11 February 2010– The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, along with project partners Westminster City Council and TfL, today launched the start of streetscape work to transform Exhibition Road in time for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.

With London visitor numbers set to soar in 2012, millions will visit Exhibition Road to take advantage of the free cultural activities at institutions including The Natural History Museum, The Science Museum and V&A. The Exhibition Road project will reduce traffic congestion and provide visitors and residents with more pedestrian space and better access to enjoy the museums.

Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, said: "Every year millions of Londoners and visitors to this great city are drawn to the cornucopia of culture offered on Exhibition Road. The work that begins today will make this incredible part of the capital a space that truly emphasises the world class institutions based there."

Cllr Merrick Cockell, Leader of Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, said: "More people visit Exhibition Road each year than Venice. With the Olympics and Paralympics taking place in 2012, visitor numbers will rise beyond the current 11.5 million a year. Residents, visitors and tourists will agree that the current design of Exhibition Road, with its narrow pavements and heavy traffic is unattractive, and at times, unsafe. We are working with our partners to create a destination that is not only reflective of the iconic institutions Exhibition Road is home to, but one that is accessible and safe for all."

The visionary project will deliver a striking single surface made up of the finest quality granite spanning the entire length of the road. Upon completion, pedestrian space will be doubled, with visual and tactile delineators installed to help people distinguish between the 'safe zone' and 20mph 'traffic zone'

Cllr Colin Barrow, Leader of Westminster City Council, said: "Exhibition Road is the gateway to some of London's finest museums and the renewal of this area in time for the 2012 Olympics will be a huge boost to London's cultural offer for residents and visitors alike.

"Today marks the start of a scheme, which when delivered, will complement the major improvements we are already investing in across the West End from the diagonal crossing at Oxford Circus to the revamp of Marble Arch."

In advance of the streetscape work, the Council implemented a number of traffic management improvements around the station last year, including unravelling the outdated one-way traffic system and creating a spacious pedestrian area for people using South Kensington Station.

For more information about the project or to register for regular updates, please visit the website at www.rbkc.gov.uk/exhibitionroad.

Ends

For further press information please contact:
Ed Grattan/ Ceri Beven, Euro RSCG Biss Lancaster
phone: 020 7467 9320/ 07817 413792
email: blrbkc@bisslancaster.com

London's Great Outdoors:

The Mayor of London's manifesto 'London's Great Outdoors' details the Mayor's vision and objectives to transform the every day experience of London's outdoors. It is supported by two practical guides, 'Better Streets' and 'Better Green and Water Spaces'. Together they set out the Mayor of London’s vision for improving public spaces in London. This will ensure that our streets, squares, parks and green and water spaces are fit for a great world city, are enjoyed by everyone who visits them and most importantly, help improve the quality of life in the capital.
They are accompanied by an implementation plan that will see £220 million invested in over 50 public realm improvement projects over the next three years, funding for which comes from Transport for London, The London Development Agency and London's boroughs as well as other sources. The measures include redesigned streets, which can be shared by both the pedestrians and vehicles and reclaimed derelict green spaces and underused waterways.
The manifesto and guides have been written and produced by the Greater London Authority, London Development Agency, Design for London and Transport for London. For further information please go to www.london.gov.uk/greatoutdoors.