WELCOME WELCOME TO OUR PUBLIC EXHIBITION FOR THE BOND STREET PUBLIC REALM PROJECT. Bond Street Development Plan is one of the key initiatives outlined in the West End Partnership s vision. Bond Street is unique, at the heart of an historic location, with an unmatched reputation for high end retail and directly connected to Mayfair s complementary arts and cultural offer. However, Bond Street s public realm does not currently match its reputation. Over time the street has become tired, with patchwork carriageway, cracked paving, poor signage and outdated street furniture. We believe Bond Street and Mayfair deserves better, and improving the public realm has been identified as a priority in the West End Partnership s delivery plan. Through the project we want to rejuvenate Bond Street, making it the best place in the world to enjoy luxury fashion, watches, jewellery and fine art, as well as being an interesting place to stroll. We also want to reconnect the street to historic Mayfair, creating a place which people want to visit, businesses want to locate to and which residents can spend time in and enjoy. The development of the project has not happened overnight. The proposals are the culmination of years of detailed transport studies, options appraisals, and public realm assessments. This exhibition will seek to answer any questions you may have and help us understand your views on the emerging proposals. At the end of your visit, please fill out a questionnaire. Members of the team are available to answer any questions you may have.
BOND STREET WEST END PARTNERSHIP Formed in 2013 the West End Partnership brings together senior public service and private sector leaders, academic experts and resident representatives. It was created to be the catalyst and mechanism to enable the West End to accommodate growth, whilst at the same time strengthen its unique cultural character, amenity and openness. The West End is one of the most celebrated and exciting places in the world. Comprising just a few square miles, it sits at the heart of a global city projected to expand to ten million people over the next fifteen years. The Partnership will coordinate and initiate action and delivery in response to this growth with new policies, plans and actions which benefit residents, communities businesses and visitor.
CURRENT ISSUES Whilst Bond Street has a fantastic reputation, studies and detailed analysis has identified a number of issues and concerns with the street which we want to address. These include: A PATCHWORK CARRIAGEWAY which has been frequently dug-up and relaid over the years, undermining the overall appearance of the street. AGEING, CRACKED PAVING which is frequently too narrow and discourages people from walking down the street, as well as failing to provide an appropriate setting for the world class retail offer. POOR SIGNAGE resulting in frequent questions as to where Bond Street is, what is located on the street, and how they can access the surrounding cultural and restaurant quarters of Mayfair. A LACK OF PLACES FOR VISITORS TO REST which discourage visitors and residents from visiting the street, experiencing its unique character and remaining in the area. OUTDATED AND CLUTTERED STREET FURNITURE which undermine the overall appearance and reputation of the street. We anticipate that these issues will become more acute once Crossrail opens in Hanover Square and nearby Davies Street in 2018, delivering more visitors and footfall to the area. More widely, we want to ensure Bond Street continues to meet the global challenge from its international competitors in cities like Milan, Los Angeles and Toronto; all of which have received considerable investment in recent years.
OUR PROPOSALS Existing Bond Street/Brook Street junction Proposed Bond Street/Brook Street junction Our proposals, which would seek to address the current issues with Bond Street, would deliver: A high quality, easily accessible environment. A place to dwell and to enjoy a new sense of place Improved parking and better-managed traffic A safer environment The proposals are being brought forward in conjunction with the West End Partnership, which has identified Bond Street as a priority. The proposals also respect and seek to deliver the objectives of the emerging Mayfair Neighbourhood Plan and the Mayfair Traffic Plan which are being led by the Mayfair Neighbourhood Forum and which will be subject to separate consultation. Reduced clutter and noise
A HIGH QUALITY ENVIRONMENT Existing New Bond Street The proposals seek to introduce a high quality, easily accessible environment which reflects its international reputation. To achieve this, we are proposing: An enhanced entrance from Oxford Street which will be developed in association with forthcoming plans to revitalise Oxford Street Wider pavements of robust, quality materials including York stone and granite paving and setts. Improving carriageway and optimising parking and loading spaces. Proposed New Bond Street New signage and wayfinding facilities to help motorists understand the new parking arrangements, and signpost visitors to surrounding restaurants, galleries and other cultural activities in Mayfair.
A PLACE TO DWELL Existing junction of Grafton Street, Clifford Street and Bond Street The proposals also seek to create a place to dwell for visitors, workers, shoppers and residents; creating oases of calm within a busy urban landscape. To achieve this, we are proposing: Keeping the features which make Bond Street special, such as the flags and the historic lighting columns New, better located street furniture and street lighting along the street Proposed junction of Grafton Street, Clifford Street and Bond Street Reduction of clutter Signage to the food and beverage offer in the adjacent streets New public art at key places on the street
IMPROVED PARKING & TRAFFIC The traffic on Bond Street needs to be improved and better managed. Detailed analysis indicates that due to the narrowness of the street, the best way to achieve this is by making better use of the existing one-way system. This would be accompanied by the introduction of innovative stopping and loading points either side of the main street. This would enable us to deliver: Better positioning and management of parking facilities Taxi ranks in key locations which will not inhibit the flow of traffic Enhanced servicing arrangements and delivery consolidation to reduce the volume of commercial vehicles on Bond Street, particularly during busy periods.
