Waltham Forest Road Closures for Utility Works

Key Points

• Waltham Forest Council has announced temporary traffic orders to support essential gas and water utility works in the borough.​
• The Charter Road in IG8 will be closed westward for 40 metres from its junction with Tammoryt Avenue for Cadent Gas mains replacement works.​
• The Charter Road order comes into effect on 19 January 2026 and can run for up to six months, although works are expected to finish within around one month.​
• Brandon Road in E17 will be closed for a new water connection to be installed by Thames Water Utilities, covering 26 metres north‑east from its junction with Wood Street.​
• The Brandon Road order will start on 26 January 2026 and last for a maximum of one month, with works expected to take five days.​
• Both temporary orders are drafted to extend beyond the expected duration of works to allow for unforeseen delays.​
• Vehicles waiting or loading in contravention of the restrictions face removal from the affected roads.​
• Controlled parking spaces within the closure limits will be suspended for the duration of the works.​
• Exemptions will apply for vehicles directly involved in the works and, where possible, for emergency services.​
• Advance road signage will set out exact dates, traffic management changes and diversion routes for drivers.​
• The council has made the orders under section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to ensure safety during the utility upgrades.​

Why are the Waltham Forest traffic orders being introduced?

Waltham Forest Council has introduced new temporary traffic orders to allow gas and water companies to carry out essential infrastructure works without putting the public or road workers at risk. As outlined in section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, traffic authorities may restrict or prohibit the use of a road where works are being executed or where there is a likelihood of danger to the public or serious damage to the road.​

Under this legal framework, the council is enabling Cadent Gas and Thames Water Utilities to upgrade parts of the local gas and water networks while maintaining safe traffic management. In line with the Act, the council must consider suitable alternative routes and necessary conditions or exceptions when imposing such restrictions.​

What will happen on The Charter Road in IG8?

According to the published traffic notice, The Charter Road in IG8 will be closed to vehicles to allow Cadent Gas to undertake mains replacement works in a safe and controlled environment. The closure will extend for 40 metres westward from the junction with Tammoryt Avenue, restricting through‑traffic along that specific section of the road.​

As set out in the order, the restriction on The Charter Road will take effect on 19 January 2026 and may remain in place for up to six months, although the works themselves are expected to be completed within about one month. This longer legal duration gives the council and the utility company flexibility in case of unforeseen technical issues, weather disruption or other delays that could push the project beyond its initial schedule.​

What is planned for Brandon Road in E17?

A separate temporary traffic order will apply to Brandon Road in E17 to facilitate the installation of a new water connection by Thames Water Utilities. The closure will cover a 26‑metre stretch running north‑east from the junction with Wood Street, impacting a short but busy section used by local residents and businesses.​

The order for Brandon Road comes into force on 26 January 2026 and will last for a maximum of one month, but the council notes that the works are expected to take around five days to complete. As with The Charter Road, the time window has been deliberately set longer than the anticipated work period to build in contingency for any unexpected complications when connecting the new water infrastructure.​

How long can the restrictions last and why are they extended?

Under the terms described, each traffic order has been drafted with a maximum duration that exceeds the estimated time needed to carry out the works. This approach is consistent with wider practice on temporary traffic regulation orders, which are often made for a longer period than strictly required in order to accommodate delays and avoid the need to remake legal orders if schedules slip.​

The Charter Road order may remain in force for up to six months even though Cadent Gas expects to finish in about one month, while the Brandon Road order runs for up to one month despite Thames Water’s expectation of a five‑day programme. According to general guidance on section 14 orders, this flexibility helps traffic authorities maintain control and continuity of safe traffic management until works are fully completed and inspected.​

What are the rules on parking, waiting and loading?

The traffic orders make clear that any vehicles found waiting or loading in breach of the temporary restrictions during the works can be removed from the affected sections of road. This enforcement power is intended to keep the carriageway clear for construction activities, plant and any required traffic management such as barriers or temporary signals.​

Controlled parking spaces located within the closure limits on The Charter Road and Brandon Road will be suspended for the entire period that the orders are in force. This means permit holders and pay‑and‑display users will not be able to park in those bays and will need to seek alternative parking nearby while the utility works are under way.​

Which vehicles are exempt from the restrictions?

In line with the powers under section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the orders include exemptions for vehicles directly engaged in the works themselves. This covers utility company vehicles, contractors’ plant and any support vehicles needed to install or maintain gas and water infrastructure on the affected streets.​

The council has also indicated that, where circumstances permit, emergency service vehicles will be exempt from the restrictions so that police, fire and ambulance crews can maintain response times and access properties in an emergency. In practice, this may involve on‑site traffic marshals facilitating controlled access through the closure points for blue‑light services when required.​

How will drivers and residents be informed of the changes?

Waltham Forest Council states that advance signage will be installed before works begin to notify drivers of the exact start and end dates, as well as any changes to current traffic management arrangements. These signs will also explain whether full road closures, one‑way systems, temporary traffic lights or other measures are in place on The Charter Road and Brandon Road during the utility works.​

Additional signage will be used to indicate diversion routes so that motorists can plan alternative journeys around the closures. The council’s wider online road works and traffic schemes pages also provide maps and updates on current and proposed works, which can help residents and businesses anticipate disruption and make necessary travel adjustments.​

Under what legal powers are the Waltham Forest orders made?

The traffic orders are made under section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, which allows a traffic authority to restrict or prohibit temporarily the use of a road when works are being or are proposed to be executed on or near the road, or where there is a likelihood of danger to the public or risk of serious damage to the road. This section sets out the circumstances, duration and scope under which such temporary orders can be imposed.​

Section 14(1) also requires the authority to decide the extent of the restriction and any conditions or exceptions that may apply, including whether specific classes of vehicles such as emergency services or works traffic should be exempt. In this case, Waltham Forest Council has applied those powers to The Charter Road and Brandon Road to support essential gas mains replacement and a new water connection while prioritising safety for residents, drivers and workers.​

How do these works fit into wider network maintenance?

While the Waltham Forest notices relate specifically to short sections of The Charter Road and Brandon Road, they form part of broader programmes by utility companies to maintain and upgrade gas and water infrastructure across local authority areas. For example, Cadent Gas has recently highlighted similar mains replacement projects elsewhere, explaining that decommissioning ageing metallic pipes and installing new plastic mains is designed to secure safe, reliable gas supplies for decades.​

Waltham Forest Council’s road works and traffic schemes pages emphasise that many works on local streets are carried out by statutory undertakers such as gas, water, electricity and telecoms companies, with the council responsible for coordinating and inspecting activity on the highway. The latest traffic orders on The Charter Road and Brandon Road reflect that ongoing coordination role, balancing essential infrastructure upgrades with efforts to minimise disruption to residents and road users.