At the beginning of 2023, Waltham Forest Council announced they were successful in their bid for 2 grants from the governments Levelling Up Fund. The funds will bring changes to Leyton Station, Walthamstow Town Centre, Chingford Mount and Highams Park. This means Waltham Forest are set to receive the highest amount of funding of any London borough from the Levelling Up Fund, and with the council’s own contribution, almost £40 million will be spent on creating a cultural quarter across Walthamstow town centre with station upgrades.

Leyton underground station secured £14 million in a combined bid by Transport for London and the Greater London Authority. Waltham Forest council are also contributing £9 million towards the project, that will see a transformation of the station with step-free access to the platforms. Opening of the new facilities is estimated for late 2026, and upgrades to the main ticket hall will mean that the station is future proof, for the rising numbers of predicted passengers.

The second £17.3 million project is described with the sentence “The intention is that the investment will increase footfall in the Town Centre throughout the day and evening, widen cultural participation, generate opportunities for creative enterprise and create pathways into employment and training for residents.”

The project will upgrade public spaces in Walthamstow including St James Street, the High Street and Hoe Street. The Waltham Forest Council website states: “residents will see an increase in walking space, new signage, street lighting, public art, additional greenery and street furniture”. 

Investment is also planned into heritage buildings owned by the council, which have not been looked after properly in the past, due to financial restrictions.

The Council states it will invest in:

  • Chestnuts House to create a centre for innovation and creative enterprise;
  • Hatherley Mews to support workspace, food/drink, and hospitality businesses, creating a destination around Soho Theatre Walthamstow;
  • Vestry House Museum as a place that celebrates Waltham Forest’s culture and community, widening participation in cultural and creative activities.

£8.4 million will also see changes aimed at children and parks in the area with the vision that “It will help ensure young people have safe, inclusive places to socialise, develop, and express themselves as well as improve transport options and green spaces and parks. It will also bring an economic boost to local independent businesses and small traders by making the area even more attractive and welcoming.”