The BID’s work to upgrade a vital gateway to Edgware Road has been successfully achieved with the Sussex Gardens scheme completed on 29 March 2022.
This corner site suffered from a series of problems historically, including fly-tipping and poor surfaces caused by extensive tree roots belonging to one of the area’s biggest London Planes.
The Sussex Gardens scheme involved:
- The removal of the micro recycling centre and railings
- All new paving and kerbs
- A brand-new resin-bound tree pit to accommodate and protect the tree roots while improving the surface for pedestrians
- A small planter with over 80 plants and bulbs
- Lifting the tree branches to 5m above the footpath
- New cycle parking stands
- A new street sign and road signs on nearby columns
- A bench for people to take time out and rest their legs
Full disclosure: Yes we have a pigeon problem.
Westminster City Council, as the Highway Authority, led the scheme and commissioned WSP as designers. The scheme cost approximately £90,000, met from Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding secured through the Hyde Park Paddington Neighbourhood Forum.
The sister project, Burwood Place, was completed on 20 March.
The completed scheme.
Multiple services and utilities lie below this corner site, marked out in advance of the works.
The site being cleared of the old surfaces.
The London Plane had its branches lifted to 5m over the footpath, with dead wooding.
New paving being laid.
Awaiting treatment of the tree pit.
New tree pit being created.
New cycle stands being installed.
The site before the works
The site suffered previously from fly-tipping, associated with the former micro recycling centre bins. Tree roots created trip hazards for pedestrians and the tree was often fenced off with safety barriers. Multiple surface types gave the site a poor visual appearance.
The former recycling centre.
Fly-tipping.
Tree roots caused a trip harard.
