Closures to reduce traffic and improve road safety in Hackney

Hackney Council has announced a series of road closures are set to be introduced in the coming months, following a consultation with local residents.

The closures are aimed at improving road safety by reducing the number of cars and east-west through-traffic in the Walford Road area – specifically Walford Road, Brighton Road, Beatty Road, and part of Nevill Road. 

Figures show in the Walford Road area, there were 33 recorded road traffic collisions resulting in personal injury in the three years to June 2019, and a further 20 crashes at the junctions of Walford, Brighton and Beatty roads with the A10. 

The measures will be introduced on an experimental basis for up to 18 months, which the council says will give local residents and businesses the opportunity to have their say on how the closures work in practice. 

All feedback will be taken into account before any decision is made on whether or not to make the closures permanent.

Cllr Jon Burke, cabinet member for energy, waste, transport and public realm, said: “In taking this decision, council officers have considered the views of local residents alongside the high levels of through-traffic and number of accidents in what is a predominantly residential area.

“We will continue to work with residents on measures to reduce polluting traffic on Church Street, Crossway and Albion Road, including through funding from the mayor of London’s air quality fund, and our own work to implement green screens at all schools in the area and introduce School Streets to nearly all primary schools in the borough by September.”

Hackney Council is also currently developing a radical post-lockdown transport strategy, which will see closures/traffic filters introduced on over 20 roads across the borough to promote walking and cycling.


11 August 2020