Amazing Spaces

A safer Portobello Road

Building resilience. Protecting community. Securing Portobello.

Portobello Road is a world-renowned market street that is rich in heritage, character, and community.  We have been developing ideas with local people to improve the infrastructure of Portobello Road for over two years. We support the wishes of residents, traders and businesses to ensure Portobello remains a unique place where people are proud to live, trade and work. At the core of all Portobello improvements is our responsibility to prioritise safety.

 

Introducing new barriers

Portobello Road is one of London’s most popular street markets, attracting thousands of visitors every week. To better protect everyone who lives, works and trades in the area and following advice from the Metropolitan Police, we will introduce new barriers that more efficiently restrict vehicle access during market hours. 

To do this, we are installing concrete blocks at each junction between Golborne Road and Chepstow Villas. Between the blocks we will be using temporary barriers called H-Stops, that get wheeled into place every morning, locked into place and then removed in the afternoon. 

We recognise the change in routine this may require, and we deeply appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we make these changes. These changes will come into effect by the end of June.

 

New vehicle access restrictions

Days	Time	Road section	Exceptions
Friday, Saturday and Sunday market days	10am to 4pm	Golborne Road to Chepstow Villas	Emergency services
Monday to Thursday	10am to 4pm	Cambridge Gardens (Westway canopy) to Elgin Crescent (Duke of Wellington pub)	Emergency services
All week	24/7	All routes across Portobello Road remain open	N/A

 

Contact

If you would like to report an issue with these access changes, contact us by emailing [email protected] and your query will be passed to the relevant team.

Safety barrier FAQs

Wider improvements

We are still progressing the permanent scheme, which will improve flood mitigation and defences, road barriers, pavement surfaces, lighting, wayfinding and greening. Construction works for these improvements are expected to start in phases from late next year. We will have more information on this project over the next few months.

 

Consultation feedback

In 2024, we asked for your feedback on a series of proposals developed in collaboration with local people. These aimed to protect the unique character of Portobello Road and market while improving the safety and infrastructure of the area.

Through your feedback, we heard widespread support for road safety measures including:

Stronger enforcement of road closures Safer pedestrian crossings at key junctions Better-quality barriers to protect traders and market goers.

 

You can find out more about the consultation feedback by visiting consult.rbkc.gov.uk.

 

Project FAQs

How we got there

We have been working with the community for more than two years to ensure that proposals reflect the needs and wishes of those who live and work in Portobello.

 

January 2023 

• Community told us to stop the design competition and ensure better consultation.
• Developed an in-depth engagement plan that aimed to listen, learn and utilise the experience of residents, traders and businesses

 

May 2023 

• Open recruitment process to apply to a newly formed Portobello Engagement Oversight Panel (PEOPL). 
• We received 48 applications from across North Kensington and 24 members were recruited who represented the area.  
• The panel helped outline a plan for effective and transparent conversations with the community and scrutinise its implementation

 

July 2023 

Commissioned WSP consultants to run traffic and utilities surveys and conduct studies on the project area. 
  

February 2024 

• Portobello Conversations workshops were held with 41 people attending the sessions (out of 750 invitations made).
• 98 people were interviewed at the market over two days.
• The exercise was independently facilitated by engagement experts Thinks Insight and Strategy and PlusFour Market Research

 
May 2024

Recommendations report approved by participants, reviewed by the engagement oversight panel, and supported by lead members.

July 2024 

• Consultation opened on draft proposals, including key principles for the whole road and focused interventions for the Antiques Gateway between Chepstow Villas and Westbourne Grove, including the junction of Denbigh Terrace.
• AI chat tool powered by Hello Lamp Post launched to provide explainers about the project and a 24/7 communication channel for the community to share feedback about the proposals

October 2024 to June 2025

• Consultation closed. 
• Feedback was analysed and the project plans were amended based on details the community answered in the survey. 
• A safety barrier scheme was prioritised for implementation while the project plans continue to be developed

 

How does it involve the market?

We will ensure that the market remains vibrant and maintains its community-led character while addressing what improvements can be made to keep Portobello Road a unique place to explore, shop, eat and spend time in. 

Portobello Market is a world-renowned market with a 150-year history. We will nurture a market street that is resilient, healthy and safe, serving both the local community as well as attracting visitors.

For any works taking place on the road, every effort will be made to minimise disruption to the market.

 

What are the citizen recommendations for improving the infrastructure of Portobello Road?

Members of the community worked together in early 2024 to develop a series of recommendations which were a starting point for improvements to the road. The council committed to considering the recommendations carefully and where it isn’t possible to implement a recommendation, to explain the reasons clearly.

There was a strong sense from participants that any improvements should respect the identity of Portobello as a street market, busy, lively, with a mix of traders and businesses, serving the community as well as being a tourist destination.

The citizen recommendations are as follows:

 

Hostile vehicle mitigation

The council remains committed to installing permanent safety barriers in line with the citizens’ recommendations in the long term. Our priority is to install something more robust as soon as possible and then take lessons from the temporary scheme to refine proposals for permanent barriers. 

During consultation, not all residents felt hostile vehicle mitigation was necessary and that any intervention shouldn’t interfere with the functioning of Portobello Market. For example, it should allow access for emergency vehicles, traders’ vehicles, and not obstruct the flow of pedestrians. 

Following a vote, most agreed that hostile vehicle mitigation should be minimal rather than offer co-benefits. For example, there was a preference for retractable bollards or gates, rather than creating seating out of barriers. 

It was emphasised that hostile vehicle mitigation measures should be well maintained.

