FAQs

Our aim is to make it easier and safer for local people to get around by active and sustainable modes of travel such as public transport, walking, cycling and wheeling, while also improving the look and feel of the area, and making the area greener and healthier.

In response to concerns from some residents regarding the impact of traffic in the Fulbourne–Forest Road area, we are engaging with the community to develop solutions to address their feedback and meet local needs.

We’ve devised two traffic management options for the area to gather people’s thoughts. We will use the feedback gathered during the early engagement period to review the responses received and develop a plan based on the project aims, traffic investigations and your feedback.   

We are asking for feedback about the area bounded by Brookscroft Road, Fulbourne Road, Forest Road, Spruce Hills Road, and Sturge Avenue. Our aim is to create a safer, quieter, and more pleasant neighbourhood for everyone who lives or travels through the area.

Yes. While this engagement focuses on the area bounded by Brookscroft Road, Fulbourne Road, Forest Road, Spruce Hills Road and Sturge Avenue, you can also provide comments about nearby streets. Please use this link to comment on streets outside the scheme area: https://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/neighbourhoods/report-neighbourhood-problems

As part of early engagement, we’ve devised two traffic management options for the area to gather people’s thoughts. These will be advertised through social media, on-street posters and leaflets. We are also reaching out to key community groups and schools.

We have also organised a drop-in at Frederick Bremer School on Thursday 16 July, from 4:30pm - 7pm where you can come and speak to the project team to find out more about the scheme and ask any questions you may have.

Local people can fill in the survey online. If you would prefer to fill in a hardcopy survey, you can email or write to us using the contact details at the bottom of this page to request a paper copy of the survey or call 020 8496 5221 and leave a voicemail requesting a paper copy to be sent to you.

Updates will be posted on our website and the Let’s Talk Fulbourne – Forest area improvements page.

You can request a paper copy of the survey by emailing or writing to us, or by calling 020 8496 5221 and leaving a voicemail requesting a paper copy to be sent to you.

Yes. The project webpage includes a “Translate this page” option. If you need the information in another format, such as large print, you can contact us using the details provided in the leaflet or on the project webpage.

No. If a scheme is introduced, it would initially be delivered on an experimental basis using temporary materials. We would then monitor how it works, including traffic data and feedback from residents and local stakeholders, before deciding whether to make changes permanent, amend the scheme, or remove it.

No final decision has been made. After the engagement period closes, we will review all feedback and develop a plan for the area. We aim to write to residents with the results and next steps later in 2026.

Once the consultation has ended, we’ll look at all the responses received and develop a final plan/option for the area. We aim to write to residents with more information on the results and the next steps later in 2026.

More information and regular updates on the scheme can also be found on our website.

Modal filters are installed at key locations to stop motorised vehicles from driving through, while allowing people who walk and cycle to pass. They can include physical barriers such as bollards and planters as well as enforcement cameras. Modal filters are used to stop motorists using the area to bypass the main roads. All properties on the road remain fully accessible for residents, emergency services, and deliveries.

Continuous footways slow down vehicles entering or exiting side roads and encourage vehicles to give way to pedestrians crossing the road, reinforcing the rules of the Highway Code. These crossings are commonplace in mainland Europe and have been introduced extensively over the last 20-25 years, particularly in cities and countries that are considered the best places for walking and cycling, including Holland, Denmark and Germany. Over the last 10 years we have introduced over 200 continuous footways in Waltham Forest.

Option A would use modal filters to prevent motorists from using local streets as shortcuts, while still allowing people walking and cycling to pass through. This is likely to reduce through-traffic more effectively, but some driving routes would change, and some parking spaces would need to be removed. Option B would change the direction of traffic flow on some streets to better manage movement and reduce vehicle conflict on narrow roads. This may improve traffic flow, but it is less likely to reduce traffic volumes or speeds to the same extent as modal filters. In some cases, one-way streets can result in increased traffic speeds as there are no opposing vehicles.

Under Option A, some parking spaces would need to be removed to accommodate modal filters and ensure vehicles have enough space to turn around safely. We currently estimate this would result in the loss of 10 parking spaces. If further turning space is required, up to four additional parking bays may also need to be removed. We will review this further as the design develops and will consider feedback received during the engagement period.

Passing spaces are short sections of the street kept clear so that vehicles travelling in opposite directions can pass each other more safely on narrow roads. They can help reduce situations where drivers block each other, mount the pavement, or reverse long distances. In streets with high parking demand, creating passing spaces may require changes to parking arrangements, which would be considered carefully as part of the design process.

Green infrastructure and public realm improvements are changes that make streets more attractive, greener and more pleasant to use. This could include features such as planting, trees, rain gardens, planters, seating, wider or improved footways, and better use of public space. These improvements can help make the area look and feel better, support biodiversity, improve drainage, and create a more welcoming environment for walking, wheeling and cycling.

Yes. The proposals are not intended to stop residents, businesses, visitors or deliveries from accessing properties. However, depending on the option taken forward, some driving routes in and out of the area may change. We will provide more detailed information on access arrangements as designs develop.

Access for emergency services is a key consideration in the design of any traffic scheme. We are discussing the proposals with emergency services as the design develops. Where camera-enforced filters are used, emergency vehicles can be exempted so they can continue to access streets when needed.

Some driving routes may change, particularly under Option A.

We know that traffic displacement is a concern for some residents and scheme specific data collected over the last 110 years has shown that the impact on the surrounding road network, particularly the main roads, varies on a scheme-by-scheme and area-by-area basis. In some areas there has been an initial impact on the surrounding road network, and in others there has not, based on the data we have collected. In most areas we see an overall reduction in traffic volumes across the area (taking all roads into consideration) suggesting an overall change in travel behaviour and switch to different travel modes, but the overall reduction level depends upon the area in question as elements such as size, location, road layout, local businesses, schools, amenities, etc, all have an impact on how people may travel to or around these areas.  

As part of the process, we would monitor traffic levels before after any experimental scheme is introduced to understand how traffic patterns change. Feedback from residents, businesses and other stakeholders would also be considered before any decision is made on whether to make the scheme permanent.

Some journeys by car may change depending on which option is taken forward. Under Option A, some routes in and out of the area would change more significantly because modal filters would prevent through-traffic. Under Option B, routes would also change where one-way arrangements are introduced, but generally to a lesser extent.

Where appropriate, we are considering contra-flow cycling so that people cycling can travel in both directions, even where motor traffic is one-way. This can help cyclists take more direct routes while still managing motor traffic movement.

Access for deliveries, waste collection, servicing and maintenance vehicles would be considered as part of the design. Properties would remain accessible, although some routes may change depending on the option taken forward.

The greening and public space improvements are designed to work alongside the wider traffic changes. In some locations, these improvements depend on changes to how the street operates, such as reducing traffic volumes, improving road safety, or creating space by changing layouts.

The funding we receive to deliver highway and transport improvements often comes with specific criteria and conditions as to what it can and cannot be spent on. This means schemes need to include a range of measures, including elements that help reduce traffic and make streets safer and easier to use for walking, wheeling and cycling. For this reason, the greening and public space improvements would only be delivered as part of the wider proposed scheme.

To support nearby development works, Clifford Road has temporarily been made one-way northbound. This arrangement is expected to remain in place for approximately 18 months and is separate from the wider Fulbourne–Forest area improvement proposals.