The money will allow the council to draw up improvement plans for Shernhall Street and other major roads and junctions across the borough, reports Sebastian Mann, Local Democracy Reporter

Waltham Forest Council will receive more than £3million towards “safer, greener and more accessible streets across the borough,” Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed.

The funding comes as part of a city-wide £94.8m package, the second annual investment from the authority.

TfL says it will work closely with London borough councils and rely on their “unique knowledge of their local roads and transport networks”.

Councillor Clyde Loakes, who serves as co-deputy leader and the cabinet member for climate and air quality, said the £3.089m was “more than we were anticipating”.

“This funding, together with our own investment, will help fund the development, delivery, and completion of important schemes across the borough,” he said.

Over the next year, the council will develop bus priority schemes in Chingford and Leyton, which it says will improve traffic flow and cut travel times.

“Various neighbourhood schemes” are also being drawn up for Higham Hill, Forest, and Chapel End wards in Walthamstow, on top of ongoing regeneration works in Forest Road and Whipps Cross Road, Cllr Loakes added.

Money will also go towards “important redesigns” of the junction at Grove Green Road and Cathall Road and “filling the gaps and upgrading the cycling infrastructure” along Billet Road.

“It will also allow us to look at improving Shernhall Street and develop designs for future consultation for Leytonstone High Road, following last year’s perception survey,” he said.

He said: “70% of Waltham Forest residents already walk, cycle, or use public transport daily.

“With this funding from TfL, we will be able to do even more to encourage people to consider active travel or public transport as the default mode of transportation through these schemes – especially for those short local journeys.”

Elsewhere in the capital, the funding will go towards the development of new cycle routes, designated school streets, and pedestrian crossings.

It is meant to compliment the Mayor of London’s Vision Zero policy, which aims to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries from the city’s transport network by 2041.

Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, said: “I am thrilled that another round of funding has been awarded to boroughs as part of our three-year programme to make London’s streets greener and safer.

“We have already seen the transformative impact of new cycleways, expanded School Streets, and lower speed limits helping to reduce road danger across the city.”

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