Historic park in Bethnal Green to get cafe-kiosk and cycle parking

Plans to improve an “under-used” historic park in Bethnal Green and stop people chaining bikes against railing near the station are taking shape.

A caf�-kiosk, cycle parking, landscaping and a new public toilet are part of the plans to spruce up Memorial Gardens, near the Museum of Childhood, in time for the Olympics.

Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman said: “This project is set to bring lasting improvements to the borough – returning an under-used space to the community.”

The council are also hoping the cycle parking area with spaces for around 80 bikes would make bikes chained to the park railings on Cambridge Heath Road a thing of the past.

Councillor Stephanie Eaton, who helped develop the plans in consultation with the community, said: “The changes will make the entrance to the underground station more open and attractive, whilst helping to make the historically listed park more welcoming to visitors and cyclists.”

Funding tied to Olympic improvements is being sought from Transport for London and a planning application is due to be submitted shortly.