Exhibition Road open for business

After three years of meticulous construction work Exhibition Road has been officially opened by the Mayor of London and the leaders of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the City of Westminster. 

The new-look road features a kerb-free single surface with no barriers or street clutter. Visual and tactile lines distinguish pedestrian areas from those used by vehicles. Cars are slowed by a 20mph speed limit. 

A stunning chequered granite design runs from South Kensington Station to Hyde Park along the full width of the road from building to building. Kerbs, barriers and street clutter have been removed improving access, particularly for those using wheelchairs, push chairs and motorised buggies. Pedestrians can now walk from South Kensington Station to Hyde Park along a newly created public space. 

Black cast iron drainage channel covers run along each side of Exhibition Road, about four metres out from the respective building lines. Beside the drainage channels, strips of `corduroy' tactile warn blind and partially sighted people that they are moving into or out of vehicle free areas.

Tall, sleek street lighting masts have been designed to complement the grand buildings of Exhibition Road.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "Like the many other improvements we are making to London's great outdoors it is projects like these that are not just creating fantastic new places to enjoy but which are supporting and delivering many jobs across the capital.

"This clever approach to rearranging the streetscape at the heart of one of the most important cultural and academic corners on the planet will heighten the whole experience for visitors. In particular it will make it much easier and even more pleasurable for families visiting these unique attractions with space to wander unhindered in an area that puts people first."

Councillor Sir Merrick Cockell, Leader of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, said: "It has taken us the best part of ten years to get here but South Kensington and Exhibition Road finally have the setting they deserve. 

"For 2012 and far beyond, London now has a unique streetscape that will delight our many millions of visitors and which sets a new standard for urban design."

Councillor Daniel Moylan, Deputy Chairman of Transport for London (TfL), said: "The improvements made to this cultural heartland of the Capital are exactly what the Mayor of London's Great Outdoors programme is seeking to achieve.

"The reimagining of the space has transformed Exhibition Road, improving the quality of life for people living and working in, and for those visiting, the area. In addition, the uplift in local retail has helped nearby business and dramatically improved the pedestrian experience.

"It is a great example of how TfL and the boroughs are contributing to transform the streets and public spaces in the Capital in advance of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games."

Leader of Westminster Council, Cllr Colin Barrow, added: "The project at Exhibition Road has made a dramatic impact on the South Kensington streetscape and we are delighted to see the successful completion of these improvements. The streamlined streetscape ensures that the area is at its best for the millions of visitors each year and fits in well with our own streetscape improvements across the City of Westminster."

Arunima Misra, Ambassador for Whizz-Kidz and a wheelchair-using Londoner, said: "It's fantastic to be involved in supporting Exhibition Road to become a more accessible space. 

"Disabled Londoners and tourists want to enjoy the museums and activities along this historic part of the City, just the same as non-disabled visitors. As a wheelchair-user, and Ambassador for Whizz-Kidz, I am passionate about ensuring disabled people have equal freedom of mobility to get around London. 

"In the year that London hosts the Paralympic 2012 games it is all the more important we set a high standard for accessibility."