Westminster City Council is launching a consultation for the permanent alfresco scheme on Warwick Way and Churton Street in Pimlico.
The consultation, which will run for 8 weeks from 15th December, will ask residents and businesses to provide feedback on proposals developed by the council for the permanent scheme, which aims to create a pleasant environment for residents, allow more people to enjoy local hospitality businesses, help grow the local economy and rejuvenate the high street completely.
In the summer of 2020, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, a temporary alfresco scheme was implemented on these two streets to help support local hospitality, providing restaurants, cafes and bars with outside dining facilities.
Due to the popularity of the scheme and strong support from the local community and resident associations such as the Pimlico Neighbourhood Forum (PNF) and FREDA (an umbrella organisation of all residents associations in Pimlico), it was collectively agreed that the council would develop a permanent highway scheme that would see significant improvements to Warwick Way and Churton Street.
The permanent proposed scheme aims to:
Provide improved space for pedestrians by reducing traffic and extending footways
Better accessibility for everyone and more greening possibilities with the planting of trees at Warwick Way
Improved lighting and drainage, and improved existing loading provision
Improved level of service for cyclists
Create an enhanced business environment.
The original consultation, held between August and September 2021, found significant support for developing a town centre vision for Pimlico including a permanent alfresco scheme and retaining the temporary measures until the permanent scheme is to be implemented (84% and 83% of residents and local businesses were in favour of the proposals). This has given the council a mandate to develop proposals for the permanent scheme now being consulted on.
Cllr Paul Dimoldenberg, Cabinet Member for City Management and Air Quality at Westminster City Council said:
“We’ve listened to what residents and businesses have said following the success of the temporary alfresco scheme at Warwick Way which was implemented during the pandemic, and now we want to know what people think about our permanent plans for the area.
“We want to encourage everyone to give their feedback so that we can create a pleasant environment for the local community and visitors to enjoy, provide a great place for local hospitality businesses to thrive and provide better provision for walking and cycling.”
The final consultation will commence on Thursday 15 December 2022 and will last for 8 weeks, until Thursday 9th February 2023.
