Help shape plans for Dalston Liveable Neighbourhood

Results updated 16 Feb 2026

Update on the Dalston Traffic Management and Public Space Proposals

Following our public consultation in 2025, we have carefully reviewed feedback from 1,136 respondents, five in-person events, and detailed discussions with local businesses..

The results show that the School Street plans for Arcola Street and Cecilia Road have the strongest support, with 57% of people agreeing. Views on the traffic changes on Cecilia Road were closely divided, with 46% agreement and 43% disagreement. For the Shacklewell Lane bus gate, 48% supported it, and 44% did not support it.

The consultation report is now available to read: Plans for Dalston Liveable Neighbourhood Consultation Report (2025)

Key Changes in Response to Your Feedback:

  • Shacklewell Road: We have listened to local residents regarding the narrowness of the street. As a result, the proposal to make Shacklewell Road two-way has been withdrawn, and it will remain one-way.

  • Montague Road: To prevent new "rat-runs" identified by residents, a new left-turn ban from Dalston Lane into Cecilia Road has been approved. 

  • Ridley Road: To protect the market from becoming a shortcut between the A10 and Pembury Circus, a new left-turn ban for vehicles exiting Ridley Road onto Dalston Lane has been approved.

Next Steps

​The next stage will be to proceed with detailed designs. Some of the detailed designs will take longer due to differences in the complexities of the designs, which is reflected in the implementation phases. 

The detailed design stage will include consideration of the best timing for the implementation of each element. This will take into account issues such as school holidays and any changes in traffic patterns which may arise as the overall scheme progresses. Discussion will also take place with TfL to see if any changes to turn bans on the A10 would help this local area.

We will continue to measure air quality, traffic levels, as part of the monitoring plan of the scheme. 

Contact us 

If you require further information or have any comments on this scheme, please contact the Hackney Customer Services by telephone on 020 8356 2897 or email streetscene.enquiries@hackney.gov.uk 

Implementation Phases

Subject to statutory consultation, the three-year programme will be delivered in three distinct phases to manage local impact and coordinate with neighbouring schemes:

Phase 1 (Starting June 2026):

  • Safety improvements: Installation of an informal pedestrian crossing at the St Mark’s Rise / Shacklewell Lane junction and ramped kerbs (raised tables) on Shacklewell Lane and Arcola Street to improve accessibility.

  • At the junction of Birkbeck Mews and Shacklewell Lane, traffic orders will be advertised to help with enforcement. No changes in traffic circulation will occur here.

  • School Streets: Implementation of timed pedestrian and cycle zones on Arcola Street between Shacklewell Lane and Dunn Street  (8:00–9:00am & 3:30–4:30pm). With exemptions for residents inside this zone.

Phase 2 (Starting September 2026)

  • School Streets: Implementation of timed pedestrian and cycle zones on Cecilia Road/ Downs Park Road (Mon–Thurs: 7:45–8:45am & 3:00–4:00pm; Fri: 7:45–8:45am & 11:45am–12:45pm).

  • Cecilia Road: Installation of diagonal traffic filters at the junctions with Downs Park Road, Sandringham Road, and Colvestone Crescent.

Phase 3 (Starting April 2027):

  • Shacklewell Lane Bus Gate: A 24-hour bus gate between Shacklewell Road and the Amhurst Road / Scoble Place junction. 

  • Area Filtering: Entry restrictions on Farleigh Road (from Amhurst Road) and Foulden Road (from Stoke Newington Road) 

  • Ridley Road Measures: Implementation of the left-turn ban onto Dalston Lane.

Frequently asked questions

Access and Exemptions

All properties remain accessible by vehicle. To support those with specific mobility needs, the HAC01 permit will grant exemptions for the Shacklewell Lane bus gate for:

  • Registered Blue Badge holders.

  • Licensed taxis transporting Taxicard holders (via a new automatic exemption pilot).

  • Emergency services and Council refuse vehicles.

