Buxton Road Play Street and Mural

We are creating a new play street in Buxton Road, as part of the Walthamstow ‘Culture for All’ Government Funded Programme to improve Walthamstow High Street and Market, making it safer, more inclusive, more active, and greener for the local community. A series of community engagement events were carried out throughout 2024 and early 2025 to inform the project proposal.

The project forms part of the High Street Phase 2 segment of the ‘Walthamstow Culture for All’ programme.

Students from Mission Grove School have worked with us to develop ideas for informal play opportunities, and a safer route to and from school. These improvement works are due to be undertaken in late 2026

If you would like to learn more about the Buxton Road Play Street and Mural, please refer to the information below.

What’s Planned for Buxton Road

In 2024, the council trialed a temporary play street on Mission Grove, used by Mission Grove Primary School. The London Play event was well received and helped us gather ideas from children and parents about what would make their journey to school safer and more enjoyable. These insights shaped the development of a permanent Play Street, now proposed for Buxton Road, where it can be delivered without affecting essential vehicle access on Mission Grove.

Play street test concept on Mission Grove, May 2024


Overview of Buxton Road Play Street :

The Buxton Road play street will create a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environment that blends playful spaces with areas for rest and relaxation for all ages. The design introduces new in‑ground planting, trees, seating, and improved lighting, alongside a colourful thermoplastic play trail linking the High Street to Mission Grove School. Children will enjoy accessible pockets of play, complemented by a new mural that celebrates the identity and character of the local area. Vehicle access will be retained up to the hairdresser at 1 Buxton Road, while the southern section is to become pedestrianised. The scheme maintains existing market stall arrangements with vehicle entry to the High Street via Mission Grove and exit via Carlsbrooke Road or Pretoria Avenue. The plans for the Play Street were shared in August 25 and included an online survey and in-person engagement event. The scheme also completed a consultation for a Traffic Management Order in Autumn 25.


What are the benefits?

✅ Better layout – More space for pedestrians to enhance safety and accessibility.

✅ Space for play – Creation of a safe place for children to play including inclusive play spaces and play equipment.

✅ Improved appearance – New high-quality materials to improve the appearance of the space.

✅ Increasing green space – Planting including new trees to create a healthier, greener space, which has greater biodiversity and is more climate resilient.

✅ Public artwork – A new mural celebrating the identity and character of the area.

✅ Upgraded street furniture – New lighting, benches and seats to create more welcoming places for people to sit, and improved cycle parking.


The above board shows the initial design ideas, which was used in both in live and online public engagement.


About the Public Engagement Survey

To ensure a wide range of voices were heard, the consultation was shared widely. This included 500 letters to local residents, 34 letters to nearby businesses, an online survey, and social media promotion. An in‑person drop‑in event was held at the Mill Community Centre on 20 August. The consultation was additionally featured in Residents’ News and shared with market traders.


What We Heard

The consultation showed clear overall support, with around two thirds of respondents in favour of the proposals.

Responses focused on the improved public spaces, better lighting, more planting, and safer routes for walking and cycling. Suggestions tended to refine and enhance the proposals rather than oppose them, demonstrating a constructive and forward looking attitude. Some concerns regarding parking and access were raised by residents - these were consulted on formally via the TMO process following the engagement.

Main construction works are scheduled to begin in later in 2026, with the mural scheduled to be delivered in Spring 2026.


Buxton Road Mural

In November 2025, the council invited expressions of interest from established local artists to design and deliver a new mural. We are pleased to announce we have appointed local artist Alisa Ruzavina was appointed in December 2025. Alisa is an experienced engagement artist who has previously worked in the borough on the Flags of Our High Street Treasures project.

In February 2026, Alisa ran workshops with Mission Grove Primary School’s Arts Councillors, students selected for their interest in the arts. Their ideas and creativity will directly shape the final mural design, which is due for installation by April 2026.


