Woodberry Wetlands to Walthamstow Wetlands Clapton Common Proposals

Overview

The Council is committed to improving the quality of life for people who live and work in the borough. To achieve this, the Council will from time to time fund projects that encourage people to enjoy the green spaces in and around the borough.

With this in mind, the Council has obtained some funding from the Mayor of London’s Big Green Fund to help kick start a 3km long walking and cycling greenway to link Woodberry Wetlands in Hackney with Walthamstow Wetlands in Waltham Forest.

The Woodberry Wetlands reserve is based at the East Reservoir which is home to birds such as Reed Bunting, Song Thrush, Kingfisher and the occasional Bittern. It also provides valuable foraging and roosting habitat for bats.

The Walthamstow Wetlands consist of ten reservoirs positioned in the heart of the Lee Valley. The site is highly important for biodiversity, and in particular a wide range of bird life.

Both wetlands have remained closed to the public since their construction in the 19th Century and will shortly be opened to the public for the first time.

The greenway will encourage visitors to walk or cycle between the wetlands by linking parks, marshland, quiet roads and towpaths, avoiding busy roads such as Amhurst Park and Seven Sisters Road. The greenway will be linked to several other quiet way routes to Central London, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Walthamstow.

This consultation seeks the views of local residents on proposals for Clapton Common.

Why your views matter

Proposals

The proposals at Clapton Common include:

1. Installing a cycle path at the closed section of Clapton Common as part of a quiet route between Woodberry Wetlands and Walthamstow Wetlands.
2. Introducing a tree lined soft verge next to the cycle path.
3. Refurbishing the existing pavements next to the cycle path using standard paving materials.
4. Installing entry treatment tables with gentle ramps at both ends of the cycle path.
5. Replacing the old concrete bollards and railings that mark the parks / highway boundary with granite kerbs.
6. Re advertising the ‘prohibition of entry’ order for the closed section between Overlea Road and the side road entrance to Buccleuch House.
7. Installing wayfinding signs and branding along the whole route.

The section of Clapton Common outside Buccleuch House was closed to vehicles for a considerable period of time but more recently was re-opened to allow temporary access for construction works. The Council has not enforced against vehicles parking in this area during the temporary period but the intention is to re-close the area to vehicles as per the original car-free area to better integrate the Common and improve safety for pedestrians/cyclists accessing the school.

Other proposals along the Wetlands to Wetlands route

Consultation is in progress for proposals at Newnton Close where a walking and cycling path will be installed as part of this route.

Subject to approval, these improvements will be implemented during the 2015 /16 year.

What happens next

Your views will be taken into account as part of the detailed design process. Works are expected to start in January 2016 should we get a positive response