Strengthening Portobello Road
Portobello Road is our famous market street that is rich in heritage, character and community. We will make sure the road remains a unique place where people are proud to live, trade and work.
On Tuesday 10 February, Leadership team members passed proposals to improve the infrastructure for Phase 1 on Portobello Road, between Chepstow Villas and Westbourne Grove.
Construction will start in early 2027.
The key benefits of the proposals are:
- better road safety – permanent HVM bollards installed at junctions
- better flood resilience – sustainable drainage built in
- power supply for all market stalls
- more trees – creating greenery and shade
- better accessibility and pavements – tarmac street and paving
- better lighting – traditional lampposts
- more opportunities for seasonal lights and decorations
Next steps:
From Tuesday 26 May construction work will begin outside Longlands Court to test construction methods for a new drainage system designed to better manage rainwater and reduce flood risk along Portobello Road.
The construction period will take six weeks, and we will be observing the sites for six months. This will help us understand what’s beneath the road and how best to install the new drainage system, allowing us to deliver future improvements more efficiently and reduce disruption.
Please note that this does not mark the start of Phase 1 building works for the Strengthening Portobello project. Phase 1 works are still due to start in 2027 and we will be providing clear and regular information about construction timetables closer to the time.
Key information about the sustainable drainage works:
- Works should be completed within six weeks. Working hours are 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 2pm on Saturdays, with occasional extended hours if needed
- Works include excavation in the road and footway to install absorbable blocks beneath parking bays
- Some parking bays will be suspended for the duration of the works
- Traders in the affected section will be temporarily relocated, primarily towards the Earl of Lonsdale pub
- Casual traders will be accommodated wherever suitable space is available along the market
- During this time, please display your permit to park correctly
After the work is finished, we will spend six months checking how well the drainage system works. We will also collect information to see how much water the system can hold and manage.
The test area will also provide an opportunity to see the surfacing materials proposed in the Strengthening Portobello project and help to identify the most durable materials.
We know this type of work can be disruptive and there will be some noise at times, but we’ll do everything we can to keep disruption to a minimum. If you have questions about the works, please contact the team at [email protected]
Community engagement
Following three years of engagement with residents, traders and community groups, Kensington and Chelsea Council’s Leadership has agreed to proceed with Phase 1 of the £4.4m Strengthening Portobello Road scheme. The decision follows a six-week public consultation and built on a rigorous participatory process that began in 2023.
To view the consultation feedback summary: Strengthening Portobello Road Phase 1 Consultation - Kensington and Chelsea's Consultation and Engagement Hub - Citizen Space
Portobello Conversations report May 2024
Phase 1
Chepstow Villas to Westbourne Grove will be the first phase of works on Portobello Road. Next phases will take place over several years. This section is where most people arrive and we want to create a welcoming first impression. We want to minimise future disruption to trading by moving stalls to this area as other phases start.
A safer Portobello
The current barrier scheme was based on police advice. We know it has caused issues, and we agree it's not a suitable permanent solution. We’ve listened to your feedback and have improved this permanent scheme. We'll be replacing the interim barriers with permanent sliding bollards. The bollards will be installed at the junctions with Chepstow Villas, Denbigh Terrace and Westbourne Grove.
We've not yet decided how the new bollards will operate. If you would like to take part in conversations about this, email the project team at [email protected] with the subject ‘Portobello phase 1’.
Temporary safety barriers
We introduced new barriers in June 2025, to better protect everyone who lives, works and trades in the area and following advice from the Metropolitan Police. These barriers close Portobello Road to vehicle access during market hours. Vehicles parked in the closed section of the road can still exit, but not return until after 4pm.
Concrete blocks are now at each junction between Golborne Road and Chepstow Villas. Between the blocks are temporary barriers called H-Stops. These get wheeled and locked into place in the morning, then removed in the afternoon.
Vehicle access restrictions
| Road section | Days | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Golborne Road to Chepstow Villas | Friday to Sunday (market days) | 10am to 4pm |
| Cambridge Gardens (Westway canopy) to Elgin Crescent (Duke of Wellington pub) | Monday to Thursday | 10am to 4pm |
| All routes across Portobello Road remain open | All week | 24 hours a day |
When the market closes early for bad weather, we'll reopen the road as soon as it's safe to do so.
Deliveries and drop offs
All deliveries and visits need to take place before 10am or after 4pm or made on foot or by bike from nearby roads.
Visiting vehicles can park or drop passengers off on side roads. We've created additional loading areas on new sections of single yellow line. No vehicles can access Portobello Road during the restricted hours, except for residents who hold Blue Badges. Arrangements are in places to ensure the emergency services have full access at all times.
Report an access issue
If you would like to report an issue with these access changes, emailportobello@rbkc.gov.uk. We'll pass your query to the relevant team.