St James Quarter Improvements

St James Quarter is a key regeneration area in Walthamstow and includes Courtenay Place, an existing Transport for London (TfL) bus station and St James Street Overground Station.

St James Quarter has changed over recent years, with new homes being delivered and Crate St James being established on what used to be an empty council car park.

Following in in person discussions with businesses and residents, an Economic Impact Zone (EIZ) has been designated in the St James area to help stimulate economic growth including improving signage, introducing pavement licence to reduce the cost for businesses to use external space along the High Street, new public artwork and events. More information can be found on our EIZ page here: St James EIZ

Waltham Forest Council has been working on public space improvements which will transform the public spaces around St James Station and Courtenay Place, including the footpath to Brunner Road. These changes will improve the area by making it safer, more inclusive, accessible, and greener for the local community.

The project is funded by UK Government and forms part of the Walthamstow ‘Culture for All’ programme of projects being delivered by the council. The first phase of work will include the delivery of landscape improvements to public spaces including new paving, lighting, seating, in-ground planting and public artwork.


Courtenay Place and St James Street Station, May 2025.


What's changing?

✅ Better layout – Increased pavement widths and space for pedestrians to enhance safety and accessibility.

✅ 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.


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


What are the benefits?

The improvements form part of wider Government-funded investment across Walthamstow Town Centre as part of the 'Walthamstow: Culture for All' programme. This supports the council's mission to support the local economy so that it works for all, creating safe and green neighbourhoods where everyone can thrive, recognising St James as an important and distinctive part of Walthamstow town centre.

The enhanced public spaces will provide better connections to St James Street Overground Station, St James bus station and the High Street, making the space more accessible and safer for pedestrians. Inspired by the local heritage of the St James Street Conservation Area, and Heritage Lottery Funded outdoor space and shopfront improvement scheme, new paving, planting, lighting and art works will improve the visual appearance of the spaces and make them safer and more inclusive.

The proposals were developed following consultation with local residents, businesses and transport stakeholders through 2024 to understand their operational needs and aspirations for the area which helped refine the proposed improvements.

We spoke to residents, businesses, and visitors about the improvements they would like to see, including:

  • Creating spaces for independent and local businesses to operate, and in turn make public spaces brighter.
  • Increasing green space, biodiversity and make the area more climate resilient, including new planting and trees.
  • Opportunities for new public artwork.
  • New lighting to improve visibility and make the area feel safer.
  • Clearer signage to direct people to transport links, cultural attractions, and points of interest.
  • New street furniture including outdoor seating.

For more information on the engagement the council have carried out with the local community and key stakeholders, please use the links to the Engagement Reports provided on this page to view these.


St James Path landscape works progress. May 2025.


What to expect

🔹Construction works are underway and expected to complete in Spring 2026

🔹Works will take place in phases to minimise disruption

🔹All businesses will remain open as usual

🔹Regular updates will be provided


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

St James Quarter is a key regeneration area in Walthamstow and includes Courtenay Place, an existing Transport for London (TfL) bus station and St James Street Overground Station.

St James Quarter has changed over recent years, with new homes being delivered and Crate St James being established on what used to be an empty council car park.

Following in in person discussions with businesses and residents, an Economic Impact Zone (EIZ) has been designated in the St James area to help stimulate economic growth including improving signage, introducing pavement licence to reduce the cost for businesses to use external space along the High Street, new public artwork and events. More information can be found on our EIZ page here: St James EIZ

Waltham Forest Council has been working on public space improvements which will transform the public spaces around St James Station and Courtenay Place, including the footpath to Brunner Road. These changes will improve the area by making it safer, more inclusive, accessible, and greener for the local community.

The project is funded by UK Government and forms part of the Walthamstow ‘Culture for All’ programme of projects being delivered by the council. The first phase of work will include the delivery of landscape improvements to public spaces including new paving, lighting, seating, in-ground planting and public artwork.


Courtenay Place and St James Street Station, May 2025.


What's changing?

✅ Better layout – Increased pavement widths and space for pedestrians to enhance safety and accessibility.

✅ 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.


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


What are the benefits?

The improvements form part of wider Government-funded investment across Walthamstow Town Centre as part of the 'Walthamstow: Culture for All' programme. This supports the council's mission to support the local economy so that it works for all, creating safe and green neighbourhoods where everyone can thrive, recognising St James as an important and distinctive part of Walthamstow town centre.

The enhanced public spaces will provide better connections to St James Street Overground Station, St James bus station and the High Street, making the space more accessible and safer for pedestrians. Inspired by the local heritage of the St James Street Conservation Area, and Heritage Lottery Funded outdoor space and shopfront improvement scheme, new paving, planting, lighting and art works will improve the visual appearance of the spaces and make them safer and more inclusive.

The proposals were developed following consultation with local residents, businesses and transport stakeholders through 2024 to understand their operational needs and aspirations for the area which helped refine the proposed improvements.

We spoke to residents, businesses, and visitors about the improvements they would like to see, including:

  • Creating spaces for independent and local businesses to operate, and in turn make public spaces brighter.
  • Increasing green space, biodiversity and make the area more climate resilient, including new planting and trees.
  • Opportunities for new public artwork.
  • New lighting to improve visibility and make the area feel safer.
  • Clearer signage to direct people to transport links, cultural attractions, and points of interest.
  • New street furniture including outdoor seating.

For more information on the engagement the council have carried out with the local community and key stakeholders, please use the links to the Engagement Reports provided on this page to view these.


St James Path landscape works progress. May 2025.


What to expect

🔹Construction works are underway and expected to complete in Spring 2026

🔹Works will take place in phases to minimise disruption

🔹All businesses will remain open as usual

🔹Regular updates will be provided


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