High Street Planting and Seating

To improve accessibility, comfort and the appearance of Walthamstow High Street as part of the High Street Improvements Phase 2, a series of spaces along the High Street have been selected to install new planting and seating. These spaces provide new, welcoming areas where people can stop, rest and spend time, helping to make the High Street more inclusive and enjoyable for everyone.

Map showing locations of new planting and seating areas.


These spaces include a mix of new high-quality seating alongside planters filled with trees and drought resistant planting bringing more greenery to the town centre, supporting biodiversity and creating shade.

These improvements form part of the ‘Walthamstow: Culture for All’ programme High Street Phase 2 works which is funded by UK Government using the Local Regeneration Fund.


What’s changing?

Following engagement with residents, businesses and market traders the following locations along the High Street were selected for greening improvement:

  • Between Pretoria Avenue to Carisbrooke Road – a series of new planters and seating.
  • Buxton Road junction – new planters and seating to replace existing benches.
  • Between Buxton Road and Mission Grove – new planters and seating.
  • High Street entrance to 17&Central Mall – new planters, seating and bike stands
  • Walthamstow Library – new seating to replace existing benches.


Walthamstow High Street and Market, May 2025. The high street entrance to 17&Central is one of the locations where new planting and seating will be installed in 2026. Image credit: Dead Ready Productions.


What to expect?

  • Installation works will started in August 2026 and will complete in Autumn 2026.
  • Site works will be phased to minimise disruption with works mainly occurring on Mondays during this period to avoid disruption to Walthamstow Market.
  • Businesses will remain open as usual with no changes to vehicle access.
  • Updates will be provided on the Let’s Talk.

We appreciate your patience and co-operation during this period.

Should you have any further questions on the project or upcoming works, please contact the Area Regeneration team at regeneration@walthamforest.gov.uk


Phase 2 High Street planting will expand on the planting already carried out during the Phase 1 works photographed here in 2026. Image credit: Meristem Design.


What are the benefits?

New seating will provide opportunities for people to sit and rest increasing accessibility and inclusiveness, making it possible for more people to access the High Street and market on foot. Providing resting points should increase overall footfall to support High Street businesses and market traders. Additional planting along the High Street will also help create healthier and more biodiverse streets, as well as providing shade and improving the appearance of the High Street.

These improvements form part of wider UK Government funded investment across Walthamstow Town Centre through the ‘Walthamstow: Culture for All’ programme. This supports the council’s mission to build a thriving local economy that works for all, creating safer, greener and more accessible neighbourhoods for everyone to enjoy.


For information on other High Street Phase 2 sites please visit: https://talk.walthamforest.gov.uk/high-street-public-realm-improvements

To improve accessibility, comfort and the appearance of Walthamstow High Street as part of the High Street Improvements Phase 2, a series of spaces along the High Street have been selected to install new planting and seating. These spaces provide new, welcoming areas where people can stop, rest and spend time, helping to make the High Street more inclusive and enjoyable for everyone.

Map showing locations of new planting and seating areas.


These spaces include a mix of new high-quality seating alongside planters filled with trees and drought resistant planting bringing more greenery to the town centre, supporting biodiversity and creating shade.

These improvements form part of the ‘Walthamstow: Culture for All’ programme High Street Phase 2 works which is funded by UK Government using the Local Regeneration Fund.


What’s changing?

Following engagement with residents, businesses and market traders the following locations along the High Street were selected for greening improvement:

  • Between Pretoria Avenue to Carisbrooke Road – a series of new planters and seating.
  • Buxton Road junction – new planters and seating to replace existing benches.
  • Between Buxton Road and Mission Grove – new planters and seating.
  • High Street entrance to 17&Central Mall – new planters, seating and bike stands
  • Walthamstow Library – new seating to replace existing benches.


Walthamstow High Street and Market, May 2025. The high street entrance to 17&Central is one of the locations where new planting and seating will be installed in 2026. Image credit: Dead Ready Productions.


What to expect?

  • Installation works will started in August 2026 and will complete in Autumn 2026.
  • Site works will be phased to minimise disruption with works mainly occurring on Mondays during this period to avoid disruption to Walthamstow Market.
  • Businesses will remain open as usual with no changes to vehicle access.
  • Updates will be provided on the Let’s Talk.

We appreciate your patience and co-operation during this period.

Should you have any further questions on the project or upcoming works, please contact the Area Regeneration team at regeneration@walthamforest.gov.uk


Phase 2 High Street planting will expand on the planting already carried out during the Phase 1 works photographed here in 2026. Image credit: Meristem Design.


What are the benefits?

New seating will provide opportunities for people to sit and rest increasing accessibility and inclusiveness, making it possible for more people to access the High Street and market on foot. Providing resting points should increase overall footfall to support High Street businesses and market traders. Additional planting along the High Street will also help create healthier and more biodiverse streets, as well as providing shade and improving the appearance of the High Street.

These improvements form part of wider UK Government funded investment across Walthamstow Town Centre through the ‘Walthamstow: Culture for All’ programme. This supports the council’s mission to build a thriving local economy that works for all, creating safer, greener and more accessible neighbourhoods for everyone to enjoy.


For information on other High Street Phase 2 sites please visit: https://talk.walthamforest.gov.uk/high-street-public-realm-improvements