REDUCING COMMERCIAL VEHICLES The Commercial Vehicle Reduction Scheme forms part of New West End Company s Bond Street Development Plan; to improve the streetscape in London s most exclusive shopping destination. First, the number of commercial vehicles must be reduced in order to deliver the rest of the Bond Street Development Plan, which will drastically improve the quality of the street s public realm; increasing pavement width and quality, providing better bicycle facilities and preparing the street for Crossrail. The scheme has been split into two phases, with the ultimate goal of reducing commercial vehicles, consolidating waste and improving facilities for visitors, workers and residents. PHASE ONE Phase One is now almost complete and aims to consolidate waste collection. Through the appointment of two preferred waste and recycling service providers, benefits to participating businesses have included: 25% of annual waste removal and recycling costs saved on average PHASE TWO To reduce the number of vans loading and unloading, phase two will include a number of vehicle reduction solutions that are customised for each business. This will ensure loading and unloading times are at a minimum during core trading hours, significantly improving air quality and a better shopping environment on Bond Street. BENEFITS OF THE SCHEME Reduction of waste providers from 47 to 5 75% reduction of waste vehicles 40% less bags left on the street 81% of Bond Street retailers have already signed up to the preferred supplier scheme, and 66% of all businesses on Bond Street. Better client experience Increased dwell time Improved footfall & sales Improved safety & security Improved facilities
A SAFER ENVIRONMENT Integral to our approach is creating a safer more secure environment, which would be achieved by: New enhanced lighting along the whole street, using the existing historic columns in relocated positions to give safety and security and an attractive ambient light Improved pedestrian crossings New signage and wayfinding to help motorists entering the area, and to signpost visitors to surrounding restaurants, galleries and other activities in Mayfair
THE TEAM & FAQs THE TEAM WEST END PARTNERSHIP aims to bring together the key public and private agencies that make up this special area of London, with senior board members from the major public service organisations in the area alongside business, landowner and resident voices. WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL is the local highway authority responsible for Bond Street and the lead partner for the project. TRANSPORT FOR LONDON is the strategic transport authority for London. NEW WEST END COMPANY is a leading business voice for London s West End, representing the people and organisations behind the world s largest retail destination. It delivers management and marketing services to 25 streets within London s retail heartland including Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street. Its aim is to drive the change to create a truly unique West End experience, unlock barriers for economic growth and further strengthen the commercial success of the area and its contribution to UK GDP. BOND STREET MANAGEMENT GROUP is an advisory group made up of key Bond Street retailers and property owners. This group informs and guides New West End Company s Bond Street Development Plan, to deliver significant improvements, driving investment and securing long term benefits for the Bond Street and its surrounding area. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS WHY DOES THE PUBLIC REALM ON BOND STREET NEED IMPROVING? Bond Street s public realm has not had any significant investment for over 30 years. The streetscape is tired as a result. By not investing we risk the area s global customers choosing to go elsewhere to the likes of Paris, Milan, Los Angeles, New York or Toronto. Market leading research from CBRE indicates that investing in Bond Street would help unlock: Additional rental and capital value growth uplift of 3 and 8% Revenue and average sales densities to increase by 10 to 15% Dwell times to increase by 7 to 10% Uplift in residential properties values of 16.6% GVA uplift to wider community of 153m per annum We also anticipate that the proposals would over time offer further opportunities to improve air quality, reduce noise pollution and provide locations for additional greening. WHO IS FUNDING THE PROJECT? The total cost of the project is around 10million. The costs would be met through a combination of private and public sector contributions. WHY ARE OUR VIEWS BEING SOUGHT? We are keen to hear the views of everyone with an interest in Bond Street and the Mayfair area before Westminster City Council begins consultation on the detailed proposals in the spring. WHO WILL DECIDE WHAT SCHEME WILL BE BUILT? The decision will be taken by the Cabinet Members of Westminster City Council and Transport for London, alongside the New West End Company and the Bond Street Management Group. In making their decision, they will take into account the views of all stakeholders.
NEXT STEPS Existing Bond Street/Burlington Gardens Proposed Bond Street/Burlington Gardens TIMESCALES YOUR THOUGHTS SPRING 2016 Subject to approvals Westminster City Council would commence its statutory consultation on changes to the highway. 2017 Seek to start on site with work delivered on a phased basis. DECEMBER 2018 Work to complete in time for the opening of Crossrail. As a partner, the New West End Company s Bond Street Management Group would continue to play an active role in supporting the detailed consultation process. Thank you for taking the time to view our exhibition. Please take this opportunity to give us your comments by filling out a consultation form in hard copy and return this in the boxes located in the room, or via the freepost envelope. This information and any updates will also be available on the project website: www.bondstreet2018.com which will be launched in February.