FRANCIS ROAD, HEALTHY STREET OF THE YEAR 2018

Amy Priestley, Urban Designer at Urban Movement

I joined Urban Movement almost a year ago, having previously worked for the London Borough of Waltham Forest on the Council’s 'Enjoy Waltham Forest' / ‘Mini-Holland’ programme. My design and engagement work on the transformation of Francis Road in Leyton was one of the most exciting projects I worked on.

Previously a rather tired local shopping parade, the street suffered from high levels of rat-running traffic and was dominated by car parking. The street has now been given a new lease of life by redefining it as a space for people and community, not traffic. Through timed traffic restrictions, public realm improvements and planting, we created a social space that supports walking, cycling, and independent local businesses. Several new shops and cafes have opened on the street since the scheme was completed, and many more business forecourts have become spaces to display products or for people to sit. It’s also now a place where children play football and learn to ride a bike!

You can imagine, therefore, that I was really happy that Francis Road won the Healthy Street of the Year Award 2018 at last year’s Healthy Streets Conference. It also made my day (even my week!) when I came across the blog post that the ‘Ranty Highwayman’ wrote about Francis Road after he visited it with others last weekend. You can read about his visit here (it includes a helpful cycle-through video). I also love this piece about local businesses run by women and the street’s “communitarian, environmental and feminist credentials”.