St James Quarter Improvements

About St James Quarter

St James Quarter is a key regeneration area in Walthamstow, encompassing Courtenay Place, the Transport for London (TfL) bus station, and St James Street Overground Station. Over recent years, the area has seen significant transformation, including the delivery of new homes and the establishment of Crate St James on the site of a former council car park.

Waltham Forest Council has designated St James Street as an Economic Impact Zone (EIZ). This initiative aims to stimulate economic growth through targeted improvements. You can find more details on our St James EIZ page.

As part of the Local Regeneration Fund programme the council is investing in public space improvements around St James Street Station, Courtenay Place and the footpath to Brunner Road. These enhancements will make the area safer, more inclusive and accessible and more environmentally friendly to benefit residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

Funded by the UK Government, this project forms part of the Walthamstow: Culture for All programme. The first phase will focus on landscape improvements and public art installations designed to reflect and celebrate the character of the area.

Opportunities to open some of the railway arches near St James Station are also currently under review. For updates and further information, please visit our St James Railway Arches page.


Courtenay Place and St James Street Station Entrance

Public highways and landscape upgrade works including new paving, in-ground planting, lighting and seating to improve Courtenay Place and the entrance to St James Street Station started on site in December 2025.

Artist’s impression of the proposed improvement works outside St James Street Overground Station. Image credit: Feix & Merlin

What's changing?

✅ Better layout – Increased pavement widths and space for pedestrians to enhance safety and accessibility, and creation of level access to St James Street Station ticket hall.

✅ Improved Appearance – New high-quality materials to improve appearance and connection to High Street and St James Station

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

✅ New lighting and improved CCTV - Improving visibility and overview of the area to create safer public space.

✅ Clearer signage – Helping to direct residents and visitors to transport hubs, cultural attractions, and points of interest to make the space more inclusive and accessible.

✅ Upgraded street furniture – New benches and perch points to create more places for people to sit, improved cycle parking and informal play.

✅ Opportunities for artwork – New artwork inspired by the local area and created with the help of the local community.


Courtenay Place and St James Street Station, May 2025.

What to expect?

🔹Construction works start in December 2025 and are expected to complete in late 2026

🔹We’ve been working closely with our Contractors Rineys and TfL to phase the works to minimise disruption however you may notice limited changes to bus services, access to Courtenay Place and parking suspensions during the works. You can find an overview of disrupted services within the project FAQ’s

🔹All businesses will remain open as usual with vehicle access from Courtenay Place retained through the works where possible.

🔹Regular updates will be provided.

You can check the progress of these works in the timeline section of this page and refer to the frequently asked questions (FAQs) also available on this page.

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


What are the benefits?

Delivered through the Walthamstow: Culture for All programme, this initiative supports the council’s mission to build a thriving local economy, create safer and greener neighbourhoods, and ensure that every part of the borough, including the distinctive and valued St James area, can flourish.

The enhanced public spaces will offer safer, greener, more accessible and more attractive connections between St James Street Overground Station, the St James bus station, and the High Street, drawing inspiration from the area’s rich heritage including the St James Street Conservation Area and the Heritage Lottery Funded shopfront and outdoor space improvements. These changes aim to improve the look and feel of the area while making it more inclusive and welcoming for everyone.

The proposals have been shaped through extensive consultation throughout 2024 with residents, businesses, community groups, Met Police Design Out Crime team, and transport stakeholders. Their feedback has been instrumental in refining the plans to reflect the community’s needs and aspirations, which are identified as:

  • Spaces that support independent and local businesses, helping to animate and brighten public areas
  • More greenery and biodiversity to enhance climate resilience, including new planting and trees
  • Opportunities for new public artworks that reflect the character of the area
  • Improved lighting to increase visibility and help people feel safer
  • Clearer signage to guide people to transport links, cultural destinations, and local landmarks
  • New street furniture, including outdoor seating, to encourage people to spend time and connect

To learn more about the council’s engagement with the local community and key stakeholders, please see the Engagement Reports linked on this page.


St James Underpass and Jazz Yard

In 2024, Artist Agwa, in partnership with Bud Studio, delivered a mural designed to champion St James street market traders and businesses playing on the site's geography as an entrance to the high street. The artwork will highlights the High Street as one of the St James streets best assets whilst simultaneously adding to Walthamstow’s wider art scene.

Artist Agwa and Bud Studio mural (delivered in 2024), October 2025The artwork was the first phase of the St James underpass and Jazz Yard improvements. In September 2025, the second phase was completed, which includes :

  • New street and underpass lighting
  • soft landscaping
  • Sustainable Urban Drainage (SUDs) plant beds
  • Renewed highway drainage system (gullies and pipework)
  • Refurbished underpass and UKPN sub station
  • New bollards


Jazz Yard SUDs plant bed, September 2025


St James underpass, September 2025


About St James Quarter

St James Quarter is a key regeneration area in Walthamstow, encompassing Courtenay Place, the Transport for London (TfL) bus station, and St James Street Overground Station. Over recent years, the area has seen significant transformation, including the delivery of new homes and the establishment of Crate St James on the site of a former council car park.

