Mini-Holland cycling scheme in the Walthamstow Village area will go to Cabinet next week

First published Thursday 5 February 2015 in Waltham Forest E Guardian
Last updated 13:33 Thursday 5 February

 
The final plans for a controversial multi-million pound ‘mini-Holland’ cycling scheme have been revealed, ahead of cabinet decision next week.

Last year the community was at loggerheads during a trial run of a proposal to improve road safety in the Walthamstow Village area.

The original plans included a stretch of Orford Road being blocked-off to vehicles, while others converted from two-way to one-way and vice versa. Supporters claimed it was necessary to improve safety, while some businesses and residents claimed it would hit trade, cause congestion in nearby roads and had not been properly consulted on.

Further council consultation followed, with more than 1,200 people responding.

A report, which will be considered by the cabinet on February 10, outlines the trial results.

Council surveys showed rat runs were quickly created by the road changes, with drivers finding alternative routes to avoid queues.

Traffic in Beulah Road increased by 158 per cent and 127 per cent in Eden Road during the trial in September and October.

Increases were also experienced in Livingstone Road, Clarendon Road, Granville Road, Fraser Road and Merton Road.

But, the report states there was a decrease in overall traffic from 25,000 to 20,000 vehicles per day in the area.

On average, traffic speed reduced from 22.3mph to 21mph during the trial.

Changes made following public consultation include a no entry sign at Wingfield Road and closures to two stretches of Eden Road.

Beulah Road would also be made one-way northbound, from Grosvenor Rise East to Addison Road.

Copeland Road will be closed at the junction with Lea Bridge Road.

The closure on Grove Road has been moved to a position outside the Registry Office to allow better access to businesses.

Waltham Forest council was one of only three London councils to win the £30m funding from Transport for London and the Mayor’s Office for the scheme.

The final plans

– Orford Road will be closed to vehicles between Wingfield Road and Eden Road (except buses)

– Close Eden Road junction with Orford Road

– Close Eden Road just south of its junction with Grosvenor Rise East

– Close Grosvenor Rise East, east of Eden Road

– No entry to southbound vehicles on Wingfield Road south of Arden Mews

– Second Avenue – one-way westbound and Third Avenue – one-way eastbound

– Close East Avenue and West Avenue bridges at the junction with St Mary’s Road

– Introduction of a right turn ban from Shernhall Street into Church Lane between 8am to 9:30am

– Introduction of further traffic calming on Vestry Road and improvements to its junction with East Avenue

Changes to traffic direction

– Orford Road – one-way eastbound between Wingfield Road and Eden Road

– Beulah Road – one-way northbound between Grosvenor Rise East and Addison Road and two-way between Addison Road and Orford Road

– Addison Road – two-way between Comely Bank Road and Beulah Road

– Eden Road – two-way for its entire length

– Grosvenor Rise East – two-way between Eden Road and Beulah Road

The cabinet will discuss the findings at Walthamstow Town Hall on February 10 at 2pm.