Proposals

Project Overview

We are seeking feedback on proposed changes to Henrietta Street. 

Building a newly pedestrian space Westminster City Council with partners, are proposing to improve the public realm of Henrietta Street by creating a more vibrant and accessible public space that improves accessibility, supports local businesses and enhances the street's appeal for residents and visitors. 

Proposals for Henrietta Street Public Realm Improvements

Henrietta Street is currently arranged as a regular traffic bearing road with a dominant carriageway and relatively narrow raised footways.  Following the approval of the Covent Garden Neighbourhood Traffic Management Scheme (NTM) in March 2023, Henrietta Street is now permanently pedestrianised for 20 hours per day (cycling is permitted on Henrietta Street at all times). This has created an opportunity to consider highway and public realm improvements to reflect the fundamental change in the street's usage and provide an enhanced pedestrian environment and experience and make the space more accessible.

These proposals are intended to revise Henrietta Street to align with the broad principles for pedestrianised streets. 

There is also opportunity to review the current approved al fresco dining arrangement to improve its flexibility and integration in a fully considered public realm (subject to a separate approvals process).

The Henrietta Street Public Realm Improvement scheme seeks to upgrade the street broadly in line with the successful improvements in neighbouring King Street which were completed in 2014. Key features of the proposals for Henrietta Street include: 

• Widening the footway and reducing the width to level the road creating a smooth, even surface along Henrietta Street. This will improve accessibility and align with the broad design principles for a pedestrianised street.

• Upgrade current street surfacing with high grade materials in the same colour mix as King Street to improve the historical setting of the Market Building and Piazza.  

• Creating a level surface across the street and with the Covent Garden Market Piazza to improve connectivity, especially for those with impaired mobility. 

• Lift and relay existing cobbles at the junction with Southampton Street to create a more even surface. Provide a level pathway across the street to link the Market Building with the Henrietta Street southern footway. 

• Improvements to public lighting whilst maintaining the heritage listed gas-lit lamp columns. 

• Supporting local businesses by providing the opportunity for a more flexible and integrated/considered al fresco dining arrangement, subject to separate licensing and approvals. 

• Providing dedicated loading bays. 

Have your say

Westminster City Council would like to hear your views via the questionnaire. We’ll consider your responses to help improve the proposals further before they are put before cabinet members at Westminster City Council for decision to proceed to implementation. Please respond by 4 November 2024. 

Drop in to one of our events to learn more and ask questions about the Henrietta Street Public Realm Improvements.  

23rd October 2024: 12-2pm - 16 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8QH 

and 

31st October 2024: 5-7pm - 16 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8QH