Waltham Forest Council has designated St James Street as an Economic Impact Zone (EIZ). This initiative aims to stimulate economic growth through targeted improvements. You can find more details on our St James EIZ page.

As part of the Local Regeneration Fund programme the council is investing in public space improvements around St James Street Station, Courtenay Place and the footpath to Brunner Road. These enhancements will make the area safer, more inclusive and accessible and more environmentally friendly to benefit residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

Funded by the UK Government, this project forms part of the Walthamstow: Culture for All programme. The first phase will focus on landscape improvements and public art installations designed to reflect and celebrate the character of the area.

Opportunities to open some of the railway arches near St James Station are also currently under review. For updates and further information, please visit our St James Railway Arches page.


Courtenay Place and St James Street Station Entrance

Public highways and landscape upgrade works including new paving, in-ground planting, lighting and seating to improve Courtenay Place and the entrance to St James Street Station started on site in December 2025.

Artist’s impression of the proposed improvement works outside St James Street Overground Station. Image credit: Feix & Merlin

What's changing?

✅ Better layout – Increased pavement widths and space for pedestrians to enhance safety and accessibility, and creation of level access to St James Street Station ticket hall.

✅ Improved Appearance – New high-quality materials to improve appearance and connection to High Street and St James Station

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

✅ New lighting and improved CCTV - Improving visibility and overview of the area to create safer public space.

✅ Clearer signage – Helping to direct residents and visitors to transport hubs, cultural attractions, and points of interest to make the space more inclusive and accessible.

✅ Upgraded street furniture – New benches and perch points to create more places for people to sit, improved cycle parking and informal play.

✅ Opportunities for artwork – New artwork inspired by the local area and created with the help of the local community.


Courtenay Place and St James Street Station, May 2025.

What to expect?

🔹Construction works start in December 2025 and are expected to complete in late 2026

🔹We’ve been working closely with our Contractors Rineys and TfL to phase the works to minimise disruption however you may notice limited changes to bus services, access to Courtenay Place and parking suspensions during the works. You can find an overview of disrupted services within the project FAQ’s

🔹All businesses will remain open as usual with vehicle access from Courtenay Place retained through the works where possible.

🔹Regular updates will be provided.

You can check the progress of these works in the timeline section of this page and refer to the frequently asked questions (FAQs) also available on this page.

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


What are the benefits?

Delivered through the Walthamstow: Culture for All programme, this initiative supports the council’s mission to build a thriving local economy, create safer and greener neighbourhoods, and ensure that every part of the borough, including the distinctive and valued St James area, can flourish.

The enhanced public spaces will offer safer, greener, more accessible and more attractive connections between St James Street Overground Station, the St James bus station, and the High Street, drawing inspiration from the area’s rich heritage including the St James Street Conservation Area and the Heritage Lottery Funded shopfront and outdoor space improvements. These changes aim to improve the look and feel of the area while making it more inclusive and welcoming for everyone.

The proposals have been shaped through extensive consultation throughout 2024 with residents, businesses, community groups, Met Police Design Out Crime team, and transport stakeholders. Their feedback has been instrumental in refining the plans to reflect the community’s needs and aspirations, which are identified as:

  • Spaces that support independent and local businesses, helping to animate and brighten public areas
  • More greenery and biodiversity to enhance climate resilience, including new planting and trees
  • Opportunities for new public artworks that reflect the character of the area
  • Improved lighting to increase visibility and help people feel safer
  • Clearer signage to guide people to transport links, cultural destinations, and local landmarks
  • New street furniture, including outdoor seating, to encourage people to spend time and connect

To learn more about the council’s engagement with the local community and key stakeholders, please see the Engagement Reports linked on this page.


St James Underpass and Jazz Yard

In 2024, Artist Agwa, in partnership with Bud Studio, delivered a mural designed to champion St James street market traders and businesses playing on the site's geography as an entrance to the high street. The artwork will highlights the High Street as one of the St James streets best assets whilst simultaneously adding to Walthamstow’s wider art scene.

Artist Agwa and Bud Studio mural (delivered in 2024), October 2025The artwork was the first phase of the St James underpass and Jazz Yard improvements. In September 2025, the second phase was completed, which includes :

  • New street and underpass lighting
  • soft landscaping
  • Sustainable Urban Drainage (SUDs) plant beds
  • Renewed highway drainage system (gullies and pipework)
  • Refurbished underpass and UKPN sub station
  • New bollards


Jazz Yard SUDs plant bed, September 2025


St James underpass, September 2025