A £3 million traffic-calming scheme designed to prevent drivers from using residential roads as rat runs is set to be implemented in east London.
Hackney Council has set out proposals for Dalston, including further road restrictions, a bus gate, two new pedestrian crossings and so-called “school streets”, in a bid to address “dangerous” traffic levels.
The east London scheme, financed by Transport for London and pending further consultation, is designed to improve conditions in Dalston, which the Green Party-led council said “suffers from heavy through traffic and unsafe road conditions”.
The measures are also intended to boost air quality and make it safer to walk and cycle in the area.
Councillor Jacob Cable, cabinet member for climate, clean air, energy and transport, said residential streets in Dalston had “long been affected by dangerous levels of through traffic”.
He said: “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.”
Cecilia Road and Downs Park Road junction in Dalston is one of the intersections affected
Hackney Council
The announcement follows a public consultation held in 2025 that gathered responses from more than 1,000 businesses and residents.
The planned changes include a 24-hour bus gate at Shacklewell Lane, between Shacklewell Road and Amhurst Road, to reduce through-traffic near to the approach of Hackney Downs.
All vehicles will be banned from entry except buses, emergency services, council refuse trucks, cyclists and residents with specific permits such as Blue Badges.
Cecilia Road, connecting Shacklewell Lane with Dalston Lane, will have new restrictions applied that are designed to stop traffic driving from end-to-end.
One of the proposals for the road includes the creation of a “school street” — a policy banning vehicles driving down roads with education centres at the start and end of the school day.
The additional school streets will cover Arcola Street outside Halley House School, and Cecilia Road and Downs Park Road adjacent to Excelsior Academy.
Since 2020, the council has rolled out the controls across the borough, which now cover 70% of “all eligible roads”.
Though the latest scheme is dubbed a Liveable Neighbourhood, not an LTN, the latter term was used by respondents throughout the consultation report.
The response to the plans divided residents, mostly between those living in the area who drive cars and those who do not.
Roughly 9 in 10 consultation respondents lived in the borough, with half residing within the scheme area.
More than 45% of total respondents reported their main mode of transport as a car or van. According to 2021 census data, a third of Hackney residents own a car.
Plans for the Shacklewell Lane bus gate were backed by nearly half of respondents, driven by strong support from non-car users. The large minority of more than 40% who opposed the measure mainly comprised car users, caregivers, disabled people and renters.
Dalston’s ‘liveable neighbourhood’ map
Hackney Council
Feedback objecting to the scheme raised concerns about delays and traffic being “funnelled” elsewhere.
One commenter said this would cause more pollution as idling cars were forced to wait longer at traffic lights. A small takeaway owner who responded said existing traffic controls in the borough had already hindered the business’s food deliveries in Hackney due to curtailed routes.
However, supporters of the scheme included cyclists who deemed Shacklewell Lane “extremely dangerous”.
Other respondents welcomed moves to curb rat runs and “road rage” on both sides of their narrow road, which “sometimes end[ed] violently in a stand-off”.
The school streets proposal received the most support of all measures, with 57% of respondents in favour.
Following the consultation, councillors at Hackney Town Hall ditched original plans to make Shacklewell Road a two-way street after residents warned it was too narrow.
The updated scheme includes further bans on vehicles turning left from Dalston Lane into Cecilia Road, and for vehicles exiting Ridley Road onto Dalston Lane. The latter is intended to prevent Ridley Road Market becoming a shortcut between the A10 and Pembury Circus.
Local authority reports said Hackney had secured an extra £350,000 in funding for public realm improvements. These could include more benches, rain gardens, trees, cycle hire and parking bays and green spaces.
Before any changes are introduced, the council will hold a 21-day statutory consultation, due to run until November 4.
Residents can view the proposals on the council website, and raise any further objections or comments until the deadline.