Over August, most of the guard-railing along the length of Mare Street between Hackney Central station and Richmond Road has been removed.
Removing the guard-railing has helped open up the street, making it easier for pedestrians to walk through the heart of the borough and it also makes the streets safer for cyclists
who will no longer be stuck between vehicles and the metal railings.
The decision to remove the guard-railing followed extensive work by the Council to ensure that it was the right, and safe, thing to do and the decision was approved by the Royal
Society for the Prevention of Accidents, Transport for London and Living Streets.
Removing guard-railing will now be the standard approach adopted by the Council when it undertakes works to streets and junctions as part of either planned maintenance work, or
where investment is being made.
Cllr Vincent Stops of Hackney Central Ward welcomed the move: "As a regular pedestrian and also as a cyclist, am delighted
that this important street in our ward has had this work done. Mare Street now feels much more open, there is more room for all the pedestrians and people have responded well to the extra room to
walk. "I'm looking forward to more of this guard-railing disappearing over time from across the borough, once we know that it is the safe thing to do in each
location".
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