Key Points
- Haringey Council has completed a long-awaited revamp of Penstock Path, connecting Wood Green with Alexandra Park and Alexandra Palace.
- The project focused on refurbishing the tunnel under the East Coast Main Line railway, described in a 2017 Haringey Council report as “neglected, unsafe, and in urgent need of improvement”.
- Improvements include upgraded lighting, resurfacing, new flood-mitigation measures, enhanced drainage, and landscaping to boost biodiversity and create inviting public spaces for rest and play.
- A major new feature is CAST, a permanent artwork by Emma Smith, developed with local residents, inspired by the history of the New River, cast in concrete with embedded bubbles, polished stones (one glowing in the dark), in pink and orange tones echoing oxidised copper from historic water tanks.
- The tunnel links Western Road in Wood Green with Newland Road, leading into Alexandra Park.
- Refurbishment became a “key priority” for the council after the 2017 report, but took almost nine years due to delays from the pandemic and drainage issues.
- Works included drainage improvements, resurfacing of cycleway and footpath, new lighting in the tunnel and public realm, new public realm at the eastern entrance with a new fence, public artwork, sustainable urban drainage, and new planting area with play features.
- The project is part of the Shaping Wood Green programme to enhance walking and cycling routes and increase access to green space.
- The tunnel was closed to pedestrians and cyclists from mid-July to early September 2025 for tunnel works, with public realm works continuing until November 2025; it officially reopened around 5 February 2026.
- Community engagement included walking workshops to highlight the tunnel’s importance as a link between Wood Green and Alexandra Palace.
- Funding partly from S106 developer contributions related to the nearby Haringey Heartlands/Clarendon development, approved in 2011, which relied on the path for open space access compensation.
- The route supports an east-west cycle path from Hornsey to Tottenham via Wood Green, with calls for widening to better accommodate cyclists and delivery riders.
Wood Green, Haringey (North London News), February 11,2026 – Haringey Council has completed a major revamp of Penstock Path, including its crucial tunnel under the East Coast Main Line, transforming a long-neglected route connecting Wood Green with Alexandra Park into a safer, greener, and more welcoming pathway for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Key Points
- What Triggered the Penstock Path Revamp?
- Why Did the Project Take Almost Nine Years?
- What Specific Improvements Were Made to the Tunnel?
- Who Is Behind the CAST Artwork and What Inspired It?
- How Did the Community Contribute to the Project?
- What Was the Timeline and Impact of the Closure?
- How Does This Fit into Broader Wood Green Developments?
- What Are the Expected Benefits for Residents?
The project addressed longstanding safety concerns identified in a 2017 council report, which deemed the tunnel “neglected, unsafe, and in urgent need of improvement”. Nearly nine years later, the upgrades now feature resurfaced paths, enhanced lighting, improved drainage, flood mitigation, and biodiversity-boosting landscaping.
What Triggered the Penstock Path Revamp?
A Haringey Council report from 2017 highlighted the dire state of the Penstock Tunnel, concluding it was “neglected, unsafe, and in urgent need of improvement”. This assessment prompted the council to designate the refurbishment as a “key priority”.
As detailed in forum discussions on the Alexandra Park Neighbours website, the tunnel under the railway line had become a critical yet problematic link from Coburg and Western Roads in Wood Green, past filter beds, to Alexandra Park and Hornsey.
Community concerns grew alongside nearby developments like Haringey Heartlands/Clarendon, approved in 2011, where poor open space provision was offset by promises of improved access via the path, funded by S106 contributions.
Why Did the Project Take Almost Nine Years?
Delays plagued the initiative, with the COVID-19 pandemic and persistent drainage issues within the tunnel cited as primary causes. As stated by Maureen Juliana Harvey, Community Engagement Officer at Haringey Council, in a message shared on the Alexandra Park Neighbours forum:
“There has been a delay in starting works due to the pandemic and drainage issues within the tunnel”.
