New look of Exhibition Road
17 February 2010
Exhibition Road has long suffered from pedestrian overcrowding, poor disabled access and dangerously fast traffic. Local councils and the Mayor of London have recently launched a massive £25 million scheme to redevelop Exhibition Road into a single surface that pedestrians and vehicles both share, helping to reduce congestion and traffic speeds.
The first part of this redevelopment has concentrated on the area around South Kensington underground station, removing the one-way traffic system and creating large pedestrianised areas to the south of the station and along Thurloe street. Reporter headed down there to see if the new changes have been popular with the locals.
Vicky Carter, secretary
“I really like the new space, it’s really wide and open, and much friendlier for pedestrians! I think it will be great in summer – they could put tables and a café out here. It would be a lovely place to have a cup of coffee.”
Jerome Cordier, accountant
“I cross here every day to go to work. Before, I thought it felt dangerous crossing the road here – everything was very cramped. Now it’s very open and you can see much better. I am pleased that even in a recession they are making the city better for people, it makes me very glad to live and work here.”
Marko Aunedi, Research Associate (Electrical Engineering)
“I think the new development looks fantastic, and I especially like the way they are pedestrianising the roads. I think the area around the station is much improved – I go there for lunch sometimes and it feels friendlier and less dominated by traffic. I’m looking forward to what they will do with Exhibition Road.”
Read more about the Exhibition Road Project
Tags: Exhibition Road, Faculty of Engineering, Issue 214, News
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