Henrietta Street Public Realm Improvement Works Update - 28th January 2026

FM Conway have been commissioned on behalf of Westminster City Council to undertake public realm improvement works on Henrietta Street. Works commenced on 15th 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 will be delivered in phases to maintain accessibility along the entire length of the road throughout the duration of the project.

In order to undertake the works safely, the closure of Henrietta Street to traffic will be required. Appropriate diversion routes will be marked on site. A diversion plan  is available on the website, which details the impacts to servicing and deliveries.

During Phase 1, Henrietta Street will remain open for servicing and deliveries between 7:00 am and 11:00 am. Access from Southampton Street will be closed, with an alternative route provided via Russell Street and Covent Garden.

Looking back

Phase 1

A construction compound has been established on Bedford Street. A welfare unit has been established inside the compound for staff. Neighbouring residents and businesses have been informed and provided with contact details for the project team.

The direction of traffic on Maiden Lane has been temporarily reversed from eastbound to westbound for the duration of the works, to aid traffic flow.

Excavations for the new footways have begun southbound from the northern end of Southampton Street, along both sides.

The construction compound established on Bedford Street

Fencing to secure the works are and 'business as usual' signage

Excavation works commencing from the north end of Southampton Street

Looking forward

Phase 1

Construction materials will begin to arrive on site and will be stored both at Bedford Street and also within existing fencing on Southampton Street. More fencing will arrive to replace any low-level placeholder fencing.

As our concrete delivery has now arrived, we will reverse direction to work northbound and install new kerbs, level the excavated areas and begin to pave new footways – starting on The Ivy side of Southampton Street. Pedestrians will be diverted to the Jubilee Market side of Southampton Street during this time.

Once works are completed on The Ivy side of the street, pedestrians will be diverted to this new footway, and the works will be repeated on the Jubilee Market side of the street. During this time, the works area will also be extended to include some of the junction onto Henrietta Street from Southampton Street. As before, we will start the process for excavating a new and extended footway, installing new kerbs, and then levelling and paving.

Within the next month, it is likely that we will move around the corner of Southampton Street onto Henrietta Street, on The Ivy side, to continue excavation and paving. The Public Liaison Officer (PLO), Bob Burton, will be available to discuss this with The Ivy and other affected stakeholders on the other side of the junction when works advance.

Once all footways are complete, we will start to excavate the carriageway on Southampton Street and then move to the junction with Henrietta Street. More information about this phase of works will be communicated in future updates.

Other information

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Happy to help

Henrietta Street Communications Team

Website: https://henriettastreetimprovements.commonplace.is/

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.

Email: Henriettastreet@wsp.com

WSP are acting on behalf of Westminster City Council. To the best of our knowledge, the information contained herein is accurate and reliable on the date of the email. However, we do not assume any liability for the accuracy and completeness of the information contained herein is accurate and reliable on the date of the email.