Appendix B Mini-Holland Walthamstow Village Review and Lessons Learnt
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Appendix B
Mini-Holland Walthamstow Village Review and Lessons Learnt
Waltham Forest is one of three London Boroughs to be selected for full ‘mini-Holland
status’, out of 18 outer-London boroughs that submitted a bid for funding. The
borough was awarded £27 million to radically change neighbourhoods by placing
cycling at the heart of its schemes. This cycling transformation and the breadth of
regeneration across the borough provide a huge catalyst for long term growth in the
area.
The project consists of four main workstreams:
Lea Bridge Road Cycle Superhighway and cycle routes (including the
Ruckholt Road pilot).
Walthamstow Villages and Town Centre (including the Walthamstow
Village trial area and Walthamstow Gyratory).
Other Town Centres.
Complementary Measures (including cycle sheds, residential cycle parking
and on-street cycle stands).
The Walthamstow Village area trial forms part of the Walthamstow Villages, along
with Walthamstow Village, Markhouse Village and Blackhorse Village This
‘villagisation’ includes removal of through traffic in residential areas in central
Walthamstow, building on work already underway to make Walthamstow a more
cycle-permeable place, and addressing rat-running. The proposal for these
residential areas is based upon woonerf principles, returning the streets to local
people by removing through-traffic, providing safer, quieter and more pleasant
streets which make walking and cycling the obvious ways to get around.
The two week trial road closures from Friday 26 September- Monday 13 October
2014 were just one stage of the Walthamstow Village area trial. It is important to
recognise that the Walthamstow Village area project is still on going and is only one
scheme within the wider Mini-Holland project.
Our experiences during the Walthamstow Village area trial are important lessons
which we have learnt from. We will apply what we have learnt to future stages of the
Walthamstow Village scheme, the Walthamstow, Markhouse and Blackhorse
Villages, and the overall Mini-Holland project.
1. Background to the trial
The Walthamstow Village trial was developed from an initial survey that we carried
out in February-March 2014. This survey was funded by the Local Implementation
Plan (LIP) scheme.2
In February-March 2014 we asked local residents to tell us their views on the key
traffic issues in the area. The survey was sent to 2288 addresses and we received
118 replies. The two common concerns were rat-running and speeding on residential
roads.
Before the trial we gauged levels of existing traffic. We placed traffic monitoring
equipment in strategic locations to understand traffic levels and conditions. This gave
us data on the level of through traffic and baseline local traffic.
We wanted to maximise using the funding available to us. The Walthamstow Village
trial was conducted using LIP funding, complemented by Mini-Holland funding.
It is important to recognise that the Mini-Holland scheme is the biggest continuous
funding that the London Borough of Waltham Forest has received. The Walthamstow
Village area trial has enabled a new design and consultation standard which will
continue to be used by the London Borough of Waltham Forest on future schemes.
2. Demographic of the area
The general demographic of the Walthamstow Village trial area is predominantly
British, with 67% of residents born in the UK compared to 61% in the borough on the
whole. A greater than proportionate number of residents speak English as their first
language, with substantially more residents (46%) possessing a level 4 qualification
compared to the Waltham Forest average of 30%.
Overall, the area tends to be a more affluent neighbourhood of the borough, and this
is represented by the residents’ passion to maintain its quality and distinct
characteristics.1.
3. Purpose of the Walthamstow Village area trial
The main purpose of the Walthamstow Village area trial was to:
Collect traffic data before any road closures were implemented.
Allow the local residents and businesses to experience what these types of
measures would be like.
Receive feedback from residents and businesses on what they did and did not
like and adapt the scheme to meet resident’s needs.
4. Pre-engagement planning and strategy
A report was produced outlining our seven stage engagement approach to the
Walthamstow Village trial. The stages are:
1All demographic statistics have been derived from LSOA Waltham Forest 015A data taken from the
ONS Neighbourhood Statistics website.3
Stage 1: gathering information.
Stage 2: pilot road closures.
Stage 3: feedback from residents. This is the stage that is currently
being worked on.
Stage 4: development of final proposals.
Stage 5: public consultation.
Stage 6: implementation.
Stage 7: review and alter if necessary.
Please see Appendix A for the full engagement plan.
The table below outlines the timeline of events undertake to raise awareness of Mini
Holland.
