Henrietta Street Public Realm Improvements Works Update - August 2026

FM Conway has 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 the project background can be found here.

The latest Phasing Plan that has been uploaded to Commonplace, as of July 2026, now reflects how project works have evolved over the past months, as communicated regularly in monthly updates, to maximise efficiency and accessibility. This is shown below and is viewable on the project homepage too.

A Phasing Plan showing indicative timings of the planned works on Henrietta Street. This has been updated as of July 2026.

Looking Back

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

Phase 1 is now substantially complete. The compound site for construction materials on Southampton Street has been removed.

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

Phase 2 is now substantially complete.

Phase 3 (Henrietta Street Southern Footway)  

As outlined in previous updates, Phase 3 works have been split into sub-phases to minimise disruption to residents and businesses as we move westward along Henrietta Street’s southern footway, toward Bedford Street.

Phase 3A (Between No. 1 and c. No. 8 Henrietta Street)

Phase 3A is now substantially complete. 

Phase 3B (Between c. No. 8 Henrietta Street and c. No. 16 Henrietta Street)

Phase 3B is now substantially complete.

Phase 3C (Between c. No. 16 Henrietta Street and All Bar One)

Phase 3C is substantially complete through to All Bar One. 

Works to the remainder of Henrietta Street’s southern footway, at the junction with Bedford Street, will be completed in tandem with Phase 4/5C works, which involve the part of Henrietta Street’s northern footway and carriageway that also form the junction with Bedford Street. 

Phase 4 (Henrietta Street Northern Footway) and Phase 5 (Henrietta Street Carriageway) – Combination of Works

Following the completion of Phase 3, we have commenced work on the remainder of Phase 4 and Phase 5 in combination.

Combining Phase 4 and Phase 5 allows us to complete the required footway and carriageway works in one go, reducing the need to return to certain areas at a later stage and improving efficiency whilst minimising disruption to residents and businesses.

Like with Phase 3, the combined Phase 4 and Phase 5 works are being delivered in 3 sub-phases to further minimise disruption. Again, these phasing and timings are subject to change. Any updates or changes as works progress will be communicated via Commonplace. 

• Phase 4/5A: Between Nespresso and Cora Pearl
• Phase 4/5B: Between Cora Pearl and c. No. 24 Henrietta Street
• Phase 4/5C: Between c. No. 24 Henrietta Street and the Henrietta Street / Bedford Street junction

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

Phase 4A (Henrietta Street Northern Footway Between Nespresso and Cora Pearl)

As noted in previous news updates, a section of new paving around Henrietta Street’s junction with Covent Garden (outside Nespresso) was completed during Phase 3A works.

We have now fully excavated a new kerb line and installed the new footway in this area. This includes the introduction of a new loading pad.

Phase 5A (Henrietta Street Carriageway Between Nespresso and Cora Pearl)

Alongside Phase 4A works, the section of Phase 5A carriageway at Henrietta Street’s junction with Covent Garden was completed during Phase 3A works and this area is open.

The remainder of Phase 5A carriageway works are substantially complete, with the exception of works around one utility covers (one outside Cora Pearl), which we are in the process of installing before finishing the paving around them. This is due for completion by Wednesday 26 August.

Looking down Henrietta Street toward Bedford Street, the new footway and loading pad for Phase 4A is visible to the right, and the new carriageway for Phase 5A is visible in the centre.

One of the two spaces left for utility covers in the Phase 5A area (this one is outside Nespresso).

Phase 4B (Henrietta Street Northern Footway Between Cora Pearl and c. No. 24 Henrietta Street)

We have excavated and installed the kerb line for the new Loading Pad in this area, and begun to install it as shown in the image below.

The installation of the new Loading Pad in the Phase 4B area in progress. This also shows how the carriageway in the Phase 5B area is being excavated and levelled to meet the new Loading Pad.

Phase 5B (Henrietta Street Carriageway Between Cora Pearl and c. No. 24 Henrietta Street)

The carriageway in this area is being excavated and levelled to meet the new Loading Pad, as shown above.

Looking Forward

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

No works are expected in the coming weeks unless lamp columns arrive for installation.

Phase 3 (Henrietta Street Southern Footway)

No works are expected in the coming weeks unless lamp columns arrive for installation. As mentioned above, Phase 3C works will be completed in tandem with Phase 4/5C works.

Phase 4 (Henrietta Street Northern Footway) and Phase 5 (Henrietta Street Carriageway) – Combination of Works

Phase 4A (Henrietta Street Northern Footway Between Nespresso and Cora Pearl)

The footway in this area will be fully reopened by Wednesday 26 August. 

Phase 5A (Henrietta Street Carriageway Between Nespresso and Cora Pearl)

The carriageway in this area will be fully reopened by Wednesday 26 August. 

Phase 4B (Henrietta Street Northern Footway Between Cora Pearl and c. No. 24 Henrietta Street)

We will continue the installation of the Loading Pad before continuing to excavate the new kerb line for the remainder of the Phase 4B area, followed by our usual process of levelling and paving the new footway.

We will install new bespoke paving stones where forecourts exist in the Phase 4B area. These areas are currently indicated by the presence of dark grey paving stones, as shown in the image below. These will be replaced by the new bespoke paving stones in late August / early September. 

The dark grey paving stones which indicate the forecourt areas in Phase 4B where bespoke paving stones will be installed.

Phase 5B (Henrietta Street Carriageway Between Cora Pearl and c. No. 24 Henrietta Street)

We will likewise continue to excavate, level and lay the new carriageway in the Phase 5B area.

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.