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As part of the Coppermill Area Scheme and our commitment to making walking and cycling easy, safe and enjoyable, we have created new blended ‘Copenhagen’ crossings at 7 locations to help prioritise pedestrians at junctions.

These crossings, which have already been installed at hundreds of locations across the borough, mean drivers must slow down when entering or exiting the side road and give way to pedestrians crossing the road. The crossings extend the pavement across the carriageway, making crossing the road easier for many road users.

In July 2020, we sent an update leaflet to all addresses within the scheme area informing the local community about how Covid-19 had affected funding for highway and transport improvements in the borough; and that Transport for London (TfL) was unable to provide planned funding for Liveable Neighbourhoods schemes across London, including the Coppermill Area scheme.

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.

For the past 12 months we have been engaging with residents, businesses and local accessibility groups and key stakeholders to find out what they would like to see improved. Based on this feedback we have created a set of proposals for the area. We have now started a public consultation on our proposals and want everyone who lives or works in the area to have their say on the proposals to help shape the final improvements.

There are a number of ways you can participate in the public consultation:

We're now inviting residents to attend workshops to help us shape our proposed improvements for the Coppermill area.

These workshops will give residents an opportunity to share their views on how to make the area safer and easier to travel around.

There will be a presentation on the feedback we've had so far, as well as opportunities for discussion. There will also be group exercises where residents will be able to give their views on where new crossings are needed and the highway could be improved. You can also suggest locations for improved public space.

The workshops are taking place on Tuesday 23 April and Wednesday 24 April from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Willowfield School, 209 Blackhorse Road, E17 6ND.

Spaces are limited so if you would like to attend the workshop you must register in advance through Eventbrite.

Last year Waltham Forest secured funding from Transport for London to enhance the Coppermill area and to kick start the process we held an initial perception survey with residents over the summer. Thank you to everyone who took part in this survey, all of your feedback has helped us develop a greater understanding around how you feel about the area and the changes you would like to see.

You can see a summary of the feedback we received through the perception survey report, which can be found here: www.enjoywalthamforest.co.uk/cln/

In recent months we have been doing further engagement with local people to find out how they get around, what travel barriers they face and what improvements could be made to help everyone travel around safely, whether by bike, on foot or by public transport. We piloted our first community comments signs, inviting residents and businesses to write their thoughts about seven key locations identified through the perception survey, and we held a number of pop-up events in the area to speak with local people. We also hosted a led cycle ride and walk of these sites. The feedback from all of these events will contribute to developing improvements that will make the area easier and safer for people to travel around.

Next we will be hosting co-design workshops with residents and trialling some ideas on Coppermill Lane, followed by public consultation.

What next?

We have lots more opportunities to get involved and share your views.

Spring 2019:

• Co-design workshops

• Scheme proposal trials: Coppermill Lane

• Pop-up events

Summer 2019:

• Public consultation

• Drop-in sessions

How to get involved

To keep up to date with future activities sign up to the Coppermill blog on: https://coppermill.commonplace.is. We will be writing to residents again ahead of the public consultation.

Is access and mobility around the area a difficulty? If so you are invited to attend a quarterly Accessibility Forum for the Coppermill Area Liveable Neighbourhoods scheme.

Waltham Forest Council, was successful in securing funding from Transport for London (TfL) 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.

Following on from the perception survey, we would like to meet with local accessibility and disability stakeholders, such as yourself, to get your thoughts on our initial ideas for the area.

If you would like to get involved, please come along to an informal meeting at:

The Mill Community Centre, 7-11 Coppermill Lane, Walthamstow, E17 7HA on Thursday 17 January 2018. The meeting will start at 6pm and finish at 7pm.

Please let us know if you will be able to attend this meeting along with any special requests or requirements for your attendance.

Following the Coppermill Area perception survey earlier this year, we want to gather some more detailed views from residents, so this month we are hosting a range of events and putting in place some methods for you to share more specific views on various locations.

From the perception survey we have identified a number of areas where residents have requested changes and improvements. In order to gather more detailed suggestions on seven areas, this week we have installed signs where residents and visitors to the area can share their views on how they would like to see that location improved. Ideas could be anything including new lighting, more seating or better transport infrastructure – please be creative. The signs will be on site for the next two weeks and we will be monitored by the council daily.

This week we will also be at some of these sites meeting with residents and visitors to have a conversation about what improvements could be introduced.

Please come along and have a chat with the team. We will also be hosting a special meeting with local businesses at The Mill later this month, invitations will be sent out to businesses shortly.

We are looking for people to take part in a travel diary over the coming four years as the Coppermill area improvements are implemented and completed. We are looking for people with various viewpoints and methods of travelling around. If you are interested in participating please fill out this registration survey and we’ll be in touch shortly.