Council Asks for Views on Plans to Improve Town Centre

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Consultation includes two open days at Shepherd's Bush Library

Residents in Shepherd's Bush are being asked for their views on a new look for the town centre, worth £3.5m.

H&F Council has a set of proposals for a major transport improvement scheme, covering the area from the eastern ends of Goldhawk Road and Uxbridge Road to Coverdale Road and Devonport Road.

This week the council has launched a public consultation on the proposals, to find out what local residents and business think about the scheme.

The consultation runs until Sunday October 6 and final designs for the project will be based on the feedback the council gets.

There are also two open days at Shepherd's Bush Library, on Thursday September 26, 4pm-7pm, and on Saturday September 28, 10am-1pm, where the designs will be on show and officers will be available to answer any questions.

The scheme includes plans to upgrade and redesign the roads and footways in the area, improve pedestrian crossing points and de-clutter the streets, aiming to provide better links between Shepherd's Bush and White City.

It is claimed that the enhancements will lead to a reduction in the number of road traffic accidents in Goldhawk Road and Uxbridge Road in future.

Councillor Victoria Brocklebank-Fowler, cabinet member for transport and technical services, said: “This is an exciting time for Shepherd's Bush and White City, with many regeneration and development projects in the area and this scheme will also help to bring vitality to this part of town.

“We know that residents and businesses have had to put up with road works in Shepherd's Bush for several years, but this set of works will leave a lasting and positive impression on the area. We want people to find it easier and safer to get around, and this investment will make the area look better and feel more welcoming. We look forward to hearing what people think of the proposed improvements.”

The project meets targets laid out in the Mayor of London’s transport strategy and the council’s own policies, including supporting sustainable growth of population and employment in five regeneration areas across the borough, reducing the number of people killed or injured on the borough’s streets, and improving the roads, streets, air quality and access to transport.

Funding for these works, which are planned to begin in the winter, is coming from Transport for London (TfL), local developers and the council.

The project has also been appointed the council’s flagship Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) pilot scheme. SuDS solutions help to conserve and better manage the amount of rainwater that flows into sewers, helping to reduce the risk of flooding.

The types of suitable SuDS measures that will be used in the scheme are currently being reviewed and are have not been finalised, but could include permeable surfaces and more plants and greenery. The scheme is part of the Mayor of London’s Pocket Parks venture, where small patches of land are turned into green spaces.

Lime Grove has been highlighted as one area that would benefit in particular from improvements to the road and by introducing SuDS.

If the trial in Shepherd's Bush is successful, it could lead to widespread use of SuDS across the borough in future developments.

Other proposals include:
• De-cluttering and widening footways
• Feature paving at the front of the Bush Theatre
• New and revised pedestrian crossings
• Cycle lanes
• Upgraded street lighting
• Tree planting, SuDs and pocket parks
• Road improvements, including raised tables and removing unnecessary signs
• New pavements
• Improvements to the bridge facades in Uxbridge Road and Goldhawk Road
• Potential feature shared space at the front of the University of the Arts London College of Fashion.

Click here for more information on the scheme and to take part in the consultation (opens new window)
 

September 13, 2013