Courtenay Place, which links St James Street Station and Walthamstow High Street is currently closed while works take place to improve the area, reports Marco Marcelline

St James Street Station bus stand, Credit: Waltham Forest Council

Works have begun to transform the immediate area around St James Street Station and Courtenay Place.

The project is part of a wider £17million Levelling Up Funding programme of investment given to the council to regenerate parts of Walthamstow.

The council aims to turn Courtenay Place, which connects St James Street Station and the bus stand with Walthamstow High Street, into a “green link” between St James Street and Walthamstow High Street, with a new pocket park, as well as other improvements to public spaces.

An artis’s impression of how the completed works will look, Credit: Feix & Merlin Architects

The improvement scheme also includes new lighting, signage, art projects, and landscape design, as well as the refurbishing of arches with a long-term view of businesses moving in and opening up shops. Ongoing structural assessment and feasibility studies on opening up the arches will continue through 2026.

The plan additionally involves the removal of physical barriers and “unfriendly” security fencing, overgrown shrubs, and soil (some of which could be reused in new planting).

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

These upgrades are due for completion later this year; the St James Street Station bus stand is closed until Saturday, 13th June while works continue.

The footpath at Courtenay Place will be closed until tomorrow (28th March) to pedestrians until to allow these improvements to be carried out safely. Access to local businesses will remain open, and clear signage is in place to guide pedestrians along alternative routes throughout the closure.

Artist’s impression of Courtenay Place. Image credit: Feix & Merlin Architects

Find out more about the works here

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