Hackney Central
The Hackney Central area is dominated by Dalston Lane, Graham Road and Amhurst Road, three 'A' roads that TfL expect to carry buses and through-traffic.
The Amhurst Road improvements and bus gate
Amhurst Road has recently had a bus gate installed which has significantly reduced traffic there during its operating hours and provided faster bus transit across this area. The scheme also widened pavements and improved conditions for cyclists.
CGI of Amhurst Road from Hackney Council's Amhurst Road transformation plan
However, we are aware of high levels of motor traffic using some of the small residential streets in this area, in particular Greenwood Road and Navarino Road. This traffic seems to have become significantly worse since the Amhurst Road changes, as drivers are now using these minor roads as ratruns to cut between Dalston Lane and Graham Road. Both roads are important walking/wheeling and cycling routes and completely inappropriate for high levels of motor traffic.
At Low Traffic Hackney we believe this situation is unacceptable, and a solution for this must be urgently implemented. This is likely to involve removal of some car parking to make space and some form of modal filters for Navarino and Greenwood Roads. The exact solution is complicated by existing banned turns but the Council need to consider and address this problem urgently.
The state of Hackney Central's main roads
We are also very concerned by ongoing high levels of motor traffic on Graham Road and Dalston Lane. These roads are A-roads but are at/above their capacity and offer a poor environment for walkers/wheelers, cyclists and bus users.
Ultimately, to improve Hackney's main roads the Council need to follow policies which reduce, rather than encourage driving. There is no easy fix to solve this problem. We have recommended ideas to Hackney Council on our main roads page and we believe better control of car parking has a big role to play.
We are speaking to our supporters who live in this area, and to other people and groups in and around Hackney Central to discuss exactly what more should be done. If you have any thoughts on this, please email us! We are lobbying the Council for improvements to this part of Hackney.