Developing Aldwych’s Public Realm Strategy
Aldwych Gyratory, located at the junction of Strand, Kingsway and Waterloo Bridge in central London, is a multi-lane traffic intersection that carries around 40,000 vehicles, 24 bus routes and a high volume of cyclists every day. Yet it is also part of London’s Theatreland (Lyceum, Novello, Aldwych theatres), site of the Waldorf Hotel, home of institutions and cultural centres (Somerset House, Courtauld Gallery, London School of Economics, King’s College, High Commissions for India and Australia) and historic buildings (Churches of St Clement Danes and Saint Mary-le-Strand, and Royal Courts of Justice), which all give rise to large numbers of pedestrians travelling through and visiting the area.
In 2015, the Northbank Business Improvement District published its Vision for the area, which identified considerable potential for improvement to Aldwych. Major redevelopments in the area (such as 90 Strand, Arundel Great Court and the King’s College London expansion), the proposed Garden Bridge to the south, and the Cycle Superhighway along Victoria Embankment) will change the way Aldwych is used and will introduce new populations to the area, including residents, employees, students and visitors. The Northbank BID, working in partnership with Westminster City Council and Transport for London, initiated a concept design study to identify potential public realm and traffic management solutions for Aldwych.
NRP, in partnership with Publica, was commissioned by Northbank BID and its partners to undertake an initial public realm, traffic and transportation study to identify feasible scheme options for the redevelopment of the Aldwych Gyratory area, which seek to provide benefits for all road users. The study comprised a review of existing conditions, constraints and opportunities, identification and assessment of design options and recommendation of preferred options for detailed analysis. Services included traffic survey specification and analysis, concept option identification study, traffic engineering and road safety design and initial modelling, concept bus, cycle and pedestrian infrastructure design, development of concept parking and loading strategy and presentation to key stakeholders, Project Board and City of Westminster.