Alisa Ruzavina’s workshop with Mission Grove Primary School Arts Councillors, Feb 2026






We are creating a new play street in Buxton Road, as part of the Walthamstow ‘Culture for All’ Government Funded Programme to improve Walthamstow High Street and Market, making it safer, more inclusive, more active, and greener for the local community. A series of community engagement events were carried out throughout 2024 and early 2025 to inform the project proposal.

The project forms part of the High Street Phase 2 segment of the ‘Walthamstow Culture for All’ programme.

Students from Mission Grove School have worked with us to develop ideas for informal play opportunities, and a safer route to and from school. These improvement works are due to be undertaken in late 2026

If you would like to learn more about the Buxton Road Play Street and Mural, please refer to the information below.

What’s Planned for Buxton Road

In 2024, the council trialed a temporary play street on Mission Grove, used by Mission Grove Primary School. The London Play event was well received and helped us gather ideas from children and parents about what would make their journey to school safer and more enjoyable. These insights shaped the development of a permanent Play Street, now proposed for Buxton Road, where it can be delivered without affecting essential vehicle access on Mission Grove.

Play street test concept on Mission Grove, May 2024


Overview of Buxton Road Play Street :

The Buxton Road play street will create a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environment that blends playful spaces with areas for rest and relaxation for all ages. The design introduces new in‑ground planting, trees, seating, and improved lighting, alongside a colourful thermoplastic play trail linking the High Street to Mission Grove School. Children will enjoy accessible pockets of play, complemented by a new mural that celebrates the identity and character of the local area. Vehicle access will be retained up to the hairdresser at 1 Buxton Road, while the southern section is to become pedestrianised. The scheme maintains existing market stall arrangements with vehicle entry to the High Street via Mission Grove and exit via Carlsbrooke Road or Pretoria Avenue. The plans for the Play Street were shared in August 25 and included an online survey and in-person engagement event. The scheme also completed a consultation for a Traffic Management Order in Autumn 25.


What are the benefits?

✅ Better layout – More space for pedestrians to enhance safety and accessibility.

✅ Space for play – Creation of a safe place for children to play including inclusive play spaces and play equipment.

✅ Improved appearance – New high-quality materials to improve the appearance of the space.

✅ Increasing green space – Planting including new trees to create a healthier, greener space, which has greater biodiversity and is more climate resilient.

✅ Public artwork – A new mural celebrating the identity and character of the area.

✅ Upgraded street furniture – New lighting, benches and seats to create more welcoming places for people to sit, and improved cycle parking.


The above board shows the initial design ideas, which was used in both in live and online public engagement.


About the Public Engagement Survey

To ensure a wide range of voices were heard, the consultation was shared widely. This included 500 letters to local residents, 34 letters to nearby businesses, an online survey, and social media promotion. An in‑person drop‑in event was held at the Mill Community Centre on 20 August. The consultation was additionally featured in Residents’ News and shared with market traders.


What We Heard

The consultation showed clear overall support, with around two thirds of respondents in favour of the proposals.

Responses focused on the improved public spaces, better lighting, more planting, and safer routes for walking and cycling. Suggestions tended to refine and enhance the proposals rather than oppose them, demonstrating a constructive and forward looking attitude. Some concerns regarding parking and access were raised by residents - these were consulted on formally via the TMO process following the engagement.

Main construction works are scheduled to begin in later in 2026, with the mural scheduled to be delivered in Spring 2026.


Buxton Road Mural

In November 2025, the council invited expressions of interest from established local artists to design and deliver a new mural. We are pleased to announce we have appointed local artist Alisa Ruzavina was appointed in December 2025. Alisa is an experienced engagement artist who has previously worked in the borough on the Flags of Our High Street Treasures project.

In February 2026, Alisa ran workshops with Mission Grove Primary School’s Arts Councillors, students selected for their interest in the arts. Their ideas and creativity will directly shape the final mural design, which is due for installation by April 2026.


Alisa Ruzavina’s workshop with Mission Grove Primary School Arts Councillors, Feb 2026