Mini-Holland

Mini Holland •
Hospital and Blackhorse Road, meaning cycling to these local
destinations is a no brainer. The improved Forest Road will
also be a fitting gateway to the award winning Walthamstow
Wetlands development with the main visitor centre to be
located to the west of Blackhorse Road station.
Key benefits
high volumes of vehicular traffic. Traffic speed is an issue
along this stretch of the road, and there is a traffic speed
camera to deter high speeds.
Properties along this stretch are limited to commercial
premises east of Wickford Way, but there are no residential
addresses. Over the three year period there were 8 collisions,
6 involving cyclists (1 involving a pedestrian – 3 in darkness).
Dubbed London’s best kept secret” by the Mayor of London,
the site borders Waltham Forest, Haringey and Hackney and
its proximity to the Olympic Park ties it into the other facilities
in the area providing a legacy from the 2012 Games. The
site is part of the Lee Valley, linking to Hackney Marshes and
Leyton Jubilee Park and through to the Olympic Park.
Proposal
Benefits to cyclists on Forest Road will be a greener, more
attractive environment, providing a more appropriate gateway
to the Wetlands, as well as improved safety and comfort on
this section of Forest Road especially east bound. Possible
risks include potential delays to buses as traffic is restricted to
one lane in each direction.
The Forest Road proposal will provide:
• ‘The northern part of the frame of cycle routes for the mini
Holland area
• ‘Much improved cycling and walking access to the Town
Hall and Walthamstow College
• ‘A sustainable gateway to the Walthamstow Wetlands
development
• ‘A greener corridor with sustainable drainage and additional
tree planting
• ‘New public spaces in the form of pocket parks
• ‘Improved access to nature for residents of the borough and
those wishing to visit the marshes and Epping Forest.
We will implement segregation on both sides of Forest Road
on the wider section from Farnan Ave to Wood Street
The project won the 2012 London Planning Awards Best
Conceptual Project and involves:
• ‘Transforming a 200 hectare site into London’s largest urban
wetland nature reserve through £6.5m Heritage Lottery
Fund and Thames Water funding of £1.5m.
• ‘Enhancing the environmental, recreational and educational
potential of the Walthamstow Reservoirs with improved
habitats and biodiversity, nature trails, heritage walks and
Borough boundary to Blackhorse Lane Junction
Semi-segregated treatment is proposed from the west up to
the bridge structure, then a segregated cycle track as per the
visualisation and using sustainable drainage systems (SUDS)
is proposed between the reservoirs. This section of highway
will be totally re-configured; there is no built-up areas with
frontage requirements and very few stats to deal with.
As the route reaches the eastern end of the reservoirs, the
highway becomes wider and the cycle route will seamlessly
continue into semi-segregated facilities up until the
Blackhorse Rd junction (and for much of the route until east
of the Bell Corner junction). Much of this section of highway is
very wide with central hatching that be more usefully utilised
as cycle lane.
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junction (and on to Epping Forest), using armadillos,
bollards and/or planters.
Section 1: Borough Boundary to Blackhorse Road
Existing
The current road space allocation is one lane eastbound with
two lanes westbound (including bus lane – Mon to Sat 7am
to 7pm). Currently westbound cyclists can use the footway
(shared) or bus lane with eastbound cyclists afforded a
segregated lane situated on the northern footway.
The current carriageway design suggests a road suitable for
a three kilometre cycle route through the site. It has the
largest fishery in London and is a wildlife site of international
importance
• ‘‘Water and Life’ visitor centre in a renovated pumping
station, a café overlooking the reservoirs, a viewing platform
and hides and an annual river festival.
• ‘Provide public access to nature to enjoy the green oasis in
the heart of North East London. Over 300,000 people live
within two miles of the site, which is close to Tottenham
Hale and Blackhorse Lane stations, providing easy access
by public transport.
Junction 1 –Blackhorse Road/Blackhorse Lane Junction
The current situation on this node includes:
• ‘Traffic signalled cross-roads – 3 stages including early cutoff
on westbound
• ‘Two or more traffic lanes on each arm
• ‘Staggered pedestrian facility across all arms
• ‘Yellow box marking over southern part of junction for
westbound traffic
• ‘Advanced cycle stop lines on three arms
• ‘Pre-cycle signal on west arm of Forest Road