HIGHWAYS
With parking bays, uneven pavements
and cars being able to mount the
pavement all previously raised by
residents as an issue, the team decided
to tackle the areas most in need first.
Working with residents, ward councillors
and businesses the highways team
completed a number of shopping
parade improvement projects.
PAVEMENTS
Getting the pavements right was an
essential part of the design for each
project. Making sure the materials used
would improve the look of the area,
getting permission to make changes to
private land owned by the businesses
and ensuring accessibility for people
with disabilities. In some cases that
meant the removal of unnecessary
steps and using non-slip paving.
OFF THE KERB
The design team also had to consider
ways to stop cars mounting the
pavements, especially near schools and
open spaces to be used as community
spaces, not just a walk through. They
achieved this by using thicker paving and
using bollards, railings and lining the new
pavements with trees to stop the cars.
TREES
To maintain the borough’s reputation as
a leafy borough and to brighten things
up, many of the projects had new trees
planted (each with matching surrounds
that help reduce the risk of trips).
BEFORE: Lady
Margaret Road
AFTER: Lady
Margaret Road
Responding to demand
The council has used a number
of different ways to help improve
shopping parades and create a
stronger local economy. Many
projects have come about as a
result of requests from residents
and referrals from ward forums.
One such project was the
transformation of an area behind
shops in Greenford Road, North
Greenford, which was being used for
fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour.
The space, which was meant to be
used by the shops for deliveries had
turned into an eyesore, attracting
dumped rubbish, street drinkers
and an intimidating environment for
anyone passing through.
BEFORE:
North Greenford
AFTER:
North Greenford
Residents, traders and the local
community approached the
North Greenford ward forum for
help. They were given £18,000
towards the costs of clearing the
rubbish, installing new fences and
resurfacing the area. This opened
up the space, with no nooks to
hide behind, increased the number
of business parking bays and made
the area feel safer.
around ealing
Spring 2015
33