Colvestone Crescent street improvements

Q. What is a Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS)?

A. Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) are designed to capture surface water to prevent overloading of the sewer system, which can cause flooding. The type of SuDS used at these locations will be rain gardens, which mimic natural drainage.

An example of a rain garden at Pembury Road

Q. What is a rain garden?

A. A rain garden is a type of sustainable drainage feature. It’s designed to capture rainfall and use the water to sustain planting and help increase biodiversity. No matter how small the garden, it can have a positive impact on managing surface water runoff, which can contribute to flooding.

A rain garden requires runoff water from the road, pavement, a level planting area or breaks in kerbs to drain into it. Rain gardens are an effective way of greening the borough, especially in local streets and residential areas with a medium to high risk of flooding.

Q. Where can I load/unload if I receive deliveries?

A. A new loading bay is proposed as part of the scheme. Additionally, active loading and unloading can take place on all single and double yellow lines in the wider area, where there are no loading restrictions, as well as within parking bays. For any specific requests, such as removals, you can apply for a dispensation to load and unload outside the proposed pedestrian and cycle zone. Please visit our website for more information:
hackney.gov.uk/dispensations

Q. How will the gardens be maintained?

A. The rain gardens will be included in the Council’s maintenance programme.

Q. The street improvements were originally proposed when Colvestone Primary School was still open. How has the closure of the school affected the proposals?

A. Although the school has closed, the proposals will still bring benefits to residents and other users of the street. Features such as the rain gardens and planting, and the encouragement of active lifestyles, will also have a positive impact on the wider environment helping us meet the objectives of Hackney’s Climate Action Plan 2023-2030.

Q. When are you planning to start construction work on the street?

A. Subject to this consultation and statutory processes, we aim to start the works in Spring 2026, with completion about five months later. Further information regarding the works will be sent out closer to the time.

Colvestone Crescent is the centre of a vibrant community in Dalston, located next to the busy Ridley Road market. The vibrant atmosphere and strong community presence contribute significantly to its appeal, offering a wonderful environment for residents to work, live and enjoy the area. However, Colvestone Crescent has also been experiencing challenges with crime and antisocial behaviour.

The Council is committed to creating a fairer, greener, healthier Hackney, where people can walk, wheel and shop locally, enjoy welcoming public spaces, and travel on safer, healthier streets. 

The improvements at Colvestone Crescent are part of our Dalston Liveable Neighbourhood Plans to support active, healthy lifestyles, reduce air pollution, and create a more welcoming, people-friendly neighbourhood. You can find out more about the Dalston Liveable Neighbourhood at bit.ly/DalstonLN, where you will also find a separate survey about the wider scheme. 

We are committed to making Hackney’s roads safer for everyone living, working and visiting the borough. The roads and streets in our neighbourhoods are not just places to park, drive, walk and cycle; they are the places where we socialise and live our lives. We want to transform Hackney’s neighbourhoods into the most attractive and liveable in London. 

Colvestone Crescent Public Realm improvement will be our pioneering project for these neighbourhood improvements, creating an open space for people living in and visiting the area. It would set a precedent for other streets in the borough, addressing the climate crisis and using additional lighting alongside attractive landscaping to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour in the area.