As part of the phased improvement works for the Leytonstone ‘BLEN’ ‘Green Links’ initiative, this project was funded by the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL). The aim is to strengthen pedestrian and cyclist connections between Leytonstone Town Centre and Wanstead Flats. This initiative seeks to bring the natural qualities of the local landscape right to the doorstep of Davies Lane Primary School.

The new public realm connects all the school buildings at street level, creating a new route to Wanstead Flats and Epping Forest. This former road now features rain gardens, street trees, shared surfaces, and a school terrace.

Developed collaboratively with the pupils from Davies Lane Primary School, the new ‘school street’ is designed to integrate the natural environment of the nearby landscapes into the school’s surroundings. This phased public realm strategy aims to create a continuous nature corridor extending from Wanstead Flats along the entire street to the junction with High Road Leytonstone.

The works have focused on the carriageway and footway areas at the entrance to the school, improving accessibility for walking and cycling. Enhancements include leveling the carriageway, reducing car movement, introducing new green and blue infrastructure, utilizing permeable finishes, and reusing existing kerbs, cobbles, and street furniture.

New playful street adaptations were developed through a series of workshops with pupils and teachers from the school’s Eco-warrior class. During these design sessions, we discussed the importance of trees for the environment, local biodiversity in Epping Forest, Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS), and rainwater gardens.

The new public realm incorporates various street trees, a wedge of rainwater gardens with different planting types, a ‘soft space’ or school terrace for outdoor activities, and areas for sitting and relaxing. The school and Eco-warrior class took part in planting the new raingardens and will care for the new gardens in the long term. Additionally, the new ‘school street’ will feature signs and graphics that tell the story of the new street trees and rainwater gardens.

Together with the Davies Lane Schools’ Eco-warrier class and their teacher we modeled the rain gardens and developed priorities for the planting. The class also took part in planting the new raingardens and are now invovled in ongoing care and maintenance of these new green spaces.