From pavement to park
Work has now also started on site with initial investigation trial holes being dug and the creation of a site compound.
This transformed public space will form part of the biggest council-led public realm and transport scheme the borough has ever seen. The West End Project is addressing traffic congestion, road safety, poor air quality and the fact that this area has previously had less than the Camden average of public open space.
The council consulted with residents, businesses and local interest groups to create concept ideas and understand local issues for this location. The final designs were then developed from these ideas following further technical studies and survey work.
“The creation of a totally new park in the midst of a bustling city centre is a cause for celebration.
“Alfred Place will be the first new green space for this part of the borough in a quarter of a century, innovatively turning road space into green space and further strengthening the environmental credentials of the entire project, with greening the area being an integral part of this.
“The park will be complete with places for children to play, lawns to relax on and a meandering pathway to enjoy. The space will include a variety of different plants, which are biodiverse to attract birds, bees and butterflies. Stepping stones will create cut throughs and all the mature trees will be retained. Access to businesses on the western side will be maintained and new cycle stands installed.
“We are pleased to award the contract to idverde, who have also been working fantastically on the regeneration of Whitfield Gardens. We look forward to working with them on another green space for Camden’s West End.”
Alistair Bayford, Operations Director at idverde, contractors at Alfred Place said:
“We’re delighted to have been awarded the works to transform the existing road space at Alfred Place into an exciting new park for local residents, workers and visitors to the area.
“We are already very proud of the part we play in the daily management and maintenance of parks and open spaces across the Borough, so after our recent works at Whitfield Gardens we’re honoured to continue our role in the transformation of the area as part of The West End Project to make the public realm and streets throughout the Borough cleaner, safer and greener.
“Alfred Place will close a street to become the first new public park in this area in a quarter of a century, creating new playable and horticulturally rich spaces in a place previously dominated by the car.”
As well as changing the road in Alfred Place into a park, the project also includes the regeneration of Whitfield Gardens, which has been completed, the creation of new pocket parks along Tottenham Court Road and the transformation of Princes Circus in Holborn.
