Liveable Streets Brick Lane

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:

• Create a planting area at the junction of Hanbury Street and Old Montague Street.
• Install plants and flowers on Brick Lane including outside Brick Lane Mosque.
• Additional planting in the parklets proposed at the junction of Hanbury Street and Brick Lane.
• Additional planting where possible within the scheme.

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

• Brick Lane is an iconic and historic area with a large footfall of local community and attracting visitors worldwide. Our proposals aim to improve the accessibility for all those that travel, walk and cycle to Brick Lane. These include:
• Relocating motorcycle parking on Brick Lane, at the south of Buxton Street, to enable pavement width for a pushchair or wheelchair.
• Adding dropped kerbs to create safer crossings within the area.
• At each timed closure point junction, surface treatment is proposed. This will be a coloured surface in contrast with the road surface so drivers are aware they are crossing/entering the timed section.
• Creating new disabled parking spaces on the Chicksand Street, Fashion Street and Fournier Street.
• Upgrade street lighting on Buxton Street, Underwood Road and Code Street to create a safer walking and cycling route.

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:

• Relocation of all the parking on Hanbury Street, from Wilkes Street to Spital Street, to the northern side of the road.
• Relocation of five parking spaces on Hanbury Street, between Greatorex Street and Deal Street.

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:

• Southbound one-way section along Deal Street between Underwood Road and Woodseer Street.
• Traffic calming features in Spital Street to make the road safer.

This would be to:

• Reduce cut through traffic to improve air quality.
• Reduce vehicle movement at the junction of Deal Street and Hanbury to improve road safety.

Safe cycle storage and parking

To help encourage more local residents to cycle we are proposing a number of improvements:

• Safe and secure cycle hangars on Old Montague Street, Chicksand Street, Fashion Street, Hanbury Street and Woodseer Street.
• New cycle stands on Osborn Street, Old Montague Street, Brick Lane, and Buxton Street.

Our current traffic management proposals are very different from the Streetspace for London scheme that was trialled in Summer 2020, see below:

• During the trial there were 24/7 closures – we are proposing timed closures (5.30pm- 11pm weekdays and 11am-11pm weekends) during peak visiting times.
• During the trial Closures blocked with planters to restrict all vehicle access -we are proposing timed closures will be monitored by Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and will allow 24/7 access for emergency services.

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:

• Between Wentworth Street and Chicksand Street to ensure access for Spitalfields Health Centre and residential car park.
• Between Fashion Street and Fournier Street to enable access to Heneage Street and Seven Stars Yard.
• Between Woodseer Street and Buxton Street for deliveries and access to the public car park.

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:

• Brick Lane between Fashion Street and Fournier Street to allow space for outdoor seating.
• Woodseer Street to allow access for larger vehicles.

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.

Plan of the proposed work in the Scheme 3 Brick Lane area. Please click to enlarge

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:

• Buxton Street, between Deal Street and Vallance Road
• Deal Street, between Woodseer Street and Buxton Street
• Underwood Road
• Hunton Street

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.

• Access for residents & businesses of those streets, school staff, blue badge users and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) children will be allowed if the vehicle is registered for an exemption. This can be requested free of charge by complementing the online form online, please visit: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/schoolstreets
• All other vehicles not registered for exemption will not be permitted to enter the School Street during operational hours between 8.15am-9.15am and 3pm-4pm on school days.
• All vehicles parked within the School Streets will be permitted to leave the area at all times.

School Streets initiatives

School initiatives create a more attractive environment for children on their way to and from school.

We are proposing:

• Planters outside Osmani Primary School on Vallance Road.
• Planters and community area outside Thomas Buxton Primary School on Selby Street. This will require the loss of an existing loading bay and solo motorcycles bay.

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:

• Cycle training and maintenance classes
• Cargo bike use for businesses
• School and workplace travel initiatives
• Play Streets
• Air quality monitoring
• Residential cycle hangars
• Electric vehicle charge points

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.

Visualisation 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:

• Play area for young children
• Clear sight lines
• Keep grassed areas
• Informal community space – for activities like exercise and performance
• Integration of Spitalfields City Farm into the park

Map of Allen Gardens

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:

• Improve signage and wayfinding, including renaming Osborn Street, to help promote footfall in the southern section of Brick Lane and links to Whitechapel
• Create a welcoming and visually appealing streetscape, particularly in the ‘central area’ between Wentworth Street and Fashion Street
• Improve air quality by adding urban greening (parklets) and places to rest for visitors
• Improve the Allen Gardens and Pedley Street link
• Improvements to pavements to make walking and cycling safer
• Highlight Brick Lane’s historic buildings and artwork using architectural lighting
• Improve the Banglatown Arch by refurbishing the existing structure

Visualisation of frontage upgrades

Visualisation of architectural lighting