You Said, We Did

We Asked

Connaught Village Green Public Space Consultation (March-April 2023)

A proposal to improve the public realm at the junction between Connaught Street and Kendal Street, to increase green space and provide more pedestrian accessibility. The scheme proposed the following improvements:

• A new green space at the heart of Connaught Village with biodiverse planting, outdoor seating, and new paving in natural stone. This would be achieved through removing three parking bays at end of Kendal Street cul-de-sac.
• Improved crossings with a raised table and shorter crossing distances to increase pedestrian comfort.
• Update the north-south cycle link via Titchborne Row to encourage pedestrian and cycle travel, reduce emissions and improve air quality.
• Widen the footway at the southern side of Connaught Street (between the junction of Albion Street and Kendal Street) with a loading pad, two trees, cycle stands and potentially increase outdoor dining space.
• Part of Kendal Street to be made one-way south-west bound to narrow the crossing distance and reduce the risk of vehicles driving over pavement corners.
• Provide a place for residents to socialise with additional seating and have access to free drinking water.
• Support local businesses through creating a more attractive place to visit, shop and enjoy.
• 13 additional cycle parking stands added to Connaught Street, bringing the total number to 18.

Consultation Results:

The following ‘You Said’ were the main themes of objection to the scheme.

You Said

1. Opposed to the one way on Kendal Street. (84 comments) For example, changing the traffic flow along Kendal street will add too much traffic and congestion onto neighbouring streets, including Connaught Street and will add to existing safety issues at Connaught Square. 
2. The scheme is not needed and not value for money (55 comments)
3. The proposal for the green areas including the seating will attract anti-social behaviour (47 comments)
4. The design does not go far enough, for example to restrict rat running traffic through the area (29 comments)
5. Object to the loss of parking (7 comments)
6. The scheme’s changes to traffic will negatively affect local trade (8 comments)
7. Disabled access will be reduced (5 comments)

We Did

1. Two way traffic will be retained on Kendal Street in the new proposals. The crossing on Connaught Street across the mouth of Kendal Street will be improved with tactile paving, raised table, and buff anti-skid colouring.
2. The scheme has been costed using the Westminster Highways Term contract rates that provides value for money in design and delivery of Highways services. The materials are proposed to be in natural York Stone which is fitting for the area and will provide aesthetic and community benefits if making the area more attractive to pedestrians and visitors. The project cost includes Risk and Contingency which may not be spent. There are additional funding contributions from the Church Commissioners and Neighbourhood CIL. 
3. Following the reinstatement of two way traffic on Kendal Street in the design, the area given over to seating has been reduced. Whereas seating will provide community benefits for people to linger in the village green space, the benches are modular and can be removed if deemed to be a cause of antisocial behaviour and not required in the future. 
4. The scheme does not attempt to address wider issues of area based rat-running traffic but is a stand-alone public realm project that will help create a new village focal area for the community to enjoy.
5. The analysis of occupancy survey results showed some spare capacity in parking spaces. The loss of some parking from the cul-de-sac is outweighed by the benefits of the larger pedestrian area.
6. The reinstatement of two-way working on Kendal Street addresses this concern, and loading provision is retained in the vicinity. There is evidence that pedestrian centric schemes provide benefit to local businesses by making the area more attractive to visit and increase footfall. It also aligns with the Fairer Westminster strategy in its aim of improving local high streets.
7. The updated design will reinstate traffic movements on Kendal Street. The existing pedestrian area will be made larger and safer with a more comfortable space for pedestrians and disabled people. Crossings will be improved by shortening the crossing distances and introducing tactile paving.