Downham Road to get new rain gardens, play features and more pavement space

Downham Road in De Beauvoir is set to be transformed with rain gardens, play features like stepping stones, a new zebra crossing, speed tables and a chicane to help reduce vehicle speeds. 

The plans were informed by the views of hundreds of local people in consultation, who took part in drop-in sessions on options for the road and a subsequent consultation on a recommended design. 

They also include a boost in pavement space, two electric vehicle charging points, 15 metres of cycle parking and a car club bay for people who use car sharing services. 

Along with the biodiversity benefits from more trees, rain gardens and greenery, the plans are expected to improve road safety for people using the road. 

Over one hundred people took part in drop ins, with travel consultants Steer using the feedback and a scoring process to select a preferred design for the road. This was then opened to public consultation, with 56% of 421 respondents strongly agreeing or agreeing with the proposals for Downham Road. 39% strongly disagreed or disagreed, with 5% saying they weren’t sure. 

Construction on the stretch of Downham Road between the A10 and De Beauvoir Road is expected to begin in February 2025, and is expected to be completed by April 2025. 

An alternative design with cycle lanes was considered by residents at the drop-in stages, but the design with planting, play features and more pavement space was preferred by the community. This design means a shorter distance for pedestrians crossing Downham Road, and allows more greening and play to be included in the design, which would not be possible if the space was taken up by cycle lanes. 

A long-established cycle route, now part of TfL Cycleway 27, also exists 200m away, which provides a safer crossing of the A10. An existing School Street on Enfield Road provides a low traffic connection to Cycleway 27 before and after school times.  

Read the decision report, which includes detailed plans for the road. 

A huge part of our work to create a greener, healthier borough is about encouraging more people to walk, cycle and spend time in our public spaces.

These plans create new areas for children to play, greenery for biodiversity and wellbeing, all while making Downham Road safer for the people using it.

It’s great that so many people took part in the design stage and I hope that people will enjoy their new Downham Road.

Cllr Sarah Young, Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment and Transport