Travelling between Hackney Central and Downs stations has been made quicker and safer thanks to the reinstatement of a historic walkway connecting the two hubs.

The new 210m-long, elevated interchange, connecting platform two of Hackney Central Station, in Amhurst Road, and platform one of Hackney Downs Station, in Dalston Lane, reduces walking distances by around 400m and will save commuters between two and five minutes’ travelling time.

Until now, those who wanted to change between the stations had to walk around 600m or travel into Zone One.

The covered pedestrian footbridge, which will be lit at night and protected by CCTV, will be open between 5.30am and midnight every day and has been created to meet future demand, predicted by Transport for London (TfL), of around an extra 140,000 passengers per year.

The project, which is fully wheelchair and buggy accessible, has been joint-funded by Hackney Council, TfL, and Network Rail.

Mayor of Hackney, Jules Pipe, said: “This new interchange is another transport project we have supported that helps make getting about the borough as easy as possible for both residents and visitors alike.

“The walkway is a safe and convenient link that will be a great benefit to passengers changing between Overground lines and also makes Hackney Central a better connected town centre.”

The walkway was dedicated to Hackney Council’s former principal transport planner, Roger Blake, who recently retired after 30 years’ service.

He was instrumental in developing the interchange, the East London Line in the borough, as well as the reconstruction of Hackney Wick Overground Station and in the council’s ongoing work with Crossrail 2.