Amazing Spaces

About Hogarth Road 

There is an opportunity to improve the public space on Hogarth Road by widening the pavements, improving the street surface, and planting new trees.   Improvements to the street would give the local community and visitors a high-quality space to enjoy and provide a pleasant setting for the vibrant collection of shops and small businesses.  

Why are we investing in the area? 

• Location close to the ‘front door’ to Earl’s Court and the tube 
• Side streets have a special character as a contrast to the main road  
• This is one of the oldest parts of Earl’s Court. A pretty street architecturally – attractive shopfronts, the focal point of the kiosk and special alleyway through to Kenway Road – with a variety of independent and useful businesses  
• Opportunity to add trees and greenery close to the busy high street and main road – good for air quality, biodiversity and character  
• Outdoor café seating has calmed traffic and proved successful to add to bustling character  
• Enhancing the Earl’s Court Village Conservation Area

Where we are now 

The key points we have heard from local people and businesses are:

• There is a good community atmosphere with many established local businesses Vehicle access should be retained  
• A designated loading bay for deliveries would be helpful  
• The area feels unsafe, especially in the evenings  
• There is anti-social behaviour including people urinating in the street, affecting how businesses can operate and creating an unpleasant environment  
• A market could work well here  
• The pavement is dirty and stained, piles of rubbish bags tend to accumulate  
• There is a collection of Filipino businesses here and in the immediate area that make it a centre for the Filipino community  
• The Gingko tree is a problem in autumn when smelly, sticky fruit litters the pavement 
• A good community atmosphere with many local established businesses   
• The area doesn’t feel as well cared for as other parts of the borough 

How we got here
 
We launched a six-week consultation on proposals for the area in November 2023 which closed on Thursday 7 December 2023. You can still view the proposals and consultation summary on our consultation hub.
  
Hogarth Road Public Realm Improvements - Kensington and Chelsea's Consultation and Engagement Hub - Citizen Space.

Next steps 

Construction of the scheme is due to start on 28 October 2024 and last for approximately six months. 
There will be times when the road is closed but homes and businesses on the street will remain accessible on foot. Vehicle access will be possible from Knaresborough Place, with Hogarth Road being two-way as necessary during the build.  

About Draycott Avenue

Draycott Avenue is part of the Brompton Cross District Centre, and we have identified an opportunity for this area to act as a focal point for the neighbourhood and local community. We have therefore put together proposals to create a neighbourhood centre, to enhance the quality of the public realm, and to support commercial and everyday activities.

Where we are now

The scheme has been approved and construction commenced in September 2024. It is expected to be complete by March 2025.

How we got here

Draycott Avenue Proposed Improvements

We asked

We asked for your views on proposals to improve the northern end of Draycott Avenue (between its junctions with Walton Street and Ixworth Place).  The scheme would involve closing a section of the carriageway to through traffic to prioritise access for pedestrians and cyclists and to provide increased public amenities including street trees, lighting, and flexible space for events and markets. The key features of the proposed scheme were:

• Closure of the northern section of Draycott Avenue to through traffic with access permitted only for refuse collection and for the emergency services, and with limited access for deliveries at certain times. Full access for pedestrians and cyclists would be maintained
• A continuous level footway and raised carriageway in natural stone paving at the junction of Draycott Avenue and Donne Place.
• Improved crossing points to improve pedestrian access at Ixworth Place and Ives Street
• Reduced vehicle parking, including the loss of three pay-by-phone bays and two residents’ bays. (This is additional to the two residents’ bays and two pay by phone bays suspended to accommodate outdoor dining as part of Covid-19 relief measures)
• New seating and cycle parking stands 
• Additional street tree and mixed herbaceous planting to improve air quality and biodiversity 
• Incorporation of sustainable drainage systems, where possible, to intercept stormwater runoff and to reduce any potential for flooding in periods of heavy rain
• Spill out spaces for cafes and restaurants to cater for outdoor eating and drinking 
• Space to accommodate periodic events and markets

You said

We received 55 completed questionnaires. Of these 85 per cent supported the scheme. Thirty questionnaires also included comments on various elements of the scheme and we also received three separate emails commenting on the proposals.

The majority of comments were offering general support for the scheme but there were some concerns about the possibility of increased congestion on Ixworth Place and increased pressure on parking. There were also two requests for a drinking fountain and a request for secure bike parking hangars.

We did

In response to the concerns the loss of parking spaces we have reviewed the proposals and have identified the potential to add an additional residents’ parking space by relocating the motorcycle parking bay. As a result, there will only be an overall loss of two residents’ parking spaces. Although we are unable to accommodate secure bike hangers, we have added a drinking fountain to the proposed scheme.

