Cars have been banned from streets leading to a popular market street during the day.

A bus gate in Lansdowne Drive at the junction with Trederwen Road, south of London Fields in Hackney, previously blocked traffic for three hours in the morning and four hours in the afternoon on weekdays.

But last Monday (June 17), the restricted hours were almost doubled, now covering 7am to 7pm, and extended to every day of the week.

This means that without an exemption, cars can no longer be used in Lansdowne Drive south of Trederwen Road during the day.

Hackney Council has said that the changes will help air quality around London Fields, reduce car dominance and improve road safety, particularly in Broadway Market.

The authority said that there is increased pedestrian activity during market days and that this was not sufficiently covered by the existing restrictions.

Leaving the existing operational times was considered, but not accepted, the council added.

It claimed this would have resulted in through traffic continuing to use residential streets to get to other roads during the day.

Nearby, work has also begun on implementing plans to improve cycling safety.

The changes will affect the junction between Whiston Road and Queensbridge Road.

Campaigners have been calling for further improvements for cyclists in Whiston Road for a number of years.

Cyclist Gao Gao was killed in the road after a hit-and-run crash in September last year.

New measures include installing a raised junction table and low level cycle signals with an early release facility at the Whiston Road junction.

A pedestrian and cycle crossing will also be created at the Denne Terrace crossing near the canal bridge.

The works are expected to take place throughout the summer, with a target completion date of September this year.

Hackney Council has said that a wider cycling scheme along Whiston Road is also being considered.