Liveable Streets Old Ford Road West

You told us that Wadeson Street and Vyner Street are key walking and cycling routes to and from the area including local schools, Victoria Park and Mowlem Children’s Centre.

Scheme 1 area plan

Pedestrian Improvements

We are proposing to widen the pavement on Wadeson Street and improve the crossing for wheelchair users and those with pushchairs.

By narrowing the junction with Cambridge Heath Road we can reduce the crossing distance and slow vehicles entering the street.

You said: "Tree planting on Wadeson Street would be welcome to improve the air quality and to improve the feel of the place."

Road Safety and Traffic Changes

In the last five years a number of collisions involving cyclists have been recorded at the junctions of Wadeson Street and Vyner Street with Cambridge Heath Road. We want to improve the safety of these junctions by making both Wadeson Street and Vyner Street one-way. There will be no loss of parking as part of the one-way system. By simplifying the road layout, we will make for a more cycle-friendly route for those coming to or from Hackney via Cambridge Heath Road. Vyner Street will allow contraflow cycling. A road closure is also proposed on Vyner Street, west of Lark Row, to address the anti-social driving. Access to Lark Row will be maintained via Wadeson Street.

Traffic Calming on Sewardstone Road

We want to improve safety for pedestrians and motorists on Sewardstone Road by improving the existing speed humps. We are proposing speed humps which extend fully across the carriageway to slow vehicles.

Public Space Improvements

We also want to improve the look and feel of the area, by introducing tree planting on Wadeson Street, Mowlem Street and Lark Row.

Wadeson Street and Vyner Street Plan

You can view the Scheme 2 proposals here.

We want to make walking and cycling one of the easiest ways to get around the area, especially to and from Victoria Park and the nearby schools.

By reducing the high volumes of cut-through traffic which currently use Bishops Way and Sewardstone Road we can create a safer and more pleasant experience for pedestrians and cyclists.

Scheme 2 area plan

Traffic Changes

To prevent vehicles from using your neighbourhood as a short-cut, a closure is proposed on Sewardstone Road, east of its junction with Bishops Way near the entrance to Victoria Park.

With the proposed closure on Sewardstone Road, traffic is likely to seek alternative cut-through routes. In order to stop this from happening and protect walking and cycling routes for residents and young children travelling to school, work and public transport, we are proposing road closures on Russia Lane, Robinson Road and Bonner Road. It is also proposed to make St James’s Avenue one-way northbound with new street parking and cycle parking.

We want to slow vehicles using Sewardstone Road and Old Ford Road by introducing additional speed humps and raised tables.

Bishops Way and Sewardstone Road Junction Plan

Walking and Cycling Improvements

We want to create a safer pedestrian and cycle environment by improving the existing crossings.

We are proposing to add a cycle crossing across Sewardstone Road from the park to Approach Road and Bishops Way. This reduces the conflict between vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. Contraflow cycling will be permitted on Sewardstone Road.

We are also proposing to introduce raised crossings at the Bonner Road and Approach Road junction to make pedestrians more visible to drivers, and encourage slow traffic speeds. This is a key route for children and parents walking, cycling and scooting to school.

A new contraflow cycle lane is also proposed on Bonner Road between Approach Road and Old Ford Road.

Public Space Improvements

We are proposing a transformation of the central part of the Old Ford Road area. This will reduce the daily through-traffic journeys of drivers who don’t stop locally; improving air quality and road safety.

But, we don’t just want to remove traffic, we propose investing heavily in this area by creating a new public space at the North Globe Town Square with tree planting, better lighting, where people can stop rest and spend time.

If agreed, the final design will be developed with the Designing Out Crime Officers to help deter anti-social behaviour.

The relocated and new parking bays will become short-stay bays to discourage loitering.

North Globe Town Artist's Impression

You can view the Scheme 3 proposals here.

Scheme 3 Area Plan

Walking and Cycling Improvements

To create a cycle and pedestrian friendly environment and prevent Bonner Street from being used as cut-through from Old Ford Road to Roman Road, a road closure is proposed at the junction of Bonner Street and Roman Road.

These proposals will improve road safety, air quality, and reduce noise pollution on this popular route to and from the Bonner Primary School.

A short section of a two-way cycling track along Roman Road will provide an important link to allow continuity to Morpeth Street. Morpeth Street will become exit only at the junction with Roman Road. These proposed changes will allow for key north/south cycle connections into and out of the area, particularly those cycling to or from Victoria Park. Improvements to Morpeth Street will be considered as part of future schemes in the Mile End West Liveable Streets area.