We will now be embarking on detailed design of the revised scheme and the legal agreements with Tribeca for funding the work and for ongoing maintenance of the planting, the street furniture and the drinking fountain. Subject to this being completed, we are aiming to start work in Autumn 2024.

Overview

Why?

The Local Plan (2019) has included the northern section of Draycott Avenue as part of the Brompton Cross District Centre and we have identified an opportunity for this area to act as a focal point for the neighbourhood and local community.

We have therefore put together proposals to create a neighbourhood centre, to enhance the quality of the public realm, and to support commercial and everyday activities.

What are the proposals?

During the last few weeks, we have been developing a proposal to improve the northern end of Draycott Avenue (between its junctions with Walton Street and Ixworth Place) to create an attractive area for local residents, businesses and visitors. The scheme would involve closing a section of the carriageway to through traffic to prioritise access for pedestrians and cyclists and to provide increased public amenities including street trees, lighting, and flexible space for events and markets.

We have listened carefully to issues raised by local businesses and feel that we have a scheme that addresses their concerns and requirements. Before taking the proposals any further we would now like to hear if the local community would like us to implement the scheme.

The main features of the proposed scheme, illustrated in this booklet, are:

• The northern section of Draycott Avenue will be closed to through traffic with access permitted only for refuse collection and for the emergency services. Full access for pedestrians and cyclists will be maintained and access will be permitted for deliveries at certain times
• A continuous level footway and raised carriageway in natural stone paving at the junction of Draycott Avenue and Donne Place
• Improved crossing points to improve pedestrian access at Ixworth Place and Ives Street
• Reduced vehicle parking, including the loss of three pay-by-phone bays and two residents’ bays. This excludes the suspended bays given over to outdoor dining as part of Covid-19 relief measures
• New seating and cycle parking stands
• Additional street tree and mixed herbaceous planting to improve air quality and biodiversity
• Incorporation of sustainable drainage systems, where possible, to intercept stormwater runoff and to reduce any potential for flooding in periods of heavy rain
• Spill out spaces for cafes and restaurants to cater for outdoor eating and drinking
• Space to accommodate periodic events and markets

Your participation in this consultation is voluntary. Should you choose to respond, information about how your data will be processed can be found at the bottom of the questionnaire at the end of this booklet. 

This survey will run for a period of six weeks and will close on Sunday 9 June.

Information from this document can be made available in alternative formats and different languages upon request using the contact details in the 'Contact' section of this page.

What happens next

If the local community is in favour of the proposal, we will continue to develop the design and programme the works to start in Autumn 2024. The scheme is likely to take approximately 20 weeks to complete but we will work with residents and businesses to minimise disturbance.

About Beauchamp Place 

Beauchamp Place is a historical street which runs just off the iconic Brompton Road in Brompton and Hans Town Ward, Knightsbridge.

The street was once a chic and quirky shopping destination, offering respite from the business of the surrounding area. The restaurants were early trailblazers of al fresco dining. The road is dominated by traffic and has lost its charm and much of what made it attractive. 

In recent years, the community feel the area has been somewhat neglected and needs refreshing to bring it back to its former glory. 

The proposals include: 

• widening the pavements 
• improving the street surface 
• introducing traffic calming measures 
• planting new trees 
• removing street clutter 
• cleaning and refreshing 

Next steps 

Following comments raised by the community during the consultation, we have been supporting our engineers, WSP. We are working with them to: 

• develop the technical design 
• arrange surveys 
• work with our highways team to establish any changes that need to be made to deliver the scheme. 

We have worked to the agreement that: 

• any loss of parking spaces will only be allowed if it does not significantly impact the area. 
• improvement works to Beauchamp Place, if allowed to be implemented, will not start until works on Sloane Street are completed and traffic is able to flow on both directions. 
• the widening of the pavements will not impede upon traffic flow on Beauchamp Place or surrounding streets 
• any pedestrian crossing will not impede the flow of vehicles and traffic along the street, while allowing a pedestrian friendly environment. 
• loading bays that allow for pick up and drop-offs via taxis will also be incorporated to the designs on Beauchamp Place. 

We will be writing to residents and businesses in the area to organise basement surveys and notify them of the upcoming Traffic Order required to deliver the works. If you require any assistance, email [email protected]. 
 
How did the project start?  

The community submitted a proposal bid for NCIL funding and were part successful to secure the funding to develop the streetscape strategy and scheme for the road.

Survey research and engagement have taken place in the local area and in conversation with local resident groups, ward councillors and businesses, to develop solutions and ideas for the delivery of improvements. 

The council has been engaging with community groups for the past 18 months on their ideas for improving the area.

Early conversations with stakeholders led to the conceptual creation of design proposals that meet the needs of the community. This went out to consultation last year and closed on Sunday 24 March 2024.

