News on Coppermill

Waltham Forest Council successfully secured funding from Transport for London as part of its Liveable Neighbourhoods programme, to enhance the Coppermill area and make it easier and safer for people to get around on foot, by bike or public transport. Below is a copy of the Coppermill Area Improvements Update leaflet that was distributed in January 2020 to all residents and businesses in the Coppermill Area:

Coppermill Lane between Rensburg Road and the Thames Water treatment plant

In May 2019 we conducted trials of two potential alternative road layouts on the section of Coppermill Lane between Rensburg Road and the Thames Water treatment plant site. The purpose was to establish whether the proposed changes would reduce vehicle speeds and make the street safer for people walking and cycling, while also meeting local needs.

At the time of the public consultation in June and July 2019 we were still reviewing and analysing the various surveys and monitoring activities that took place during the May 2019 trials, and so did not include any proposals in the consultation document for this part of Coppermill Lane.

Through assessment of the feedback received during the trials some users felt that the trial layouts helped reduce vehicle speeds and made Coppermill Lane feel safer and more comfortable to walk and cycle along, other users did not. Thames Water also raised a number of concerns about the operational impact on their facility, particularly around large vehicle access.

Overall, our assessment is that the potential benefits do not justify the potential cost. Instead we are developing an alternative scheme that seeks to tackle the key issues raised by respondents during the trials and consultation, which include vehicle speeds and anti-social behaviour. Once alternative proposals have been developed in more detail we will engage locally with local residents, businesses and key stakeholders.

Parklets

Parklets are generally installed in parking spaces near shops and places of interest to provide seating and spaces for people to spend time, which can help increase footfall for local businesses.

Over the past six months we have trialled a Parklet at various locations within the area; initially in Station Road before being moved to its current location on Coppermill Lane outside The Mill Community Centre.

The Parklet is on trial and we are currently looking into prospective future sites for the Parklet within the Coppermill area and would welcome any suggestions via our email address: parklets@walthamforest.gov.uk

We will now progress the next stage of the project (detailed design), which will include liaison with key stakeholders to assist further development of the designs. The detailed design stage will continue through to early 2020, which will be followed by a statutory consultation exercise. We are aiming to complete the detailed design process by early Spring 2020, at which point we will require final approval from TfL to proceed to the construction stage. Subject to the detailed design process and TfL approval we expect construction will commence from April/May 2020 onwards.

Also, we will progress some advance construction works in early 2020, which will be followed by construction of the main works programme in Spring 2020. The full construction phase is anticipated to last for approximately 18 months. Further construction updates will be sent to the local community as the project progresses.

For further information please visit the Enjoy Waltham Forest website, which includes the consultation document and key project information: www.enjoywalthamforest.co.uk/cln/

To keep up to date with future activities please sign up to the Coppermill Area blog on: www.coppermill.commonplace.is

TfL W19 bus service improvements

A consultation will be conducted by TfL starting on 24 January 2020 regarding their proposals for changes to the W19 bus route.

To access the TfL consultation please visit: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/buses/w19-rerouting/

For further information, please email us at: www.enjoywalthamforest.co.uk/cln/

Kind Regards

Enjoy Waltham forest Team