 

Seating

The placement of seating:

• should not restrict the flow of people through the market.
• should not limit the accessibility of the market (e.g. take up space on pavements).
• should be sympathetic to residents. There was a preference to use already available public spaces, e.g. Tavistock Gardens.
• seating on Portobello Road itself should be temporary, for example, removed at the close of trading

 

Power and water infrastructure

All trading pitches should have access to electricity. The provision of electricity should be modernised to allow for sharing between different traders.

 

Movement through the market

Participants acknowledged that some traders need their van close to their pitch but also felt that parking arrangements could be improved. Any change should be optional and incentivised.

Suggestions included:

A trader and business permit to allow parking on nearby roads. This would be cheaper than the cost to park vans on Portobello Road. Changing the layout of parking so vans and pitches are in a single row. The side of the road can be swapped each week to mitigate the obstruction to businesses. Increasing the availability of storage for traders to reduce the need for vans on the market itself.

There was no agreement on further pedestrianisation of the market, but participants were generally supportive of measures to improve safety, for example matching the temporary road closure more closely with the operating hours of the market.

 

Surfaces

The surface of the road and pavements need to be improved. The surfaces should be high quality, ‘grippy’, level, accessible and well maintained. Following a vote, most wanted to keep kerbs and avoid a single level (reflecting the nature of Portobello as a street market).

Kerbs should be an appropriate height (at the moment some are very high) and dropped kerbs on opposite sides of the road should match.

Aesthetically, the surfaces should still look like a road to be in-keeping with the identity of the market. This means largely avoiding ‘funky designs’, however, subtle design to promote wayfinding is permitted

 

Security 

More needs to be done to protect against day-to-day crimes and dangers. This includes theft and dangerous driving (e.g. from mopeds).

Suggestions included:

• Increased CCTV.
• A visible enforcement presence.
• A lost property hub should be created

 

Lighting

It is essential lighting is improved on Portobello Road to improve security.

• Lights should be all the way through the market and work all year.
• Lighting should also be used to create an atmosphere and promote wayfinding. It should be used:
• To make the market seem open and inviting, particularly at the north end and in winter.
• To celebrate different festivals, e.g. Christmas and Diwali.
• Lighting should be sympathetic to residents.
• Lighting should be in-keeping with the current style of the market and street

 

Signage

The market needs better signage. Participants recommended signage to cover:

• Functional signage: to facilities, points of interest, access arrangements etc.
• Signage to promote a welcoming environment: ‘Welcome to Portobello Market’; ‘Market Open’ rather than Road Closed; signs to encourage footfall to the north end of the market by the Spanish School

 

Greening

Greening should not interfere with the function of the market. For example, the movement of people. No consensus was reached on specific greening interventions.

 

Flooding

• It is essential work should be done to mitigate flooding and improve drainage. (NB: There was no consensus on sustainable urban drainage systems or the detailed design). 
• Speed bumps should be revised to avoid making flooding worse. 
• There should be better cleaning around areas prone to flooding

View the full recommendations report.

HMV (Hostile Vehicle Mitigation) FAQs

Are there changes to parking?

We will soon be making the following changes to parking on and around Portobello Road to make parking fairer and more accessible especially for disabled people and loading needs.

• More blue badge bays in several locations to improve access.
• More single yellow lines to help with loading/unloading near junctions

What is Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM)?

HVM refers to physical security measures designed to prevent vehicle-based attacks and protect public spaces with high footfall.
For more information about hostile vehicle mitigation:

• Vehicle As a Weapon (VAW) Detection Guidance | Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) | NPSA.
• https://www.npsa.gov.uk/resources/protecting-pedestrian-queues-vaw-0.
• Vehicle as a Weapon (VAW) | ProtectUK 

Will I be able to drive on Portobello Road during closure hours?

No. Please move your car before 10am if needed during the day and return only after 4pm. Emergency services are the only exception.

Why are you introducing these changes now, and why weren’t we told sooner?

Following Police and specialist advice, temporary barriers are being installed urgently to protect public safety. We carefully timed communications due to the sensitivity of the subject and the need to finalise operational details.

Why couldn’t you choose a method that allows safe vehicle access? / Why can’t I or my visitors drive in?

We’ve taken a firm approach to restrict all vehicle access between 10am and 4pm, following advice from the Police and security specialists. This helps ensure crowd and pedestrian safety during market hours.

How is this different from previous arrangements?

Previously, access was managed with lightweight barriers and occasional vehicle movement. Now, access is fully restricted during closure hours, no vehicles in or out, except in emergencies.

Why hasn’t there been further consultation?

This action builds on last year’s consultation under the Strengthening Portobello Road project. We're acting on urgent safety advice while continuing to develop a permanent scheme with community input.

How should I manage deliveries, services, and collections?

All deliveries, including personal items, groceries, market stock, business supplies, and services like repairs or carers, should either be arranged before 10am or after 4pm, or made on foot from nearby roads.

How can visitors, carers, or taxis access the area?

They should park (or be dropped off) on adjacent side roads and walk in. No vehicle access to Portobello Road is allowed during closure hours.

Can traders still park or leave early?

Traders can access and park before 10am but cannot move vehicles between 10am and 4pm. If early departure is likely, park outside the closure area.

Why are pitches being moved?

Some pitches need to be relocated to allow safe barrier installation and reduce risk of harm to traders near junctions. 

What time should traders arrive and leave?

All traders must arrive and set up before 10am, when the road closure begins. Traders will not be able to leave the market in their vehicle until after 4pm. 

How can my customers collect orders?

Arrange collections before 10am or after 4pm or ensure customers can collect on foot from nearby roads.