Timeline Subject What did we do?
July 7, 2014 Tour de France Mini-Holland stand at the London
Event Borough of Waltham Forest Tour de
France event with officers present to
give information on MH and the
Walthamstow Village area trial.
July 19-20, Leyton Big Mini-Holland officers were present,
2014 Weekender giving information on Mini-Holland and
the Walthamstow Village area trial.
July 26-27, Walthamstow Mini- Holland stand with officers
2014 Garden Party present to give information on Mini-
Holland and the Walthamstow Village
area trial.
August 9, Chingford Big Mini-Holland stand at the Chingford Big
2014 Weekender Weekender with officers present to
give information on Mini Holland and
the Walthamstow Village area trial.
The engagement plan was followed but as we implemented the plan it was
necessary to undertake supplementary activities to add to the initial plan. The table
below shows events and action we took at the pre-trial stage.4
Timeline Subject What did we do?
August 18, TfL We produced a report on the proposed
2014 diversion route for the W12 bus and had a
discussion with TfL buses. Decision was
made to not change the route to facilitate
all users for the bus route.
W/C August Businesses We had face to face discussions with
14, 2014 businesses along Orford Road to gain
feedback on the proposed trial closure
along Orford Road.
We planned to facilitate business needs
and discussed their needs such as loading
times and parking needs.
We spoke to 17 businesses. Their
responses were:
10 (59%) in favour
4 (24%) against
3 (18%) unsure
August 26, Ward Meeting with Cllrs to discuss and agree
2014 Councillors trial road closures.
September Walthamstow Presentation to WVRA to discuss trial road
1, 2014 Village closures.
Residents
The WVRA suggested holding a drop-in
association
session.
September Residents Sent an update letter to all properties in
1, 2014 the Walthamstow Village trial area
updating them on Mini-Holland.
September Residents Sent an update letter to all properties in
8, 2014 the Walthamstow Village trial area
informing them about the road closures.
We invited residents to a drop- in session
at the Asian Centre on September 15,
2014.5
September Residents Drop- in session at the Asian Centre to
15, 2014 discuss the trial road closures from
September 26 - October 13, 2014.
W/C Residents Information leaflets were hand delivered
September by council officers to all properties in the
15 and 22, Walthamstow Village trial area, giving
information on Mini-Holland and the trial
2014
road closures.
5. During the trial
We sent out two information leaflets which kept the residents updated about the trial.
We knocked on 4500 residents’ doors and received face to face feedback from 1500
residents.
We met with the Almshouses and engaged with the elderly community.
We listened to residents and added additional signing to roads, such as Wingfield
Road, and line markings on Beulah Road.
Teamwork- During the trial we had a big presence on site and had officers on roads
that was closed. The team effort did not only involve council officers from the
Highways team, it also extended to the wider Public Realm team.
Events- During the trial we held events which engaged with local residents,
including:
Free pedestrian training for 240 school children
Free cycle maintenance for over 100 bikes
Free cycle training sessions for over 100 residents
A play street on Copeland Road
Communication- The level of correspondence regarding the trial was
underestimated. In view of this, we had to create a dedicated email address for the
Mini Holland project. We received 600 emails about the trial.
We also provided an online questionnaire for anybody who was not available to
respond to us in person.
The key issues highlighted during the trial were:
Eden Road – increase in traffic levels and perceived increase in speed of traffic
during the trial.6
Copeland Road – increase in traffic levels during the trial.
Grove Road – businesses claimed that the reduction in through traffic resulted in
a reduction in ‘passing’ trade during the trial.
Businesses – Businesses have reported problems with loading and access, loss
of parking for customers, perceived loss in trade (although some have reported
an increase), area became too quiet, area became too loud.
6. Post trial
Following the Walthamstow Village trial we have organised a series of workshops
with businesses, residents and individual roads.
Timeline Subject What we did?
October 17, 2014 Eden Road Held a separate meeting with the
residents of this road.
October 24, 2014 Wingfield Road Held a separate meeting with the
residents of this road.
October 28-30, Workshop with Workshop with businesses at
2014 businesses from Vestry House and the Town Hall to
Orford and Grove discuss what they liked about the
Road. scheme, what they did not like and
what can be improved.