Traffic Flow

By implementing a closure at the junction of Bonner Street and Roman Road, we can replace the signals with a cycle and pedestrian crossing. This will also help improve traffic flow along Roman Road.

With closures being implemented on Old Bethnal Green Road, and pending the proposed closure of Skew Bridge, it is expected that traffic volumes will decrease on Old Ford Road, and allow for safer local journeys.

Bonner Street and Roman Road Junction Plans

Public Space Improvements

The closure of Bonner Street means we can invest in extra greenery and tree planting in this area. This will tie into the market space and improve the look and feel of the area.

We are also proposing additional parking spaces at the southern end of Bonner Street.

Improvements at Victoria Park Square near Museum Gardens and the South end of Globe Road to declutter, provide more cycle parking and planting are also part of our proposals to enhance the area.

Traffic Calming

On Old Ford Road, we have proposed to implement traffic calming improvements including new speed tables replacing some of the existing pavement build-outs to ensure a safer environment for everyone.

To enable safer pedestrian crossing facilities by reducing the speed of vehicles, it is proposed to introduce a raised speed table at the Approach Road and Old Ford Road junction. A speed table at the junction of Cyprus Street and Old Ford Road is also proposed.

We are also proposing to convert the mini-roundabout at Bonner Street and Old Ford Road to a T-junction and relocate the crossing to increase the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.

Walking and Cycling Routes

There are also places that you told us felt unsafe walking through due to anti-social behaviour or inadequate lighting, so we are proposing lighting improvements on Peary Place, the walkway between Cyprus Street and around North Globe Town Square.

In addition, we propose to permit contraflow cycling on Globe Road to ensure a safe and convenient route for cyclists.

You can view the Scheme 4 - School Streets proposals here.

As part of our ongoing commitment to reduce emissions around schools, we are proposing to introduce further School Streets initiatives in the area.

School Streets enable streets to be closed to motor vehicles either permanently or during morning and afternoon times on each school day to allow children, parents, and staff to get to and from school via walking, cycling or scooting in a safe, healthy environment.

School Streets

Roads outside schools will be closed to motor vehicles between 8:30am to 9:15am in the morning and 3:00pm to 3:45pm in the afternoon. This will enable children and parents to arrive and leave the schools safely and encourage more active travel.

Enforcement of school street restrictions will be done via Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. Access for residents and businesses of those streets, school staff, blue badge users, SEND pupils and emergency services will be allowed if the vehicle is registered for an exemption, which can be requested free of charge using a form online.

Mowlem Primary School/Children's Centre and St Elizabeth Roman Catholic Primary School Plan

St Elizabeth Roman Catholic Primary School

This proposed school street includes the timed closure of Bonner Road to vehicles and permanent closure of Waterloo Garden’s south of Bishops Way to become a public space. This provides a great opportunity for the school cohort to get involved in the design.

We will relocate the 3 parking spaces on this road to Bishop’s Way and use the space to install new secure cycle parking for both residents and students of the school. Overall there will be no net loss of parking across the scheme.

Mowlem Primary School/Children's Centre

We have proposed a School Initiative next to the Bishop’s Way Islamic Centre, which would include a closure of the short stretch of road outside the centre just off Bishop’s Way, as well as a proposed cycle hangar. These proposals will aid current social distancing guidelines outside the school for pick up and drop off times.

St John's Church of England Primary School

We are proposing the closure to part of Peel Grove to vehicles with public realm improvements, street lighting and new cycle parking to provide a safe and pleasant space for parents, caregivers and students.

Emergency access to the school will be retained and the existing disabled bays relocated to Old Ford Road.

St John's Church of England Primary School Plan

Bonner Primary School

As part of Tower Hamlets School Streets programme outside Bonner Primary School, Hunslett Street, Hartley Street (west section and section from school to dead end) and Stainsbury Street will be made pedestrian and cycle only zones between 8.30am - 9.15am and 3.00pm - 3.45pm on school days. Hartley Street and Stainsbury Street will be made one-way northbound for vehicles to allow space for footway widening, trees to be planted and contraflow cycling permitted.

Bonner Primary School Plan

Please make sure you fill out the survey to have your say.

If you would like further information on other Tower Hamlets School Streets initiatives, please visit the Tower Hamlets School Streets page.