Walthamstow Wetlands, London’s newest Urban Wetland opened in summer 2017 and is expected to attract approximately 250,000 visitors annually within 10 years. Coppermill Lane is one of the main access routes into Walthamstow Wetlands and the route plays an important part in enhancing the overall visitor experience.

what if: projects prepared a feasibility study for Coppermill Lane, to improve this key access route for pedestrians and cyclists from St. James Street Station to the new Walthamstow Wetlands entrance. The project was awarded Liveable Neighbourhood Funding for the implementation of a range of way finding, rain gardens and public realm interventions that were delivered between 2019-2021 in collaboration with LB Waltham Forest as part of Coppermill Liveable Neighbourhood.

Implementation in three phases:

Early implementation: light touch projects linking St. James Street Station to the new Wetlands entrance to improve orientation and way-finding and to develop a route identity for Coppermill Lane.

Core projects: New public realm interventions focused on the new Coppermill ‘Wetlands Zone,’ which includes places to sit, spend time, enjoy nature, and orientate oneself along the route. These projects complement new carriageway and footway improvements, creating a safer and more accessible environment for pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users.

Connecting projects: A public realm and highways project that focuses on the section of Coppermill Lane from the Flood Relief bridge to St. James Street.