New North Road and East Road - Proposed pedestrian safety improvements

Overview

Help shape the future of New North Road and East Road

The Council is committed to increasing pedestrian crossings in the borough. The following outlines our proposals to improve road safety and enhance the area along New North Road and East Road, from Poole Street to City Road.

What impact would the scheme have?

Why are these changes being proposed?

Roads and streets make up the largest part of the public space of the city. Our aim is to make them more than just places to park, drive, walk and cycle. We want them to be the most attractive and welcoming neighbourhoods in London by designing them to be safer, healthier and more accessible.

We have received a number of complaints from residents about speeding vehicles and a lack of safe places to cross New North Road and East Road.

Currently, pedestrians are often forced to cross at uncontrolled and unsuitable locations, making it difficult to get around. These proposals seek to introduce safer crossing paths to protect pedestrians and provide accessible routes across the area.

These changes are part of Hackney’s long-term commitment to transforming local streets into safer, more attractive, and liveable spaces.

What are the proposals?

We are proposing to introduce the following changes, which are also illustrated in the drawing below.

Speed tables installed at regular intervals along New North Road and East Road to keep traffic at the speed limit whilst maintaining a smooth ride for bus passengers.

Example of a raised table. All photos with the exception of the Westminster ‘side road crossing’ were taken by Hackney Council's Streetscene team

Introducing side road zebra crossing to give pedestrians priority and slow down traffic at busy junctions. Side road zebra crossings use standard black-and- white markings and give-way lines. They do not require zig-zag markings and Belisha beacons (flashing yellow globe lamps mounted on black-and-white poles). 

Example of a side road zebra crossing in Westminster (Photo credit: Westminster Council)

Introducing raised entry treatments on all side roads where this measure has not yet been implemented. By bringing side roads up to footway level, this measure aims to reduce vehicle speeds and enhance safety. A raised entry treatment is a traffic-calming and pedestrian-safety feature where a side road’s carriageway is elevated to match the level of the pavement at its junction with a main road.

Example of a raised entry treatment 

Installing new raised zebra crossings outside Parr Court on New North Road and outside The Spectrum building on East Road to slow down traffic and give pedestrians a safe crossing point.  

Example of a raised zebra crossing

Installing new raised uncontrolled crossings outside Nevitt House on New North Road, 81–83 East Road and Truscott House on East Road. Uncontrolled crossings are a pedestrian crossing point that is built on a raised platform but does not have traffic signals, zebra crossing markings, or other formal controls directing vehicles to stop. It helps slow down approaching traffic and creates a more visible place for pedestrians to cross.     

Example of an uncontrolled crossing

Introducing raised blended junction improvements at the junction of Nile Street with Allerton Street. A blended crossing junction is where the carriageway is brought to the footway at a similar level, creating a more continuous route for pedestrians while still allowing vehicles to pass through.

Example of a blended crossing

Introducing continuous footways extending the footway across the side road to create a more continuous route for pedestrians, while still allowing vehicles to pass through.

Example of a continuous footway

Creating Rain Gardens with low-level plants to improve the look and feel of the local environment. These are designed to reduce rainwater run-off into the drainage system and reduce flooding risk by increasing natural drainage to filter pollution and help improve air quality. 

Example of a rain garden

Planting new trees in targeted areas to improve the urban landscape and support better air quality. 

Repaving the footway on the east side of East Road, between Bevenden Street and Chart Street, and introducing new greenery to make the area safer, more pleasant, and easier to move around. 

Improving lighting at key locations to enhance visibility, help people feel safer at night, and discourage anti-social behaviour.

Creating a new loading bay outside Marten House on East Road to provide a designated area for delivery to load and unload goods safely.

Changing the slip road between Vestry Street and Nile Street to cycle only access and create additional green space.

Proposal Drawings/Map

Have your say

Your feedback as local residents, businesses and visitors to the area is essential in shaping the final designs. It will ensure the improvements respond to the needs of the community. 

Please complete the Survey, following the link below.

If you need a hard copy or digital version of this consultation, you can:

1. Download the consultation booklet below.

2. Pick up a paper copy of the survey at Shoreditch Library, and return it by post using the FREEPOST envelope provided.

The deadline for responses is 6 December 2026. 

What happens next?

Your views will be taken into account as part of the detailed design process. We will publish the consultation results as well as the decisions made at https://bit.ly/new-north-road-and-east-road

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

Proposed works

Subject to this consultation and the relevant statutory processes, we aim to start the works in phases from March 2027. This will ensure the improvements are managed effectively within available resources. 

Information

Why your views matter

Your feedback as local residents, businesses and visitors to the area is essential in shaping the final designs to ensure the improvements are well-informed for the needs of the community.