The project formed part of the broader Shaping Wood Green programme, aimed at extending walking and cycling routes to boost green space access.
Further complications arose from funding dependencies, including Good Growth Fund allocations and TfL grants, as noted in council minutes on public realm interventions connecting Station Road, High Road, and areas around the Chocolate Factory.
What Specific Improvements Were Made to the Tunnel?
The revamp delivered comprehensive upgrades, making the route “safer, greener and more welcoming”. Key works encompassed resurfacing of the cycleway and footpath, new lighting throughout the tunnel and public realm, and enhanced drainage systems.
At the eastern entrance, enhancements included a new fence, sustainable urban drainage, and a planting area with play features. Flood-mitigation measures and landscaping were designed to foster biodiversity and provide inviting public spaces for rest and play. These align with earlier proposals visualised in council attachments, with minor alterations implemented during construction.
Who Is Behind the CAST Artwork and What Inspired It?
A standout feature is CAST, a permanent sculptural installation by artist Emma Smith, developed collaboratively with local residents. As reported in an Instagram reel from a local source:
“The Tunnel’s eastern entrance is now marked by artwork ‘CAST’ by Emma Smith (@artistemmasmith). Inspired by the local community and Penstock’s history”.
The series of concrete volumes draws from the New River’s history, featuring embedded bubbles and polished stones—one glowing in the dark—in pink and orange tones selected by residents, mirroring the oxidised copper hues of historic water tanks that powered London’s only aquatic theatre. A Facebook post from Marlborough Highways echoed this:
“A new permanent artwork, CAST by Emma Smith, now marks its eastern entrance. Created with local residents, the concrete sculptures reflect…”
How Did the Community Contribute to the Project?
Local input shaped the design, including walking workshops that underscored the tunnel’s role linking Wood Green in the east to Alexandra Palace and Park in the west. Maureen Juliana Harvey noted:
“Several key stakeholder engagement activities were held as part of the design process. These include walking workshops organised to demonstrate the importance of Penstock Tunnel…”
Residents influenced the CAST artwork’s colours and elements via consultations. A Commonplace platform allowed ongoing feedback on visuals, construction programmes, and rerouting during works. Forum users on Alexandra Park Neighbours raised practical issues, such as widening the path for cyclists and delivery riders on the east-west route from Hornsey to Tottenham.
What Was the Timeline and Impact of the Closure?
The tunnel closed to pedestrians and cyclists from mid-July 2025 to allow internal works, reopening in early September ahead of school starts, with public realm completion by November 2025. An initial draft closure plan proposed diversions, with the council apologising:
“We recognise that this is a significant diversion and apologise in advance for any inconvenience…”
Works commenced on 23 July 2025, per updates on the forum. The grand reopening occurred on Thursday 5 February 2026, as announced by Wood Green BID:
“The newly refurbished Penstock Tunnel will officially reopen on Thursday 5 February, marking the grand reopening of this important local route…”
Marlborough Highways attended the opening event.
How Does This Fit into Broader Wood Green Developments?
Penstock Path improvements tie into Haringey’s active travel ambitions and address deficiencies from high-density projects like Heartlands/Clarendon. Council documents reference it within Good Growth Fund initiatives for public realm along circular routes near the Chocolate Factory.
The route compensates for local open space shortfalls, enhancing connectivity to Alexandra Park amid East Coast Main Line proximity—though separate rail upgrades occurred nearby, including at Wood Green stations. This revamp supports cycling networks, potentially making the tunnel “a more agreeable experience,” as hoped by community observers.
What Are the Expected Benefits for Residents?
The upgrades promote safer active travel, with separated lanes for walkers and cyclists, better lighting reducing safety fears, and green features encouraging use. Biodiversity gains and play spaces foster community interaction, while flood measures build resilience.
By linking densely populated Wood Green to green assets like Alexandra Palace, the path eases pressure on open spaces and supports health initiatives. Cyclists stand to gain from a smoother east-west corridor, though calls persist for further widening.
