New Stratford cycle lane sees first stage complete
The first stage of a new cycle lane running from beside Westfield to Hackney Wick is now complete as work continues to the north.
Last February this site covered construction work along Westfield Avenue. More than a year on and it was time to head back for a wander and to take some photos showing the state of play.
Westfield Avenue is done and seemed popular with cyclists and in particular roller skaters enjoying the route.
This stretch is busy now for pedestrians too as ever more is built in the area, with links between the shopping centre and Olympic stadium as well as the new BBC music building, Sadler’s Wells theatre, the London College of Fashion and soon a new V&A museum.
A substantial number of new flats also sit along the road. The bi-directional lane totals 400 metres so far Westfield Avenue with extensive landscaping along both sides.
I always end up taking far, far more images that can possibly included in posts and really should utilise the gallery function more, so if interested below are more photos.
Cost
The project is costed at £12 million with funds from developers via Section 106 and the Community Infrastructure Levy. That’s in addition to money from Newham Council, the London Legacy Development Corporation, GLA, Transport for London (TfL) and the Mayor of London’s Green and Resilient Spaces Fund.
Future work
Eventually the new lane will reach Hackney via Waterden Road meeting a new development. That’s the final phase 4 with Phases 3a and 3b altering junctions en route.
Judging by the amount of bikes already parked up around Hackney Wick the improved link will be welcomed by new residents.
A junction at International Way leading to Stratford International DLR and Southeastern HS1 stations is being upgraded as part of works.
A separate junction leading to Olympic Park Avenue and the original Olympic Village housing is also to be altered. The current completion date for the full cycle lane is also 2026.
There’s plenty ore happening in Stratford and Hackney which has yet to be covered on this site and that needs to be rectified, so keep an eye out.
One such upcoming milestone for the area is Victoria & Albert East opening in spring 2026. That’ll be welcome to many in SE London as Stratford is now a lot easier to reach with direct DLR trains (at times) from Lewisham, Deptford, Greenwich and Woolwich as well as an easy 20 minute journey on the Elizabeth line from Woolwich and Abbey Wood.
All being well new DLR trains will also be running by 2026 with air conditioning, power charging and walk-through carriages.
