An influential group of business leaders in London, which champions major public realm projects, has given its backing to a new project that could transform Holborn.
The West End Streets Steering Group (WESt), run by BusinessLDN, has selected Camden Council’s Holborn Liveable Neighbourhood project as its new public realm project to champion following an open competition.
WESt brings together the private sector and public sector stakeholders to promote funding and delivery of major London public realm projects. At any one time it champions three priority projects and following the completion of Strand Aldwych, it will now support Camden Council’s scheme as its latest project following strong competition.
The project proposes significant change across the Holborn area with the aims of reducing the dominance of traffic, enhancing connectivity for active travel and public transport, increasing the safety of the streets and creating a greener Holborn with significant new areas of public realm.
The areas that will benefit from Holborn Liveable Neighbourhood’s public realm improvements include:
- Tourist destinations, such as the British Museum
- Major transport hubs including Holborn and Chancery Lane stations and key links from Bloomsbury Way/High Holborn and Kingsway/Southampton Row
- A key business centre, including London’s legal district and links to The City and further into the West End
- Nationally significant institutions including Great Ormond Street and the Inns of Court
Councillor Adam Harrison, Cabinet member for a Sustainable Camden, said:
“It has been clear for too long that the Holborn area needs safety and public realm improvements. Our thoughts are with the families, friends and former colleagues of cyclists who have died on the roads here.
“Following a range of permanent safety improvements completed over the last few years in partnership with Transport for London (TfL), we are now currently introducing further changes to reduce the risk to cyclists, pedestrians and all road users in the Holborn area.
“This is also a fantastic opportunity to undertake a major transformational project in the heart of London, implementing Healthy Street improvements supported by TfL and building on the outstanding success of the West End Project.
“The scheme will transform the streets in and around Holborn to improve conditions for walking, cycling and public transport, facilitate the expected growth in the area, and support the local economy, creating safer, healthier, greener and more attractive streets.
“Crucially this scheme will see benefits beyond the Holborn area, connecting together the major public realm transformations delivered under the West End Project to the west, Grays Inn Road to the east, and Strand and Aldwych to the south. It will also tie into wider public realm improvements being delivered in Westminster, Islington and the City.
“I am delighted that WESt have selected this project as their champion public realm project and look forward to working with them.”
Lydia Clarkson, Chair of WESt, said:
“Camden Council’s Holborn Liveable Neighbourhood scheme hit all the selection criteria, helping to enhance connectivity and sustainability whilst increasing the competitiveness of Holborn after it has been somewhat overlooked in recent years post-pandemic.
“The range and scale of the interventions highlights Camden Council’s ambition and commitment to delivering meaningful change for businesses, residents and visitors. The decision to deliver the scheme in chunks ensures its deliverability, helping to establish benefits early on whilst continuing to strive towards transformational change in the medium term.”
John Dickie, Chief Executive at BusinessLDN said:
“It is exciting to see Camden Council’s vision for the Holborn Liveable Neighbourhood project. We know that London’s public spaces help London maintain its reputation as an attractive destination for all. These plans show how Holborn can be transformed to become a more vibrant destination with high quality public space that will benefit local businesses residents and visitors.”
The two ongoing priority projects for WESt include the Portman Estate’s Marble Arch Regeneration and Heart of London Business Alliance’s Charing Cross road. The Marble Arch Regeneration scheme seeks to transform the area, to create a safer space that boosts the economies of Oxford Street and Edgeware Road. The Charing Cross Road project will transform the St Martin’s Lane and Charing Cross Road area into a safer and greener space for those who live, work and visit there. work and visit there.
The other shortlisted projects were:
- Great Ormond Street and Queens Square
- Sloane Street
- Grosvenor Street
You can find out more about Holborn Liveable Neighbourhood online here.