Construction and traffic management 

The measures will be split into smaller works packages to ensure access for residents is maintained at all times. Before each individual component, a works notification will inform those most affected. 

All changes are subject to a statutory 21 day consultation period that will be advertised on local lamp columns and in the Hackney Gazette and London Gazette.

The improvements will require that suitable traffic management be in place for the duration of the works. Emergency access will be maintained at all times.

We apologise for any inconvenience these works may cause you. 

How can disabled car users drive through the bus gate?

Organisational and resident Blue Badge holders in Hackney can nominate a vehicle of their choice for the HAC01 permit. Vehicles with a HAC01 permit are allowed to drive through a number of traffic restrictions in the borough, including the bus gate on Shacklewell Lane.

To apply for the HAC01 permit, or find out how to apply for a Blue Badge if you don’t have one already, visit: https://hackney.gov.uk/blue-badge If you need help with your application, you can contact the mobility team by calling: 020 8356 6262

Additionally, all taxi journeys booked through the subsidised Taxicard service will be automatically exempt from the bus gate on Shacklewell Lane. For more information on Taxicards, visit: https://hackney.gov.uk/getting-around

How will the scheme be monitored?

The impact of the scheme will be monitored for a minimum of three years. Monitoring will reflect the main concerns we heard from residents during the consultation, including traffic flows, air quality, road safety, and bus journey times. Data will be used to review and adjust the scheme if unintended consequences arise.

What support is available to start cycling?

We offer a variety of free, bespoke cycle training, including: 

  • One-to-one and group learn to cycle sessions for adults, families and children 

  • Cycling improvement training

  • Specialised training for Hackney care leavers

  • Sessions for people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

To find out more about the options and book a session, visit: https://hackney.gov.uk/cycle-training 

To learn more about cycle training for individuals with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), email cycletraining@hackney.gov.uk 

You can also get your bike safety checked for free at our weekly drop-in Dr Bike sessions. For the latest event and location details, visit: https://hackney.gov.uk/cycle-training#events 

Cycle hangars, on-street, secure cycle parking storage units, are available for residents. To apply for a space, visit: https://hackney.gov.uk/cycle-hangar 

What support is available for businesses?

The Zero Emissions Network (ZEN) supports businesses in switching to sustainable transport by providing trials, leases, grants and discounts for cycles, e-bikes, cargo bikes, electric vehicles and car clubs. 

A cargo bike public hire scheme is available, which allows businesses and residents to rent a cargo bike to carry passengers or goods. Local businesses can arrange free cargo bike training through ZEN.  

https://www.zeroemissionsnetwork.com/

 

Files:

Links:

Closed 24 Aug 2025

Opened 14 Jul 2025

Contact

Streetscene

streetscene.consultations@hackney.gov.uk

Overview

Help shape plans for Dalston Liveable Neighbourhood

We are committed to creating a fairer, greener, healthier Hackney. Our vision is a borough where people can walk, wheel and shop locally, enjoy welcoming public spaces, and travel on safer, healthier streets. 

As part of this mission, we have secured nearly £3 million from Transport for London (TfL) to improve traffic and transport in the Dalston area. This funding will help us make roads safer, enhance the local environment, and support better bus services. 

We’re proposing improvements in the Dalston area which would support active, healthy lifestyles, reduce air pollution, and create a more welcoming, people-friendly neighbourhood for the community. 

Why are these changes being proposed?

Dalston East is a thriving neighbourhood, but it currently suffers from high levels of through-traffic and unsafe road conditions.

More Information

  • Over 10,000 vehicles pass through Shacklewell Lane each day
  • More than 9,000 vehicles use St Mark’s Rise daily, and 40% of them don’t stop in the area, using it as a shortcut
  • The neighbourhood is surrounded by busy through roads, leading to a high number of collisions, especially at junctions
  • Ridley Road Market visitors have to negotiate fast-moving, noisy and polluting traffic 
  • Car ownership is low - only around 30% of households own a car, one of the lowest rates in the UK
  • Walking is by far the most common way people get around, and we want to make it safer, easier and more enjoyable
  • Cycling is also popular, but current conditions need improvement

Dalston travel survey 

In 2023, we asked residents and businesses in the area to complete a travel survey to help us understand local people’s travel habits and views. More than 700 people responded.

