Women walk past a telephone box that has graffiti sprayed on it with what looks like a smiling ghost on Lea Bridge Road, London, August 8, 2024.
Stephen Street enjoys a lunchtime glass of wine as he watches the rugby on his phone in the Clock Cafe on the corner of Lea Bridge Road and Church Road September 28, 2024. Stephen, who has lived in the area for over twenty years, likes his community as he thinks it’s interesting as it’s always changing. What he most dislikes is the traffic noise and congestion caused by continual roadworks. The biggest change he has noticed is the influx of a diverse population.   
Robert St. Rose, who is 87 years-old says he has lived on Lea bridge Road for over twenty years holds a picture of him taken September 27, 2024. What he most likes about the area is that it’s a very friendly and quiet place and he feels safe going out day or night. He added there’s nothing he dislikes. The biggest change he has noticed while living here is that there are more people from different areas have come to settle here and that everyone harmonises with each other.

People play cricket on the North Millfields Recreation Grounds at the Hackney end of Lea Bridge Road. 

A man stands in the doorway of business ‘Spot Off’ that claims to be London’s best dry cleaners, Lea Bridge Road, London, September 27, 2024.  

A man leans in a bus stop sheltering from the rain as he waits for a bus on Lea Bridge Road, London.  
Buses are parked up in the centre of the Lea Bridge roundabout at the Hackney end of Lea Bridge Road.   

Tony Bailey sits with his father Sonny Bailey outside a pub on Lea Bridge Road enjoying a drink in the autumn sunshine September 21, 2024. Tony said what he likes about the Lea Bridge Road are all the improvements that have recently taken place. He added that he wanted to leave the area but now wants to stay. What he dislikes the most is the traffic. The biggest change he has noticed is the increased diversity , he enjoys all the different food and culture this change has brought to the area.    

Henry Stuart, sorts and cleans chairs at the business Office Clearance 4U on Lea Bridge Road, London, August 28, 2024. He likes the vibe of the area and the fact that as well as everyone knowing each other they all look after each other. What he least likes about it the traffic noise and congestion.  He added that the biggest change he’s noticed is that there’s a lot of new construction, coffee shops and bistros that are improving the area. 

A worker carries a piece of board past the scene of the stabbing of Josh McKay where flowers and tributes have been left on Lea Bridge Road August 28, 2024. Josh was stabbed to death on Saturday afternoon July 6, 2024. Renai Belle, 29, was charged with his murder July 10, 2024.
A man carrying a bike wheel walks past a tangled mess of dumped cycles, most of which are missing front wheels, on Lea Bridge Road, London.

Aminah Mughal arrives with balloons for a 60th birthday party with relatives at the Saffron Kitchen on Lea Bridge Road September 7, 2024.
A woman cleans the glass doors to The Potters House which is a Christian Fellowship Church, on Lea Bridge Road September 3, 2024.
People get on a bus on Lea Bridge Road September 7, 2024.   

Marloes Haarmans outside her flat as her partner Aimee Blowers leaves for the airport September 4, 2024.

Marloes Haarmans and her partner Aimee Blowers smile at each other as they hold a black and white picture of them taken September 4, 2024 outside the flats on Essex  Wharf that overlook the river on Lea Bridge Road. What they most like about the area is the hustle and bustle and the diversity. What they least like about it is the increase in crime, especially the phone snatching.
People take a lunch break at the part worn tyre and bike repair shop on Lea Bridge Road, London.

Mohammad (Lucky) Aslam holds a black and white print of him in his tailor’s shop on the Lea Bridge Road August 8, 2024. Mohammad said that the biggest change he has noticed since he started working in the area is that the streets and area is much cleaner than they used to be.

Partially deflated and missing balloons that used to spell out ‘JOSH’ and wilting flowers at the site of the stabbing of Josh McKay on Lea Bridge Road August 8, 2024. Josh was stabbed to death on Saturday afternoon July 6, 2024. Renai Belle, 29, was charged with his murder July 10, 2024. 

Hairdresser Montana Campbell takes a break from work outside A&R Barber and Beauty salon on Lea Bridge Road August 2, 2024. Montana likes the different cultures and the diversity but what she most dislikes is the rise in crime. 

The Bakers Arms that’s sited on the corner of Lea Bridge Road and Hoe Street is covered in scaffolding August 8, 2024. The first record of it being used as a pub was in 1868. The pub closed in 2010, and the premises now operate as a Paddy Power betting shop.  

A woman carries her shopping as she leaves Archi Express off licence on Hilllstowe Street that runs parallel to Lea Bridge Road in London August 7, 2024.

Awa Tangara with her dog Loue on lea Bridge Road August 8, 2024. Awa likes the area as people are friendly, there’s lots of shops and parks for her dog . What she least likes is that everything closes too early.

