Henrietta Street Public Realm Improvements Works Update - September 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.

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)

As outlined in previous updates, 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

Work is ongoing 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. This improves efficiency and minimises 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 maximise accessibility and further minimise disruption. 

Phases 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 completed all paving works in this area. It is now cleaned, sealed and re-opened.

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.

With utility covers now installed, we have also completed all carriageway works in this area. It is now cleaned, sealed and re-opened, as shown in the image below.

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

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

We have re-paved a large extent of the Phase 4B area, cleaning and sealing the new footway as we go to enable us to remove fencing and open up as much of the streetscape as possible. Completed works include the installation of another loading pad.

Outstanding works include the installation of bespoke paving stones at the forecourts of 4 retail units in the Phase 4B area. The existing paving stones which they replace will be excavated by hand, and the new paving stones installed by hand, to protect shallow lying vaults outside the retail units.

Looking toward Covent Garden, this image shows the new footway and carriageway installed in the Phase 4B/5B area. The smaller area where the bespoke paving stones will be installed is shown to the left of the image, marked by dark grey placeholders.

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

Carriageway works in the Phase 5B area are underway and are scheduled to be completed by Friday 25th September. This includes the carriageway being repaved, cleaned, and sealed, with fencing removed. 

Phase 4C (Henrietta Street Northern Footway Between No. 24 Henrietta Street and the Henrietta Street / Bedford Street Junction)

Fencing has been extended into this area as far as the junction with Bedford Street to allow third-party utility companies (Vodafone and Colt) to complete works on their assets. On inspection as part of these works, Vodafone has relocated its asset into the carriageway to accommodate other utilities.

We have commenced excavations for the new kerb line in this area which will define the new extents of the footway and carriageway. This will be followed by installing the new kerb stones, levelling and concreting the area, and installing the new paving stones.

Phase 5C (Henrietta Street Carriageway Between No. 24 Henrietta Street and the Henrietta Street / Bedford Street Junction)

Works are ongoing to install the new carriageway in this area in tandem with the works to install the new footway.

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. These are expected in early October.

Phase 3 (Henrietta Street Southern Footway)

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

As mentioned above, Phase 3C works will be completed alongside with Phase 4/5C works, which are outlined below. When and where Phase 3C works are extended into Henrietta Street’s junction with Bedford Street, pedestrians will be safely rerouted.

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)

Phase 4A works are substantially complete.

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

Phase 5A works are substantially complete.

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

Phase 4B works are substantially complete, with the exception of the bespoke paving stones to be installed in the areas outside the retail units as outlined previously. 

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)

Following the completion of the carriageway works due by Friday 25th September, Phase 5B works will be substantially complete.

Phase 4C (Henrietta Street Northern Footway Between No. 24 Henrietta Street and the Henrietta Street / Bedford Street Junction)

Once excavations for the new kerb line in this area are complete, we will install the new kerb stones, level and concrete the area, and install the new paving stones.

When and where Phase 4C works are extended into Henrietta Street’s junction with Bedford Street, pedestrians will be safely rerouted.

Phase 5C (Henrietta Street Carriageway Between No. 24 Henrietta Street and the Henrietta Street / Bedford Street Junction)

Works will continue to install the new carriageway in this area in tandem with the works to install the new footway.

When and where Phase 5C works are extended into Henrietta Street’s junction with Bedford Street, pedestrians will be safely rerouted.

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.