Traffic halved and no collisions – the impact of Walthamstow Mini Holland

Initial figures suggest that the overall volume of traffic in the Walthamstow Village area has been cut by about half since work was completed on the Mini Holland cycling scheme. While traffic has risen on nearby main roads, it is nevertheless estimated that even with these included the wider area has seen a 16 per cent drop.

The London Evening Standard’s Ross Lydall yesterday tweeted a letter which has been sent to local residents, outlining the impact of the Walthamstow Mini Holland scheme.

Astonishing results from Walthamstow MiniHolland: 10,000 fewer cars a day, traffic down 56% in village, no collisions pic.twitter.com/OoQ2Fr8kWq

— Ross Lydall (@RossLydall) November 4, 2016

A full report is due early next year, but initial traffic data, which have also been published on enjoywalthamforest.co.uk, show a 56 per cent drop in the number of vehicles on 12 key roads within the area.

Traffic on main roads Hoe Street and Lea Bridge Road is up by 3 per cent and 11 per cent respectively, but even with these included it is thought the area is seeing somewhere around 10,000 fewer vehicles each day.

Furthermore, there were 15 collisions on Walthamstow Village roads in the three years from September 2012 to August 2015. The period from September 2015 to April 2016 saw none, although it is note that it is a relatively brief period.

The East London and West Essex Guardian also reports that the Mini Holland scheme has been nominated for a Civic Trust design award.

Councillor Clyde Loakes, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment said: “I am extremely proud that we have been shortlisted for this award. We set out to make Walthamstow Village safer, more attractive and accessible for everyone, and I think we have achieved that.”