Henrietta Street Public Realm Improvements Works Update - 26 May 2026

FM Conway have been commissioned on behalf of Westminster City Council to undertake public realm improvement works on Henrietta Street. Works commenced on 15 January 2026 for an estimated 11-month programme. 

The works include footway and carriageway re-construction along the extents of Henrietta Street including sections on Bedford Street and Southampton Street. The construction works are being delivered in phases (shown below) to maintain accessibility along the entire length of the road throughout the duration of the project. More information on project background can be found here.

The phasing plan for the Henrietta Street Public Realm Improvements project. Phases and timings are indicative and subject to change.

In order to undertake the works safely, the closure of Henrietta Street to traffic is required. Appropriate diversion routes will be marked on site. The latest information about project Servicing Plans can be found here, which detail impacts on servicing and deliveries. 

Servicing Plan Update

From Saturday 23 May, vehicular access has been made available from Southampton Street northbound into Covent Garden.

The existing vehicular access from Bedford Street onto Henrietta Street, as far as c. No. 11 Henrietta Street (Sticks’n’Sushi), remains in place for now.

Construction works are expected to progress to Phase 3B in the coming weeks. When this happens, vehicular access from Bedford Street onto Henrietta Street will be removed and only the access from Southampton Street into Covent Garden will remain, in line with the Phase 3B Servicing Plan. This will function as illustrated in the image below.

The Servicing Plan that will come into effect from Phase 3B works until the completion of the project.

The Commonplace news feed will be updated when works are moving to Phase 3B, and this servicing plan change is due to take place.

Traffic flow on Maiden Lane remains reversed to allow through traffic between 7 am and 11 am. Maiden Lane remains closed to traffic between 11 am and 7 am.

Looking Back

Phase 1 (Southampton Street and Henrietta Street Junction – Footways)

Phase 1 works are substantially complete. Fencing has been reduced.

Phase 2 (Southampton Street and Henrietta Street Junction – Carriageway)  

Phase 2 works are substantially complete, with the cobblestoned carriageway having been resurfaced.

The new approach from Southampton Street into Covent Garden.

Our compound site has been reduced to accommodate for the reopening of vehicular access from Southampton Street into Covent Garden.

Phase 3 (Henrietta Street Southern Footway)  

Works on Phase 3 have commenced as of Friday 17 April. As outlined in previous updates, Phase 3 works are being split into sub-phases to minimise disruption to residents and businesses as we move westward along Henrietta Street’s southern footway, toward Bedford Street. These works are taking place as follows:

• Phase 3A: Between No. 1 and c. No. 11 Henrietta Street (ongoing)

• Phase 3B: Between c. No. 11 Henrietta Street and c. No. 16 Henrietta Street (to follow the completion of Phase 3A works)

• Phase 3C: Between c. No. 16 Henrietta Street and All Bar One (to follow the completion of Phase 3B works)

This phasing and timings are subject to change. Any updates or changes as works progress will be communicated via Commonplace. 

Access to residences and businesses will be maintained at all times.

As we progress further into Phase 3, we will have traffic marshals on site to assist and advise drivers.

Phase 3A (Between No. 1 and c. No. 11 Henrietta Street) 

We have begun to excavate and install a new and extended kerb line from No. 4 Henrietta Street towards No. 6 Henrietta Street, as shown in the image below.

The new kerb line on the southern footway of Henrietta Street taking shape.

Phase 4 (Henrietta Street Northern Footway)

A new kerb line has been installed around the Covent Garden junction outside Nespresso; this is so the carriageway area here can be fully completed before works progress further along Henrietta Street.

Phase 5 (Henrietta Street Carriageway)

As an extension of Phase 2 works (Southampton Street and Henrietta Street junction – carriageway), works to refurbish the carriageway across the junction between Henrietta Street and Covent Garden have commenced (see the image below).

The refurbishment of the carriageway taking place across the entrance to Covent Garden from Henrietta Street.

Looking Forward

Phase 3A (Between No. 1 and c. No. 11 Henrietta Street)

We will fully excavate and install the new kerb line from No. 4 Henrietta Street (Notto) to No. 11 Henrietta Street (Sticks’n’Sushi), before levelling and paving the new footway on the building side.

We will also move the drain gully outside Sticks’n’Sushi to the new kerb line.

We will install the first new ‘Loading Pad’, for vehicular deliveries, outside Nos. 7, 8 and 9 Henrietta Street.

Phase 3B (Between c. No. 11 Henrietta Street and c. No. 16 Henrietta Street)

Phase 3B is expected to commence in the coming weeks, as outlined above.

Phase 4 (Henrietta Street Northern Footway)

Outside Nespresso, we will reinstate the pavement temporarily once ongoing Phase 5 and related works are completed.

Phase 5 (Henrietta Street Carriageway)

The refurbishment of the carriageway at the junction with Covent Garden will be completed and this area fully reopened.

Further Information 

If you have any questions while works are taking place, please contact the Public Liaison Officer, Bob Burton. Bob can be reached by calling 07760 962103, although he may not always be on-site. 

Should you require further information or any reasonable adjustment during these works, please do not hesitate to contact FM Conway on 01732 600 700 or email: HenriettaStreet@wsp.com.