Ravey Street - Proposed Public Realm Improvements

Overview

Help us improve Ravey Street

This webpage outlines proposals to transform Ravey Street into a high-quality public space.

Why are these changes being proposed?

These proposals form part of the long term vision for streets in Shoreditch and Hoxton which reflect our aspirations for this thriving and dynamic area of London. We want to create streets that are safe, easy to walk or cycle on, reduce vehicle dominance and help to improve air quality.

The Council’s Transport Strategy recognises that roads and streets in our neighbourhoods are not just places to park vehicles or drive, walk and cycle on; they make up the largest element of the public realm of the city and are the places where we socialise and live our lives. We would like to transform Hackney’s neighbourhoods into the most attractive and liveable neighbourhoods in London. This aspiration can only be achieved by reducing the dominance of the private vehicle primarily through managing on-street parking and reducing traffic flows.

We recognise the detrimental impact of air pollution in the City Fringe. Air pollution is responsible for the early death of approximately 10,000 Londoners each year and causes alarming rates of asthma and other respiratory illnesses in children. This has led to us creating a Low Emission Neighbourhood (LEN) in the City Fringe, made possible through funding partly from the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund. This scheme is part of a package of measures focussed on reducing emissions and promoting sustainable travel to improve local air quality.

The approach we are taking includes a series of schemes intended to improve walking and cycling conditions within Shoreditch and Hoxton. Works to improve the environment for pedestrians while enhancing public realm have recently been completed at Pitfield Street Triangle and Worship Square while similar works to enhance the public realm and make it easier, safer and more pleasant to walk and cycle are currently being implemented at New Inn Broadway.

Ravey Street is one of the schemes which aims to contribute to making Shoreditch and Hoxton a more liveable and healthy place to live, work and enjoy. All the schemes mentioned above aim to:

• reduce levels of pollution
• reduce potential road accidents
• make it easier and safer to walk and cycle
• improve the character of the area for all residents and businesses, and change the way the roads feel, look and are used by planting more trees, introducing seating and surfacing footways with high quality materials

What are the proposals?

We are proposing to transform the section of Ravey Street between the junctions with Leonard Street and Willow Street. We propose to create a distinct and attractive street with trees, high quality paving across the pavement areas and a raised junction table at the intersection of Ravey and Willow Street with level surface and less carriageway space which will increase pedestrian space.

These proposals aim to improve the way this space looks and feels, making the public realm more pedestrian friendly. We believe that making the environment safer and more attractive encourages walking. Should the proposals be implemented following consultation, we would also be intending to install cycle stands to facilitate the anticipated increase in demand for cycle parking.

The proposed scheme will include new trees that will contribute to a relaxing environment and a greener, friendlier character to the space.

At the junction of Ravey Street with Leonard Street we propose to install a blended crossing. Blended crossings are designed to slow down vehicles when entering or exiting side roads and encourage vehicles to give way to pedestrians crossing the road, reinforcing the rules of the Highway Code.

Bicycles and vehicles will still be allowed to use the street after the works are completed.

Creating a high quality space and planting trees and greenery will result in the loss of a maximum of three car parking spaces along Willow Street.

For details of the proposals please refer to the drawing.

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

Permanent works

If the scheme goes ahead, following consultation, we expect construction works to start towards the end of May 2021 with completion in about eight weeks. Further information regarding the works will be sent out closer to the time.