It comes after a previous proposal for a new footbridge at the station was axed over lack of funding, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

Tottenham Hale Station and (inset) plans for a new crossing by TfL

Councillors have approved plans for pedestrian and cycle works outside Tottenham Hale Station.

A proposal for improvements submitted by Transport for London (TfL) was unanimously approved yesterday (Monday 2nd) at a Haringey Council planning sub-committee.

It comes after a previous proposal to build a footbridge linking the station to neighbouring Hale Village was ditched.

However, case officer Gareth Prosser told the committee that approval of the new scheme “did not prejudice future delivery of a foodbridge or an alternative and the applicant is committed to looking at this if funding should become available”.

Plans for the footbridge were originally approved in 2014 to help relieve overcrowding along Ferry Lane and increase connectivity. But rising costs saw the project ditched.

Last October, an alternative plan to make changes along Ferry Lane was rejected due to fears it would cause cycle and pedestrian conflict.

Addressing the differences between the rejected proposal and the new one submitted this year, Gareth explained that a raised crossing would be installed at the Broad Lane and Ferry Lane junction “to prioritise pedestrian movement”.

The location at which cyclists join shared space has been widened and a “full lighting design” will now be implemented along Ferry Lane after a “detailed lighting assessment” was undertaken.

Instead of a general reduction in vehicle speeds, a 20mph zone will be introduced, along with new signage.

More clearance for buses turning into Tottenham Hale Bus Station will be implemented and the size of a proposed ‘floating’ bus stop will be increased. A floating bus stop involves routing a cycle track behind the bus passenger boarding area.

Labour committee member Emrine Ibrahim asked if there was anything more that could be done to alleviate concerns about potential pedestrian and cycle clashes, particularly in the area at the floating bus stop.

Maurice Richards, the council’s transportation planning manager, said the design had been “much improved” and guidance around floating bus stops and delivering cycle infrastructure had been referred to.

Rob Krzyszowski, director of planning and building standards, quoted a TfL review conducted in 2024. He said: “The risk of pedestrians being injured at bus stop bypasses is very low and out of a three-year period there’s been five pedestrian casualties involving cyclists and one involving an e-scooter rider at bus stop bypasses [across London].”

Ruth Gordon, a Tottenham Hale ward councillor and council cabinet member, told the committee she supported the new plans. “Tottenham Hale is becoming the destination we intended it to be but we have to put in the infrastructure,” she said.

“We’re not satisfied with just having a few bits here and there, we are really ambitious.

“We need to connect, that’s the primary priority, from Down Lane Park to The Paddock and, further on, the wetlands and the bridge was part of that plan. Unfortunately at this stage we can’t get this bridge. I would like my cake and to eat it but we can’t do that, but that is absolutely still the intention.

“We will be able to build on that and have that intention if and when the money becomes available. We will be lobbying the government, the Greater London Authority and anybody it takes [for the footbridge money].”

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