Dalston’s set for road safety improvements
Proposals for new School Streets, a 24-hour bus gate, traffic filters, safer crossings, rain gardens and more have been approved.
Hackney Council is moving forward with plans to introduce measures to reduce through-traffic on residential streets, improve conditions for walking, wheeling and cycling, and create a safer, more welcoming local area.
The plans include School Streets outside Halley House School and Excelsior Academy, traffic filters to prevent traffic using residential roads as shortcuts, and a 24 hour bus gate on Shacklewell Lane.
The scheme will also bring wider improvements to local streets including new crossings, trees, rain gardens, benches and cycle parking.
The changes are designed to tackle the dangerous levels of through-traffic using residential roads as shortcuts in the area. This is in support of the Council’s ambition to make sure that no one is killed or seriously injured on Hackney’s roads, as well as making sustainable options like walking, cycling, and bus journeys safer, easier and more reliable.
The scheme will also help prepare Dalston for a changing climate, with new rain gardens to reduce flood risk and additional trees for shade and better air quality.
The plans have been developed using feedback from an initial travel survey in 2023 and a public consultation held in 2025, which heard from more than 1,000 residents and businesses.
A leaflet setting out the planned changes is being sent to residents and businesses in the scheme area. Before any changes are introduced, the Council will hold a 21 day statutory consultation.
All properties will remain accessible by car. Hackney Blue Badge holders with a HAC01 permit and licensed taxis transporting Taxicard holders (via a new automatic exemption pilot) will be exempt from the Shacklewell Lane bus gate.
“Residential streets in Dalston have long been affected by dangerous levels of through-traffic, with drivers using them as shortcuts through the area.
“We’re now moving forward with this long-awaited and much-needed scheme, which will make the area a safer, healthier and more welcoming place. This means improving conditions for walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport, enhanced public spaces, as well as preparing Hackney for a changing climate.
“As we go into the statutory consultation phase, we’ll continue listening to residents and businesses and we commit to monitoring the scheme to make sure it’s working as intended.”
Cllr Jacob Cable, Cabinet Member for Climate, Clean Air, Energy and Transport
To read more about the planned changes and the consultation process visit the Dalston consultation and engagement page.