Here's what we learnt

  • 70% of residents support improving walking, cycling and air quality, even if it might lengthen motor vehicle journeys by a few minutes
  • Almost 90% of non-car owners would support these improvements, and 57% of car owners would also support this
  • Walking is by far the most common way people travel in the local area
  • Nearly two-thirds of respondents walk, cycle or use a manual wheelchair for at least 20 minutes a day

Our aims

  • Make cycling and walking safer and easier in Dalston and the surrounding area
  • Improve journey times for buses and ambulances
  • Reduce traffic in the area
  • Improve the area as a place to visit and shop, including on market day

What are the proposals?

The proposals are shown in this drawing

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The proposals explained

  1. A 24-hour bus gate on Shacklewell Lane 

To reduce the number of vehicles using Shacklewell Lane as a shortcut between Kingsland High Street and Amhurst Road, we’re proposing a 24-hour bus gate between Shacklewell Road and Scoble Place.

More Information

This would prioritise passage for buses and emergency vehicles, and improve conditions for walking and cycling. This means that most Other (non-exempt) vehicles would not be able to pass through the bus gate on Shacklewell Lane to and from Amhurst Road. 

Vehicles would still be able to enter Shacklewell Lane from Kingsland High Street. 

At the bus gate, we would add more greenery and public space improvements, such as widening the footpath with high-quality surfacing.

A camera would be used to enforce the bus gate and allow easy passage for buses,  emergency services, cyclists and pedestrians. Other exemptions would include Council refuse vehicles and HAC01 permits, including eligible blue badge and Taxicard holders. An appeals process would apply for other emergency situations.

  1. Traffic management measures on residential streets

To prevent through-traffic from cutting through other parts of this area, we would introduce new traffic management measures on the following streets:

Cecilia Road

Diagonal traffic diverters would be installed at the junctions of Downs Park, Sandringham Road, and Colvestone Cresent. These would allow vehicles to turn left or right at these junctions, but not continue straight through. Buses and emergency services would be exempt. 

Example of a diagonal Filter:

Foulden Road

Traffic filters to prevent vehicles turning in from and turning left out onto the
A10 (Stoke Newington Road).

Farleigh Road

Similar traffic filters would be installed to prevent vehicles from entering from or turning left out onto Amhurst Road.

These changes would help prevent through traffic from taking shortcuts through the area, reduce speeds on local roads, and create more space for improvements such as greenery or wider footpaths. Emergency vehicles and council refuse vehicles would be exempt.

Ridley Road

To prevent a shortcut developing between the A10 and Pembury Circus, which would make pedestrian access to Ridley Road Market more difficult, we propose a left turn ban for vehicles exiting Ridley Road onto Dalston Lane. All existing access points to the market would remain, as well as all existing parking spaces. 

Shacklewell Road

Would be made two-way to help local access. 

 

  1. School Streets

To make the area outside local schools safer at pick-up and drop-off times, we’re proposing new School Streets in the following locations: 

  • Outside Halley House School (Arcola Street) 
  • Adjacent to the Excelsior Academy (Cecilia Road) 

More Information

This would mean that most motor traffic would not be permitted to enter during school drop-off and pick-up hours on school days during term times.

Emergency services and Council refuse vehicles would be exempt. Permits would be introduced for people who live within the zone or have a special need to be there.

School Streets are already in place at over 50 schools in Hackney, helping over 20,000 pupils get to school safely and sustainably.  

As part of this programme, we want to provide more outdoor space for children and young people to socialise and play. We propose restricting a short section of road at the Shacklewell Lane end of Arcola Street to support this. Access to Arcola Street would be available only from the A10 direction, with a closure at the Shacklewell Lane end.