Robert Andrews and Dee (DeeLeeLive) who are both photographers pose for a picture of Lea Bridge Road.

A butcher from Adil Cash & Carry Halal Meat, Groceries, Fruits and Vegetables shop laughs and jokes as he carries lamp and sheep carcasses into the shop from a delivery lorry from Jaspers June 27, 2024 on High Road Leyton just off the Lea Bridge Road.

Workers strip the roof of Potters House August 2, 2024 behind the Millennium Clock on the corner of Lea Bridge Road and Church Street. Potters House is now used as a church by an evangelical group but was originally built as a cinema and also used as a bingo hall.  

‘Uncle’ waits outside his son’s shop Abbott Cycles on the Lea Bridge Road June 22, 2024. Uncle said that he likes looking after the shop as he is being treated for cancer and working takes his mind off his health issues.

A worker waters hanging plant baskets on Lea Bridge Road during a spell of hot weather in London.

Boys leave the Jamia Masjid Ghousia Mosque after Friday prayers on the Lea Bridge Road August 2, 2024.
Worshippers chat after Friday prayers at the Jamia Masjid Ghousia Mosque on Lea Bridge Road.

Contact sheet showing the day’s shoot along the Lea Bridge Road June 27, 2024. 

Sonia Lawrence stands by her front door on Lea Bridge Road with dustpan and brush as she takes a break from working on her front garden June 27, 2024.  Sonia, who has lived on Lea Bridge Road for more than 20 years, says what she most likes about it is that her neighbours are nice, it’s central, the shops are near and the transport is good.

Sonia Lawrence holds a black and white print July 12, 2024 of a picture of her taken outside her home June 27, 2024 on the Lea Bridge Road, London.

Mohammad Hanif outside the Jamia Masjid Ghousia Mosque after Friday prayers on Lea Bridge Road July 7, 2024. When asked what he most likes about the road he replied that it is beautiful for the whole two and half miles. But what he least liked about it was the fact the council have not provided any public toilets along its full length.  

Joel Fontaine and his friend Rafal Karnus pretend to box as they are photographed on Lea Bridge Road, in London, June 27, 2024. Rafal said what he most liked about the area is that people are friendly. What they agreed on was they least liked about it was the traffic and the jams caused by the bus drivers changing shifts outside the KFC.  

 
Andrew Augustin rolls a cigarette as he sits on the corner of Albany Road and Lea Bridge, Road, London, 24 April 2024. Andrew said that despite the 20mph speed limit its still dangerous crossing the road and the biggest change he'd notice since living there was the increase in the number of barber shops.

Zac Naz, who works at a mini cab office, leans on the door of his offices on the Lea Bridge Road. What he most likes is the cultural mix of the community but what he least likes is the increase in crime. 

A boy sits waiting on a doorstep on the junction of High Road Leyton and Lea Bridge Road in London as a woman behind him cleans the foyer area.
Men chat and look down the road on the corner of Rochdale Road and Lea Bridge Road next to the Jamia Masjid Mosque in London.

Sidra Shokat jumps off a rock as she and her family wait for a bus in Hackney, London on the Lea Bridge Road May 18, 2024.  

A car, parked under the railway bridge, that is covered in bird shit also has a parking ticket under the windscreen wiper May 18, 2024. 

A man strides past metal railings and a post box on Rigg Approach just off Lea Bridge Road, London.

A worker standing on a ladder passes a bucket to a roofer who is working on the roof of Boleyn car and van hire business just off the Lea Bridge Road in London, April 27, 2024. 

A man vapes as he reads a book on the junction of Church Road and Lea Bridge Road, London.

Alessandra da Lozzo waits for her appointment at Lush Lips Aesthetics on the Lea Bridge Road, London.

Morgan Ekeugo in his charity shop Human Relief Welfare Second-hand Furniture on Lea Bridge Road, London, March 6, 2024.

Cousins Andrea and Sandra take selfies sitting at a bus stop outside Aldi super store as they wait for a bus on the Lea Bridge Road, London, 20 April 2024.
Morgan Ekeugo sets up shop at the Human Relief Welfare Second-hand Furniture made up of charity donations for sale in a courtyard opposite the Madina Masjid Mosque near the Lea Bridge roundabout in Hackney, London March 4, 2024.

Tegan Christmas and her friend Sleepy Kent in BB Cafe on Lea Bridge Road, London March 6, 2024. What Tegan most likes about the Lea Bridge Road is the rich mix of cultures but feels that small businesses need more help from Waltham Forest council as too many small shops are closing.