November 6, 2014 Residents from the We are going to hold four
Walthamstow workshops in the four areas of
Village area trial. Walthamstow Village.
Each workshop will be in the same
style and follow the same agenda.
There will be external facilitators at
all four meetings.
7. Areas for improvement
From the beginning of the trial, there has been increasing interest and comments in
the Mini Holland and the Walthamstow Village pilot. As well as being a trial for
residents and businesses the new way of engaging and unique type of scheme has
presented a learning opportunity for officers and the team. The details below are the
key themes and improvement to be made.7 • Conducting Mini-Holland as a high profile scheme Issue: We underestimated the level of interest the Mini-Holland project would receive. Being such a high profile scheme this creates the need to involve a wider audience as this has a knock on effect to other departments, key stakeholders and the Council as a whole. Key learning outcomes: This high profile status means we need to work closer with other departments to ensure they are aware of the projects and what this means to their work, this is especially important for central communications department. Changes we have made: Previously monthly internal meetings with other departments have been held, this has been extended out to other services and the importance of the meetings reiterated as we progress towards details designs and implementation. We are working closely with the central communications departments and although there was a delay in filling a dedicated Communications Officer this post has now been filled. For future schemes we have built in longer lines for approval of communication material. • Communication Issues: The trial was not originally a Mini-Holland scheme, but part of our annual LIP programme of works. However, due to the amount of interest it has changed into the first elements of the Mini-Holland project to be launched. Due to this the pre- engagement of what Mini Holland is and the project as a whole was not adequate for the size of the project. There were elements of the community that felt they had not been fully aware of the trial taking place and although three separate letters was sent prior to the trial residents made them aware we had not received this. Although the portfolio holder and ward cllrs were aware and involved in the scheme, as the scheme grew and involved those outside of the scheme boundary it was clear other ward councillors need the information about the scheme. Key Learning Outcomes: Communications is a key element to the success of the scheme and it is vital that residents are provided all the information they need to feel engaged and understand the reasons for the scheme. One important element of this is how the smaller individual schemes fit into the whole programme and getting this across to all. Changes being made: During the trial we did make additional changes to the engagement plan to ensure that we brought the level of communication to a suitable
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level. This included a large number of staff on site throughout the day and door
knocking in the evening to ensure residents and business knew what was happening
and so they could give feedback. From the feedback we have received this was
hugely popular with residents that they had someone to talk to. Drop in session and
door knocking is now to be included into the consultation process for the Mini
Holland schemes.
We are in the process of putting together an overview leaflet detailing all schemes
and project timescales for stakeholders and councillors for the mini Holland project.
Access to the residential roads
Issues: During the trial we reduce the potential access restrictions by allowing the
continuation of the W12 bus services, however, residents brought up the issues of
the Emergency Services and Dial-A-Ride being able to access the roads.
In addition, post boxes were closed during the trial, which was not planned or
expected. This was undertaken by Royal Mail with no prior knowledge.
Key Learning Outcomes: We did contact the emergency services prior to the trial
on two separate occasions and there were no concerns. During the trial the fire
service reviewed the area and gave no specific comments/concerns on the trial road
closures. We also consulted with TfL (who operate Dial a Ride services) on the road
closures, however, not all of the relevant information was circulated to all drivers.
It is clear that although information has been passed to the relevant services not all
this information has been passed to the local drivers/teams or departments.
Changes being made: In order to ensure that this information is passed on to those
that need it we are in the process of setting up a Mini Holland champion within each
key stakeholder therefore we can provide all information to them and they can
ensure all relevant departments have this information.
4. Overall summary of outcomes from the trial
The Walthamstow Village trial launched the Mini-Holland project and has put LBWF
on the map. We have learnt from the trial and will take forward this engagement plan
and use it during the future stages of the wider Mini-Holland project.
The positive outcomes of the scheme are:
This is a high publicity scheme which will be used as a standard for developing
future projects.
No one has ever done a scheme like this with so much attention to detail.9
The Walthamstow Village area trial awoke the community and engaged the
community with the scheme. It was a good method of getting the scheme across
which allowed residents and businesses to experience what the measures would
be like.
The trial divided the community and brought it back together again.
5. Appendix
A) Engagement plan
B) Stakeholder quality assurance and cost improvementYou can also read