  1. Help us map street improvements in Dalston

We have secured an additional £350,000 Healthy Streets funding from TfL to make Dalston’s streets more accessible, sustainable and attractive. 

To help us determine how to best use this additional funding, we want to hear your views on what other improvements you’d like to see. 

Improvements might include play features for children, seating, trees for shade, cycle hire or parking bays, flood prevention measures, and green spaces.

Based on feedback from the Dalston Plan, a major planning and regeneration project shaped by the local community, we’ve identified two focus areas for potential investment:

  • Arcola Street and Shacklewell Lane junction 
  • St Mark’s Rise and Ridley Road junction 

Have your say

Share your ideas for improvements in question 7 of the survey.

All suggestions will be assessed and prioritised for feasibility and benefits.

There will be more opportunities to help shape the designs, through pop-ups and various enagagement events. For updates, visit the consultation page: consultation.hackney.gov.uk 

To read more about the Dalston Plan, visit: https://hackney.gov.uk/dalston-spd 

Colvestone Crescent - public space improvements

We are also seeking feedback on proposals to improve Colvestone Crescent, from house number 2 up to Time Square, as part of a smaller local scheme. Proposals include introducing a pedestrian and cycle zone, cycle stands, and a play area, as well as rain gardens to help reduce flooding risk and filter pollution.

To find out more and have your say on the proposals, visit: bit.ly/colvestone

Pembury Circus works

Following consultation in 2024, works to transform Amhurst Road and Pembury Circus began in February 2025. Some of the changes will affect areas within the Dalston Liveable Neighbourhood, including Sigdon Road and Dalston Lane. We are considering any cumulative impacts from both projects in these areas. For more information, visit:https://hackney.gov.uk/amhurst-road-pembury-circus

Frequently asked questions

Would I still be able to drive to my home or business if the proposals are implemented?

While some routes will be different, this proposal has been designed to maintain existing access to all properties at all times. The aim is to encourage active and sustainable travel where possible for short local journeys, and to maintain full access for emergency services, council refuse vehicles, and people with disabilities using the free HAC01 permit.

What measures would be in place to monitor the impact of the changes on traffic and air quality? 

We would monitor the impact on air quality if the proposal is implemented. Our modelling suggests that there would be less traffic on Shacklewell Lane and Cecilia Road, a very small increase in traffic on Amhurst Road in the westbound direction, and Dalston Lane in the westbound direction.

We would work with TfL to improve bus services on routes 236 and 488, following the introduction of the bus gate on Shacklewell Lane, which is designed to improve bus journey times.

For more information on air quality monitoring locations and results, visit: hackney.gov.uk/air-quality 

Accessibility statement

If you require this information in a different format, please email: consultation@hackney.gov.uk 

We will consider your request and get back to you in five working days.

You can also find downloadable versions of this information and the consultation survey below.

Why your views matter

The survey is open until 24 August 2025 to gather feedback on the proposals. 

Your views will be taken into account as part of the detailed design process  and will help determine where the future funding is spent.

We will publish the consultation results as well as the decisions made at: consultation.hackney.gov.uk    

Subject to this consultation and statutory processes, we would aim to begin implementation of the proposals in autumn 2025.

For further information on this proposal, please contact the Hackney Service Centre by calling 020 8356 2897 or by emailing: streetscene.consultations@hackney.gov.uk 

 

What happens next

The survey was open until 24th August 2025 to gather feedback on the proposals. 

All views will be taken into account as part of the detailed design process and will help determine where the future funding is spent.

We will publish the consultation results as well as the decisions made at: consultation.hackney.gov.uk    

Subject to this consultation and statutory processes, we would aim to begin implementation of the proposals in autumn 2025

For further information on this proposal, please contact the Hackney Service Centre by calling 020 8356 2897 or by emailing: streetscene.consultations@hackney.gov.uk 

Events

Interests

  • Traffic and transportation