High Street and Market Improvements - Phase Two

Improvement plans for High Street phase two

We plan to create a safer, greener, and more inclusive High Street for everyone.

Our plans for the High Street will build on feedback we’ve already received from the community, and focus on four key areas of improvement:

1. Providing much needed planting and greening along the High Street to create cleaner and more sustainable spaces, improving our biodiversity.
2. Increasing safety and accessibility by improving lighting, creating areas for people to stop and rest, to make sure the High Street is an inclusive place for everyone.
3. Maximising space for businesses, market traders, events, and play, by making it easier to walk and cycle to the High Street which will increase the number of visitors in the area, boosting our local economy.
4. Improving signage and artwork to celebrate the area’s unique heritage and culture, including the famous Walthamstow Market.

Our focus areas for the High Street have been identified via previous community feedback we have received, which suggested street furniture like seating, more green spaces, and enhancing personal safety are top priorities for users of the High Street.

The improvements for Walthamstow High Street builds upon design guidance shaped by feedback from previous engagement, including the council’s Walthamstow High Street Strategy and Delivery Plan, set out in 2018, and findings from the consultation on improvements for Rosebank Villas and The Scene.

The Walthamstow High Street improvement project will deliver four greening zones and six Breathing Spaces which will deliver new upgrades including tree planting, lighting, wayfinding, seating and play features.

There is a lack of greening spaces on the High Street which the public have identified. The public have told us that they would like to see more green spaces. The following four streets have been identified for improvements known as ‘Greening Zones’.

1. Buxton Road
2. Palmerston Road junction
3. Selborne Avenue

To enhance accessibility and introduce greenery along the High Street, six locations have been identified as ‘Breathing Spaces’. Each breathing space has seating, raised planters and waste and recycling bins.

The final locations of the Breathing Spaces are yet to be confirmed, but it is likely that they will be placed in the areas between market pitches. Will be on areas between market pitches, this is still to be confirmed.

Phasing of the project

The High Street phase two works will be delivered in small sections beginning in Autumn 2025 to minimise disruption and ensure that access can be provided to the Market and local businesses. The first Greening Zone to be delivered will be at Selborne Avenue, followed by the installation of the Breathing Spaces.

The remainder Greening Zones such as Buxton Road and Palmerston Road Junction will follow later in the year.

Feedback from Traders & Businesses

Thank you for your valuable feedback on the High Street Programme during December 2024 engagement events and High Street Survey.

We are currently reviewing your feedback and have responded to concerns on access at Mission Grove. We have listened and no longer going ahead with the originally proposed Storey Road design.

We are finalising the designs for the remainder Greening Zone sites and Breathing Spaces.

Next Steps

We have some initial designs for the Buxton Road Play Street below. Please also consider partaking in the feedback survey by clicking the link at the bottom of this page by 5pm Friday 22 August.

We are also hosting a drop‑in public engagement session for the Buxton Road Play Street project on Wednesday, 20th August, from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM at The Mill Community Centre, 7-11 Coppermill Lane, E17 7HA. Please come along to meet the project team, ask questions about the Play Street design and the wider High Street regeneration programme, and view our exhibition display boards. Whether you’re eager to learn more or want to share your feedback, we’d love to hear from you.