Henrietta Street Public Realm Improvements Works Update - February 24th 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 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 new kerb lines and extended footways were completed southbound from the northern end of Southampton Street, along both sides.

Working northbound from the southern end of Southampton Street, we have excavated the existing kerbs and paving from both footways. Pedestrian access has been maintained along the street via the carriageway at this time, with traffic management measures in place to ensure safety.

New kerb stones have been installed on both sides of Southampton Street to mark the boundaries of the new extended footways, around into Henrietta Street.

On The Ivy side of Southampton Street, we have substantially completed the paving of the new footway, including in front of The Ivy’s main entrance. Paving has been substantially completed outside The Ivy and fencing reconfigured to provide more space for restaurant visitors and pedestrians. 

On the Jubilee Market side of Southampton Street, we have excavated for and installed the electrics required for the relocation of the lamp column. Our Lighting Team have now moved it slightly toward the new kerb line and paving of the new footway along this side of the street has started.

The paving of the new footway on The Ivy side of Southampton Street, which is now substantially complete (looking from Southampton Street toward The Ivy’s main entrance).

The area in front of The Ivy’s main entrance, which has been repaved.

Our Lighting Team on-site to carefully relocate the Lamp Column slightly forward outside Jubilee Market during excavations.

Phase 2

The carriageway setts (cobblestones) have been taken out to be incorporated into the expanded footways. Before being laid again, they will be thoroughly cleaned. 

Looking forward 

Phase 1

Third party works to decommission and remove the BT cabinet outside The Ivy will be completed and the pavement will be restored, to match the rest of the new footway.

We will also substantially complete paving works outside Jubilee Market.

Once we have moved onto Henrietta Street, we will follow the same process of excavating the area for the new kerb lines and extended footway, excavating the existing kerbs and footways, and then levelling and paving the area.

This will commence with the area in front of The Ivy’s Henrietta Street façade towards No. 1 Henrietta Street. As this area also includes excavation for a new light column, we will install a bespoke socket and electrical ducting to connect this asset.

The BT cabinet outside The Ivy to be removed (third party works).

The area of paving outside Jubilee Market to be completed.

Phase 2 

When the paving of both footways has been substantially completed along Southampton Street, we will reconfigure fencing to provide pedestrian access via these footways whilst we move onto the removal of the carriageway setts in the centre of Southampton Street, moving toward Henrietta Street. This will include those nearest to EL&N in the Covent Garden corner of Henrietta Street. As before, we will clean the removed setts and re-lay them.

Outside EL&N’s façade, we will also remove static bollards along the boundary with the central carriageway on Henrietta Street. We will continue to remove, clean and re-lay setts along the street’s central carriageway itself throughout March.

Preparatory works for the installation of new bollards will be undertaken. We are awaiting their delivery from the manufacturer.

Central carriageway setts (cobblestones) to be lifted, cleaned and re-laid northbound along Southampton Street.

The EL&N façade along Henrietta Street where we will be removing existing setts (to be cleaned and re-laid) and bollards (to be replaced at a later date once received on-site). 

Other information

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Happy to help

The Henrietta Street Communications Team

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

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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.