Clapton Common (Belz Terrace) and Overlea Road - One-way proposal

Overview

Help us improve Clapton Common

We are seeking your views on a proposed scheme for a one-way traffic system along Belz Terrace and Overlea Road.

Why are these changes being proposed?

The Council is committed to making Hackney’s roads safer for everyone living, working and visiting the borough. These changes aim to create an environment that will encourage more walking and cycling, improve air quality and reduce emissions within the local area.

Our Transport Strategy includes a Liveable Neighbourhoods Plan which recognises that local streets are not just places to park vehicles or drive, walk and cycle on. They are places where we socialise and live our lives. An aspiration is to reclaim Hackney’s streets from motor traffic congestion and transform them into the most attractive and liveable neighbourhoods in London.

The Craven Walk, Belz Terrace, Overlea Road and Spring Hill area has problems with traffic flows and there are often delays when parents drop off and pick up school children at school opening and closing times.

The roads affected have an average width of 7.5 metres with on-street parking which means there is not actually sufficient space left for free flowing traffic.

With this in mind, the Council has been working on proposals to improve traffic flows between Craven Walk and Spring Hill.

What is the proposed scheme?

Please download the drawing using the link at the bottom of the page for details.

The proposals include:

• Changing Belz Terrace and Overlea Road into one-way roads southbound between Craven Walk and Spring Hill. Making these two roads one-way will help clear them of traffic congestion and delays.

• Installing raised entry tables at the Craven Walk – Belz Terrace, Belz Terrace – Overlea Road and Overlea Road – Spring Hill junctions. These will help improve the crossing area for pedestrians and highlight the one-way system.

• Installing ‘SCHOOL KEEP CLEAR’ road markings outside the school entrances at Belz Terrace and Overlea Road to regulate waiting and loading activities outside the school entrances.

• Installing cycle-friendly road humps as a speed reducing measure.

• Installing a footpath in the park opposite the school at Belz Terrace for improved pedestrian accessibility between Craven Walk and the school.

Other schemes in the area

• You may have heard about the Transport for London scheme at the A107 Clapton Common and Portland Avenue junction. This consultation is now closed and residents should expect to receive further communication from Transport for London on the next steps. If you would like to see the proposals please visit consultations.tfl.gov.uk/roads/a107-clapton-common-road/

• The scheme at Belz Terrace may be followed by a cycle accessibility scheme similar to the southern end of Clapton Common. Discussions are still at an early stage and residents would be consulted on any proposals.

What happens next

Your views will be taken into account as part of the detailed design process. We will publish the consultation responses as well as the decisions made at consultation.hackney.gov.uk

To keep up to date with this and other plans, please visit hackney.gov.uk/street-consultations

FAQs

Q. Are parents able to pick up and drop off children on ‘SCHOOL – KEEP – CLEAR’ road markings?
A. No, vehicles must not stop on ‘SCHOOL – KEEP – CLEAR’ road markings at any time.

Q. Is a one-way traffic system legally binding?
A. Yes, the one-way system will be accompanied by a traffic order.

Q. Will there be any changes to existing waiting and loading arrangements?
A. Yes, there will be changes at road junctions and specific locations where the road should be kept clear for safety reasons.

Q. Why is the Council proposing a one-way when it has a policy to remove these?
A. There are a few locations, such as outside the Talmud Torah Machzikei Hadass School, where there is a safety risk to children and other pedestrians owing to the behaviour of some drivers. Having considered options to resolve the problems, the one-way solution appears to be the most effective one in this specific case.