A woman waits infront of a shuttered shop on Lea Bridge Road, London March 4, 2024.
Kim Crooks smiles on the Lea Bridge Road, London. Kim said one of the things she most likes about the Lea Bridge Road is that some of the shops are cheap and cheerful.
Paul ‘Stanley’ Coke waits outsde his flat with his scooter on the junction of Lea Bridge Road, London
Wanna Alessandro, who lives in a squat, leans in a doorway of the old tile factory on Lea Bridge Road.
Harari Haasan, who works in Daddy’s Kebabs leans out of the serving hatch on Lea Bridge Road Septenmber 1, 2023. He said despite only living here for six months he likes the area as he thinks it’s nice.
A man walks through shadows cast by trees as he listens to his mobile walking along Lea Bridge Road, London September 4, 2023.
A woman vapes and blows smoke as she walks past dumped furniture on Bickely Road just of Lea Bridge Road, London, September 1, 2023.
Undertakers Conor Bolt and Donna Riggs who work for Cooks Carriages keep horses Robin and Chiron, who pull the hearse, under control as they wait for the start of a funeral just off Lea Bridge Road, London.
A man sits reading a newspaper and eating his breakfast in the BB Cafe on Lea Bridge Road July 29, 2023.
Rozerin and her mother Fadime Colak inside their laundrette 'Solis' on Lea Bridge Road April 16, 2023.
A staff member of Bootlaces, a pub on Lea Bridge Road stands in the doorway of the bar June 29, 2023.

Anne Mondesir, who lives on Whitney Road, waits for a bus on Lea Bridge Road August 23, 2022.

Owner of Le Chic hair & Beauty salon Delise Clarke stands at the door of her shop on Lea Bridge Road, London August 17, 2022.

Kousar Arif outside her second-hand clothing shop on 372 Lea Bridge Road August 17, 2022.

A man looks at his phone as he smokes a cigarette outside Harlequin Glass and Mirror shop on the corner of Melbourne Road and Lea Bridge Road July 30, 2022.

A woman walks past a figure of Captain America outside ‘Power Up Nutrition’ shop on the Lea Bridge Road July 30, 2022.

Richard Williamson, who moved into his home on 289 Lea Bridge Road, London a year ago, paints the front of his home January 9, 2022.

Zaheer Ahmed sells seasonal mangoes on the junction of Lea Bridge Road and Hoe Street as people walk past his stall July 30, 2022.

A man’s shadow is cast on a wall near Lea Bridge rail station in bright morning sunshine on the Lea Bridge Road, London, January 18, 2022.

A woman, wrapped up against the cold wind, pushes a wheelchair out of the Human Relief Foundation shop on the Lea Bridge Road April 23, 2022.

A tree surgeon from Gristwood and Toms throws down a branch as he pollards a tree on the Lea Bridge Road April 28, 2022.

A man works on the side wall of Kashmir barbers as steam from a heating system exhaust is seen in the bright morining sunshine on the Lea Bridge Road, London January 18, 2022.

A man walks slowly across Heybridge Way on the junction of Lea Bridge Road, London in the morning mist January 15, 2022.

A man wearing headphones is refelcted in a mirror in a shop window as he walks along the Lea Bridge Road, London November 13, 2021.

People load washing in the Launderama Launderette on 305 Lea Bridge Road December 4, 2021.

Barber Murad is seen through his shop window as he works in Imza Traditional Turkish Barber on the Lea Bridge Road November 26, 2021.

Luke Cay, who works for J&S motorcycle clothing and Accessories on Lea Bridge Road takes a break from work November 13, 2021.

A discarded lottery ticket stand outside a grocers shop as man delivers goods on a sack trolley on the Lea Bridge Road in London December 4, 2021.

Receptionist at AestheticBabe on Lea Bridge Road, looks out from her salon November 13, 2021.

Cars for sale are covered in bird shit under the Bakers Arms rail bridge on the Lea Bridge Road in London December 4, 2021.

A woman takes a long draw on a cigarette as she pauses on the Lea Bridge Road to look at her phone November 26, 2021.

 

Gutters are cleared at the Legends Turkish Barbers as Uber Eats delivery and a pedestrian hurry past on the Lea Bridge Road.

Newspapers cover the shop window that is being offered for rent on the Lea Bridge Road

Masked up to protect against COVID and off to the shops on the Lea Bridge Road.

Walking through the rail under pass on the Lea Bridge Road.

Waiting for the right bus on the Lea Bridge Road.

A fashion shoot using muted colours, shadows of trees and soft side light on the junction of Lea Bridge Road and Perth Road as the World passes by February 5, 2021.

Boys play football in the street during coronavirus COVID-19 lockdown just off the Lea Bridge Road February 5, 2021.

 
 
All Rights Russell Boyce