets initiatives, please visit: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/schoolstreets
COMPLEMENTARY MEASURES
Activities and events
As part of the Liveable Streets programme, the council is developing a number of complementary measures and monitoring.
These will include the following:
If you are interested in play streets, cycle training or cycle hangars, please email us at:
liveablestreets@towerhamlets.gov.uk
INVESTMENT IN THE AREA
The Council is developing other exciting proposals for further investment in Brick Lane. We have already consulted on a range of improvements and we hope to implement these projects alongside the Liveable Streets proposals, this will be an historic level of investment in Brick Lane.
Buxton Street
The project aims to make the street feel more connected to Allen Gardens and Spitalfields City Farm. The street width would be reduced to create more opportunity for planting and art features, to encourage more pedestrians and cyclists to visit. Improvements would also be made near Thomas Buxton Primary School, located on the eastern end of Buxton Street.
Allen Gardens
As part of a regeneration programme, the Parks and High Streets and Town Centres teams are making improvements to Allen Gardens, one of the borough’s most important inner-city open spaces. Allen Gardens is facing issues of crime, anti-social behaviour, littering and fly tipping.
The 2018 consultation identified key areas for improvement, including:
For more information on the proposed improvements please contact:
Allen.Gardens@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Brick Lane public realm
The High Streets and Town Centres team has developed a series of proposals after speaking to residents, businesses, visitors, councillors and landowners. Working with urban designers, architects, artists and lighting designers to develop a range of street improvements along Brick Lane, the proposals will help:
Tower Hamlets Council