RETAIL & LEISURE WEEK: Westminster City Council has unveiled images of its £10m public realm improvement scheme to transform the streetscape on Bond Street, W1.
In partnership with the New West End Company and Transport for London, as well as the support of businesses on Bond Street, the 18-month project forms part of a multi-million private and public sector investment programme for the wider West End to ensure it is “Elizabeth line ready’”. Once completed, the new Elizabeth line will bring an additional 60m visits each year to the West End.
The project aims to enhance the experience for pedestrians while still allowing traffic on the street. Phase 1 works will take place on New Bond Street between Bruton Street and Grafton Street and include the pedestrian area where the Allies Sculpture is situated.
The transformation will entail the widening of footpaths and an introduction of York stone, green granite and silver granite paving to replace the patchwork carriageway and cracked footway paving. These improvements will be mirrored across the carriageway and footpaths of the entire stretch of New and Old Bond Street.
The Allies Sculpture, one of Bond Street’s most significant landmarks, will be restored in the Phase 1 period and will include the replacement of Churchill’s cigar.
The area between Burlington Gardens and Bruton Street will also undergo a transformation during the next phase of this project and will include a new paving layout to create a more intimate and pedestrian-friendly space.
The Bond Street project is part of a wider package of improvements proposed for the area by the West End Partnership to secure and enhance the area’s unique combination of diverse businesses and cultural attractions.
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