Construct - Issue 43

Project

AGREENSPINEBEINGCREATED INWESTMINSTERWILL CREATE ANOASISOF PARKS, PLAYAREAS, AND IMPROVEDBIODIVERSITY BREATH OF FRESH CITYAIR

IMAGE: WSP

A dearth of green space around Church Street in Westminster is being remedied by the introduction of a “Green Spine” that will provide a green walking route through the area for residents, businesses and visitors to enjoy. “At around £7 million, the current Phase 1 of the Green Spine is a considerable undertaking, so we've phased the works

to cause minimum disruption for residents and businesses, but at the same time to get them done as quickly as possible,” says Westminster City Council’s programme assurance manager, highways and public realm, Simon Morgan. Phase 1 runs southeast to northwest for around 400m. At the south end is Lisson Street, formerly a traditional road with carriageway, footway and parking. The Green Spine plan will see this road completely closed to traffic and landscaped to include a new path, with FM Conway installing lighting, children’s play equipment, new trees and other planting to encourage biodiversity. To the west side, the existing Broadley Street and Lisson Street Gardens will be combined and enlarged to create a much bigger green space. Meanwhile, to the north, the scheme also includes widening the pavements at Salisbury Street to make life easier for pedestrians. It is a project that showcases FM Conway's self-delivery capabilities, with the Westminster term maintenance team delivering the footway and carriageway public realm work and the structures division focusing on retaining walls, fences and foundations for granite benches.

FACTS

Project Green Spine (Phase 1) Client Westminster City Council

Principal designer, design lead and project manager WSP FM Conway divisions - Structures - Term Maintenance - Surfacing - Street lighting

- Water & Drainage

Management - Aggregates & Asphalt

16