Visit our consultation page for more details:

Beauchamp Place Streetscape Improvements - Kensington and Chelsea's Consultation and Engagement Hub - Citizen Space.

When will the works take place?  

While the works on nearby Sloane Square continue, we will postpone work on this project to avoid causing unnecessary further disruption in the area. We estimate that works could begin in Summer 2025 subject to surveys and final scheme approval. 

About Bute Street 

Bute Street in South Kensington is a focal point in Courtfield ward, offering places for people to meet, drink, dine and shop. It is also home to a farmers’ market every Saturday.  

Trial pedestrianisation of the street during the pandemic revitalised the area and helped to save existing local businesses and attract new businesses. Following that it was suggested, in combination with making the road closure permanent, the council might improve the street’s public areas to make the most of the additional space available and to add more greenery.

Where we are now 

The scheme has been approved and construction was completed in March 2024.

How we got here

During the pandemic the council made several temporary interventions to support businesses, encourage people to meet outdoors safely and to support active travel. One of the schemes was the temporary closure of Bute Street. 

In 2021, the council set up a working group made up of local representatives to look at all the issues and to develop proposals for a permanent scheme, which would close the road to through traffic, create a continuous level footway and carriageway paved in natural stone, and add planting, new seating and space for alfresco dining. It would also continue to support the Saturday farmers’ market.

Consultation with residents and businesses in Bute Street and the surrounding area followed, with 88 per cent of those responding in support of the proposals. In response to comments during the consultation, the scheme has been amended to include a drinking water fountain and to increase the number of market stalls to 21.

Bute Street - Proposed Improvements - Kensington and Chelsea's Consultation and Engagement Hub - Citizen Space.

About Hollywood Road 

Hollywood Road, with its community restaurants and pubs is an example of an area which is well loved by residents and should rightly be a place of beauty to enjoy. However, the environment could be enhanced by adding more greenery and reducing traffic speeds to create a greater sense of space.

Where we are now

The scheme has been approved and construction was completed in June 2024.

How we got here 

In 2020, several restaurants and pubs on Hollywood Road were licensed for additional outdoor dining on the highway and this has subsequently encouraged more of a café culture in the area. We also received requests to make Fawcett Street one-way to tackle the problem of oncoming vehicles, being unable to pass one another.

With input from Redcliffe ward councillors, we developed proposals to improve the streetscape by adding more greenery and reducing traffic speeds to create a greater sense of place. The scheme would also ban the left turn from Hollywood Road into Fawcett Street, effectively removing westbound traffic from Fawcett Street between its junctions with Oakfield Street and Hollywood Road. Two-way cycling on Hollywood Road and cycle access to Fawcett Street would be retained.

In 2023, we consulted the local community on these proposals and received support from 79 of those who responded. In response to comments during the consultation, the scheme was amended to add a second informal crossing point and to include improvements at the Cathcart Road junction.

Hollywood Road - Proposed Improvements - Kensington and Chelsea's Consultation and Engagement Hub - Citizen Space.

About Sloane Square

Sloane Square sits to the south of Sloane Street, connecting Chelsea and Knightsbridge. Featuring major shops, restaurants, bars and cultural venues, it is a destination for residents and tourists alike, all year round. As a busy location, sometimes pavements can become crowded and pedestrians cross the bustling square, either to reach al fresco dining on the middle or as a thoroughfare to reach the public transport network.

Cadogan are funding improvements to the pedestrian experience on the square, with the Council delivering the works. The scheme will:

• Widen pavements at busy pedestrian locations
• Realign pedestrian crossings
• Reduce street clutter
• Reuse materials from the recent transformation of Sloane Street
• Ensure traffic flow is not impacted.

Where we are now

The scheme will be implemented in sections from 1 April 2025 and will be completed before the end of the year.
Changes have been made to the design to account for consultation feedback, including: 

• Additional loadings bays have been included outside Peter Jones. 
• Changes to kerb lines and build outs have been made to address concerns about traffic flow. 
• The bus stop to the south side of the square has been moved two metres to improve alignment for buses turning right

Road closures

Changes to the 360 bus route

Transport for London has advised that during the closure of Symons Street, route 360 towards Elephant & Castle will have to divert at South Kensington from Cromwell Place via Onslow Square, Sydney Place, Fulham Road, Sydney Street and Kings Road, rejoining it’s normal routing at Sloane Square. Buses towards Royal Albert Hall will not be affected. This will mean that Draycott Place and Sloane Avenue will only be served by buses heading towards South Kensington. Passengers in Draycott Place and Sloane Avenue who wish to board route 360 should go to Stop E outside Peter Jones, Stop HV in Onslow Square or Stop HW in Sydney Street.