Motorists in east London are being warned to prepare for significant and prolonged traffic disruption as Hackney Council and Transport for London (TfL) embark on a major programme of maintenance and improvement works across the borough, starting in January 2026.
Major Projects and Long-Term Closures
The most substantial scheme is a major transformation of the Amhurst Road and Pembury Circus area, set to commence on 17 February 2026 and last for at least 18 months. During this period, Amhurst Road and Mare Street will be closed to most traffic between the junctions of Graham Road and Brett Road between 7am and 7pm daily. Exemptions will be in place for buses, cyclists, emergency vehicles, HAC01 permit holders, council refuse vehicles, and vehicles loading or unloading.
Residents living or working on Amhurst Road or adjacent streets will only be able to access the area from Pembury Circus. The council has pledged to maintain access to business shop fronts and facilitate deliveries where possible, though some disruption is anticipated for businesses on Mare Street and Amhurst Road.
Elsewhere, the closure of the junction between Graham Road and Mare Street, which began in 2025, is now expected to continue until August 2026 for carriageway upgrades. Morning Lane will also remain closed to eastbound traffic until December 2026.
Key Dates and Overnight Works
A series of temporary and overnight closures will also affect key routes throughout January 2026 and beyond:
- Drivers entering Hackney Wick via the Blackwall Tunnel will face disruptions on the East Cross Route overnight on 5-6 January, 13-14 January, and 22-23 January 2026 for TfL maintenance.
- The A12 Westbound Interchange will be closed overnight from 10pm on Friday, 9 January until 5am on Saturday, 19 January.
- In south Hackney, Fanshaw Street near Hoxton Post Office closes from 19 January until 17 March 2026.
- In Clapton, Prout Road shuts between 8-12 January, and sections of Upper Clapton Road will be closed from 5 January to 2 February 2026.
- Dalston Lane will see multiple closures for electricity works, including from 12-14 January and 5-9 January 2026.
Localised Disruption and Advice
Further localised works will cause delays in various neighbourhoods. Shoreditch High Street will have lane closures for O2 cable work on 13-14 January, while waterworks will close Ravey Street near Old Street Station on the same dates. In Stoke Newington, works on Brooke Road will run from 15 January to 3 April 2026 with temporary traffic signals.
Other notable closures include Kingsland Road for Virgin Media installations on 19 January, and Holly Street for Thames Water works from 7-9 January. The council advises that delays of around 15 minutes can be expected near the Stoke Newington Road and Amhurst Road junction due to TfL works on 13-14 January.
Hackney Council is urging drivers to plan ahead, consider alternative routes, and allow extra time for journeys. Full details of all planned works, including maps and access information for residents and businesses, can be found on the official Hackney Council website.
