Walford Road low traffic neighbourhood

In 2020, we introduced several traffic filters, a type of road closure that permits cyclists, waste and emergency vehicles to pass through, as a trial in the Walford Road area – to help reduce through-traffic, and encourage people to walk and cycle locally. 

All properties in the area can still be accessed by car, but through-traffic is prevented.

These restrictions were introduced in Nevill Road, Clonbrock Road and Allen Road. 

Making the low traffic neighbourhood permanent

The filters were introduced on a trial basis for 18 months, with residents able to have their say online or in writing during that period. We have now looked at comments from residents alongside traffic and air quality monitoring from the area, and have made a decision to retain these traffic filters permanently. 

View the detailed decision report and other documents:

Comments from residents

  • 811 responses were received from residents
  • 53% of responses said all or some of the measures should be made permanent. 46% said none of the measures should be made permanent
  • Of those in the local postcode (N16), 55% said all or some of the measures should be made permanent
  • Among non-motorists, 78% said all or some of the measures should be made permanent. 

Traffic monitoring

Traffic levels inside the Walford Road area decreased by 32% after its implementation. 

Traffic levels on boundary roads increased by 2%, however this monitoring does not incorporate reductions in traffic on Albion Road or Stoke Newington Church Street since the Stoke Newington low traffic neighbourhood was introduced. 

Air quality 

In the Walford Road area, air quality is likely to have improved as a result of the significant reduction in traffic levels. 

The monitoring data in the table below suggests that there has been a decline in nitrogen dioxide pollution along these boundary roads. Although we cannot say this decline is due to the implementation of the scheme, it is likely that the Walford Road scheme has not led to a worsening of nitrogen dioxide pollution along these roads. These do not take into account the introduction of the Stoke Newington low traffic neighbourhood in 2021. 

Monitored NO2 annual mean concentrations at representative locations to ATCs within the Walford Road area

The national air quality objective for nitrogen dioxide is 40g/m3.

Diffusion Tube Location / Road NO2 Annual Mean (40µg/m3)
Modelled ‘2019 baseline’ Monitored 2019 Monitored 2020 
St Mary’s 2 St Mary’s C of E Primary School playground closest to Stoke Newington Church Street 30.8 26 20
St Mary’s 3 St Mary’s C of E Primary School, Barn Street 24 19
St Mary’s 4  St Mary’s C of E Primary School facade of building closest to Stoke Newington Church Street 39.2 34 24
William Patten 1 Lancell Street 26 21
William Patten 2 William Patten Primary School playground boundary with Stoke Newington Church Street  45 30
William Patten 4 William Patten Primary School facade of building facing Stoke Newington Church Street 30 30
William Patten 5  William Patten Primary School facade of building closest to Stoke Newington Church Street 35 27 20
William Patten 6  Side of William Patten Primary School building facade off Church Newington Church Street 30.9 26 19
Temp Bus Stop Roadside of Stoke Newington Church Street outside infants area of William Patten Primary School 49 34
Stoke Newington High Street Junction of Stoke Newington High Street with Stoke Newington Church Street 63 52
Princess May 1 Princess May Primary School playground boundary with Princess May Road  27 20
Princess May 2 Princess May Primary School playground boundary with Stoke Newington High Street 44 31
Princess May 5 Princess May Primary School facade closest to Stoke Newington Church Street 25 20
Wordsworth Road  St Matthia’s Primary School playground boundary with Wordsworth Road 26 20
Cowper Road 54, Cowper Road  24 18
Grasmere 1 Grasmere Primary School playground boundary with Albion Road 41 36

We are continuing to listen to feedback about the scheme.

You can email streetscene.enquiries@hackney.gov.uk with any comments.

Page updated on: 2 December 2022