The Hackney Council Skills, Economy and Growth Scrutiny Commission met to discuss the Hackney Transport Strategy 2026-2036, and to review the minutes from a previous meeting and the commission's work programme for the year. The commission received an update on the feedback gathered during the first phase of consultation for the transport strategy, and discussed the content for the proposed draft transport strategy, in preparation for its formal wider consultation. The minutes from the previous meeting held on 11th September 2025 were approved.

Transport Strategy and Collaboration

The Skills, Economy and Growth Scrutiny Commission met to discuss the Hackney Transport Strategy 2026-2036, receiving updates from both the London Borough of Hackney and Transport for London (TfL). The discussion covered Hackney's vision and strategy for transport over the next 10 years, explaining how public engagement feedback has shaped the draft strategy.

• Key Discussion Points:

  • Public Transport: Concerns were raised about the quality, reliability, and affordability of public transport as an alternative to private vehicles.
  • Accessibility: A clear and urgent call was made for improved accessibility for disabled, elderly, and less mobile residents.
  • Road and Pavement Infrastructure: Concerns were raised about the condition of roads and pavements, with requests for stricter enforcement and better maintenance.
  • Active Travel and Green Spaces: The practical implementation and perceived local impacts of environmental goals were discussed.
  • Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs): Responses showed a division of opinion on LTNs[^2], with reported benefits balanced by criticisms. [^2]: Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) are areas where through-traffic is discouraged or eliminated, typically using bollards, planters, or camera-enforced restrictions.
  • Safety: Respondents expressed a desire for safer public spaces, free from crime and inconsiderate road user behaviour.

• TfL's Role:

  • Catherine Seaborn, Head of Local Communities and Partnerships and Dylan Beeson, Community Partnership Specialist from TfL, outlined the Mayor of London's key priorities for London's Transport Strategy and specific transport priorities for Hackney.
  • TfL's approach to collaboration for roads crossing borough boundaries was discussed, emphasising seamless operation and planning.
  • Methods for managing traffic effectively on main roads and how TfL and Hackney Council collaborate to monitor changes to road infrastructure and traffic pinch points were also covered.

• Hackney's Progress:

  • Councillor Sarah Young, Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment and Transport and Tyler Linton, Assistant Director Streetscene presented Hackney's progress.
  • Sustainable mode share in Hackney is currently 87%, compared to 63% London-wide.
  • Hackney has implemented numerous local schemes, including school streets[^3] for nearly all schools not on main roads, full 20mph coverage, and approximately 75% LTN coverage. [^3]: School streets are roads near schools that are closed to motor vehicles during school drop-off and pick-up times to create a safer and more pedestrian-friendly environment for children and families.
  • The borough boasts a significant cycleway network and the highest borough cycling mode share in London.
  • Hackney has three low traffic high streets and the highest proportion of network with bus lanes of any borough.

• Challenges and Future Plans:

  • Challenges remain on main roads, which are often more complex and harder to deliver.
  • Focus is on safety interventions on Homerton High Street and addressing design challenges at Manor House Junction to enable Cycleway 50.
  • An ambitious delivery programme for 2025-28 builds on previous successes, including a major junction scheme at Pembury Circus with a new bus gate.

• Innovative Solutions:

  • TfL is delivering interventions to tackle congestion and improve the resilience of London's streets.
  • Lane Rental scheme charges for roadworks on the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN) to reduce delays.
  • Bus Sense aims for better coordination of roadworks with boroughs to reduce delays to bus passengers.
  • FUSION signals use new technology and data to make traffic signals react faster and smarter, avoiding congestion.

• Hackney Transport Strategy 2026-2036:

  • The draft evidence base was published in March 2025, followed by public and stakeholder engagement from March to June 2025.
  • Deliberative engagement through focus groups took place in October and November 2025.
  • The strategy aims to express a long-term vision for transport in Hackney, provide a rationale and evidence base, communicate with residents, and engage with residents from all walks of life.

• Engagement Feedback:

  • An online survey received 1,437 responses.
  • Engagement meetings and events included focus groups with older people, disabled people, and young people.
  • Meetings were held with neighbourhood panels, forums, and tenant and resident associations (TRA).
  • In-person meetings were conducted with various organisations, including the London Taxi Drivers Association, London Cycling Campaign, and Age UK.

• Overarching Themes from Engagement:

  • The impact of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs)
  • Safety beyond traffic (crime and antisocial behaviour)
  • Greater inclusivity and accessibility for all
  • Quality of road and pavement infrastructure
  • Quality, reliability, and affordability of public transport
  • Nuances in active travel and greener spaces

• Resident Panel:

  • A resident panel considered the challenge of main road traffic management.
  • The panel drafted five vision statements and voted on their preferred final vision statement: To create a modern, efficient and sustainable main road network that connects all of Hackney's diverse communities in an inclusive, safe, fair and accessible way improving quality of life, supporting economic growth, and delivering a cleaner, greener future for current and future generations.

• Emerging Themes:

  • Hierarchy of road users
  • Healthy Streets
  • Fair Net Zero Carbon Transport
  • Cycling Networks
  • Walking Networks
  • School Streets: Child Friendly Routes to Schools
  • Shared Mobility
  • Green Infrastructure and Sustainable Urban Drainage

• Ongoing Monitoring:

  • Measured air quality readings from 140 sites around the borough show an improvement in NO2 levels since 2019.
  • By 2023, only three sites were recording NO2 levels in excess of 40µg/m3.

• Liveable Neighbourhoods and Main Roads:

  • The Stoke Newington Liveable Neighbourhood showed changes in motor traffic patterns after implementation.

• Future Considerations:

  • Autonomous & Connected Road Users
  • Managing the increase in larger vehicles
  • Tackling Through Traffic
  • Bus Priority Max/ Bus Rapid Transit
  • Crossrail 2

Skills, Economy and Growth Scrutiny Commission Work Programme 2025/26

The commission reviewed and discussed the draft work programme for 2025/26.