The distinctive street design, developed by award-winning architect Dixon Jones, will reinvigorate the Exhibition Road area. The creation of a single surface with large clearly defined pedestrian zones will return priority to pedestrians and create a safe and accessible space for everyone to enjoy.
The single surface will extend some 800 metres, from the south of Exhibition Road, near South Kensington Station, north to Hyde Park. The finest dark and light granite will create a chequer design that will bring together the world-class museums and institutions in the area and encourage people to explore. Firmly establishing pedestrian priority, a seven to eight metre wide corridor will be created on the west side of Exhibition Road, generally available for people to walk in, with a more modest four metre wide pedestrian zone on the eastern side of the road.
The design aims to recognise the needs of all disability groups to make Exhibition Road the most accessible cultural destination in the world. Kerbs, barriers and street clutter will be removed to allow pedestrians to move around the area more freely. Kerbs present a difficulty for many and the single surface will significantly improve access, particularly for those using wheelchairs, push chairs and motorised buggies as well as elderly people and partially sighted people.
Black cast iron drainage channel covers will run along each side of Exhibition Road, about four metres out from the respective building lines. Alongside the drainage channel covers, wide strips of ‘corduroy’ warning tactile - ridged paving - will also be introduced which, together with the drainage channel covers, will provide clear signals for blind and partially sighted people, as well as for young children, that the sections of Exhibition Road four metres out from the eastern and western building lines are ‘safe’ areas enabling them to use Exhibition Road with confidence.
Tall, sleek street lighting has been specifically designed to complement the grand buildings of Exhibition Road and provide a safe and welcoming nocturnal environment for residents and visitors.
To the south, Thurloe Street will become a single surface paved in York stone. This is now restricted to access vehicles only and has become a largely pedestrian area, creating a generous open space linking South Kensington Station arcade to Exhibition Road.
Traffic management works to unravel the one-way system around South Kensington Station are creating a generous open space at the southern exit of the station. The usage and design of this area has yet to be determined and the Council will be discussing this with the local community.
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