London First Puts Aldwych Vision As Top Priority

NORTHBANK’S VISION FOR ALDWYCH.

Proposed transformation of Aldwych, with the removal of the gyratory and the creation of a new public space around the church

 

London’s business chiefs step up to transform public spaces at Aldwych, Hanover Square and East Mayfair
July 13, 2017

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“London’s business chiefs today threw their support behind three key projects that promise to transform public spaces in Aldwych, Hanover Square and East Mayfair.

The influential West End Streets group, set up by London First, brings together the likes of The Portman Estate, Arup, The Crown Estate and Grosvenor Britain and Ireland to work with the West End Business Improvement Districts to confirm funding and delivery of key London public realm projects.

The group helped deliver the transformation of Leicester Square in 2012 and continues to champion schemes that will make a significant difference to London’s public spaces.

The three schemes unveiled today, in Aldwych, Hanover Square and East Mayfair, are significant projects for London, promising to open up public spaces, improve air quality and conditions for pedestrians and cyclists and deliver benefits to residents, visitors and local businesses. All three schemes are deliverable within the next five years.

• The Aldwych Vision: an ambitious scheme centred on the removal of the Aldwych gyratory and the creation of a new civic space at the heart of the area.
• Hanover Square: the project will renovate gardens at the centre of the square, and pedestrianise part of it, ahead of the opening of the Elizabeth Line station at Bond Street.
• East Mayfair: plans to improve public spaces and reduce congestion on streets including Saville Row, Cork Street, Burlington Gardens, Clifford Street and Old Burlington Street. The improvements will open-up routes through the West End and support the opening of the new Royal Academy of Arts entrance on Burlington Gardens.

Jasmine Whitbread, chief executive of London First, said: “The plans for Aldwych, Hanover Square and East Mayfair promise to transform the areas, making them more open, accessible and attractive for residents, local businesses and the millions of people who visit the West End each year. To make sure they don’t get stuck on the drawing board, business is joining forces to champion the work, delivering real ambition and investment for London and our world-famous streets.”

Bill Moore CBE, Chief Executive of The Portman Estate and Chair of the West End Streets group, said: “West End Streets has been successful in backing schemes such as the Baker Street Two Way in Marylebone and the work to revitalise Bond Street in the preparation for the opening of the Elizabeth Line. The three schemes announced today will continue this momentum. They will improve public realm, reduce traffic congestion, enhance air quality and enable growth in the respective areas, delivering a better environment for residents, workers and visitors. We look forward to working with local authorities, TfL, business improvement districts and other stakeholders to deliver these improvements.”

The West End Streets group was established in 2007 and has helped deliver projects including the transformation of Leicester Square, the roll out of ‘Legible London’, which provides over 200 wayfinding signs across central London, and the ‘Summer Streets’ initiative which sees the annual pedestrianisation of Regent Street for four Sundays in July.”