St James Railway Arches

St James Quarter is a key regeneration area in Walthamstow and includes Courtenay Place, an existing Transport for London (TfL) transport hub and the St James Overground Station. St James Quarter has changed over the last few years, with new homes and commercial spaces for places like coffee shops and other small businesses to open in the area.

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 license 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.

Waltham Forest is undertaking a review of railway arches in the borough to look at ways of creating spaces for new local businesses and explore other investment opportunities. A planning application was approved in March 2025 for the conversion of 16 arches which sit beneath the St James Overground Station for town centre uses such as offices, workshops, shops, small food and drink establishments and other small-scale business use.

The planning application can be viewed on the Waltham Forest Planning Portal by following this link:

Courtenay Place Planning Application (External link)


May 2025. Existing railway arches and railway embankment.

We are continuing to review opportunities to improve and open the railway arches. The proposed works are dependent upon ongoing surveys, discussions with rail providers and landowners, and availability of funding. If possible, conversion of the arches would likely be phased following the landscaping upgrades in 2025 and 2026 and would focus on a small number of arches initially.

Artist’s impression of potential railway arch conversions at Courtenay Place. Image credit: Extended Studio


What's happening?

✅ Review of railway embankment – Ongoing feasibility study to review whether the existing railway embankment can be removed to create additional public space.

✅ Review of the conversion of arches – A structural review and ongoing discussions with rail providers and landowners is being carried out to review whether the arches can be opened up.


Courtenay Place. May 2025.


What are the benefits?

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

The potential conversion of the arches would create spaces for independent and local businesses to operate, and in turn activate the public spaces around Courtenay Place.

The proposals were developed following consultation with local residents, businesses and transport stakeholders through 2024. There were high levels of support for the proposals, particularly the possibility to open the existing railway arches for businesses. Your feedback was used to refine the design and will continue to influence the proposals. For more information on the engagement the council have carried out with the local community and key stakeholders, please see the Engagement Reports provided on this page.


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


What to expect

🔹Ongoing structural assessments and feasibility works will continue through 2025.

🔹Regular updates will be provided.

St James Quarter is a key regeneration area in Walthamstow and includes Courtenay Place, an existing Transport for London (TfL) transport hub and the St James Overground Station. St James Quarter has changed over the last few years, with new homes and commercial spaces for places like coffee shops and other small businesses to open in the area.

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 license 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.

Waltham Forest is undertaking a review of railway arches in the borough to look at ways of creating spaces for new local businesses and explore other investment opportunities. A planning application was approved in March 2025 for the conversion of 16 arches which sit beneath the St James Overground Station for town centre uses such as offices, workshops, shops, small food and drink establishments and other small-scale business use.

The planning application can be viewed on the Waltham Forest Planning Portal by following this link:

Courtenay Place Planning Application (External link)


May 2025. Existing railway arches and railway embankment.

We are continuing to review opportunities to improve and open the railway arches. The proposed works are dependent upon ongoing surveys, discussions with rail providers and landowners, and availability of funding. If possible, conversion of the arches would likely be phased following the landscaping upgrades in 2025 and 2026 and would focus on a small number of arches initially.

Artist’s impression of potential railway arch conversions at Courtenay Place. Image credit: Extended Studio


What's happening?

✅ Review of railway embankment – Ongoing feasibility study to review whether the existing railway embankment can be removed to create additional public space.

✅ Review of the conversion of arches – A structural review and ongoing discussions with rail providers and landowners is being carried out to review whether the arches can be opened up.


Courtenay Place. May 2025.


What are the benefits?

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

The potential conversion of the arches would create spaces for independent and local businesses to operate, and in turn activate the public spaces around Courtenay Place.

The proposals were developed following consultation with local residents, businesses and transport stakeholders through 2024. There were high levels of support for the proposals, particularly the possibility to open the existing railway arches for businesses. Your feedback was used to refine the design and will continue to influence the proposals. For more information on the engagement the council have carried out with the local community and key stakeholders, please see the Engagement Reports provided on this page.


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


What to expect

🔹Ongoing structural assessments and feasibility works will continue through 2025.

🔹Regular updates will be provided.