NRP is commissioned by Westminster City Council to assist as traffic and transport consultant for the Oxford Street Programme (OSP); a range of projects that will transform the West End.
The scheme aims to ensure that Oxford Street is an extraordinary destination and space for shoppers, tourists, workers, and local residents through the creation of a dynamic and sustainable environment and an enhanced public realm that strengthens the global status of the street and district. The proposals make the experience of Oxford Street better for everyone, with improved public spaces, wider footways, reduced bus journey times and improve operational resilience, improved seating, more trees and a range of planting, attractive lighting, clear wayfinding and any potential traffic impacts mitigated across the wider area.
The Oxford Street District Strategy and Delivery Plan was co-authored by Publica and NRP and was approved by Westminster City Council in the spring of 2019. Since then, NRP has designed the street layout and operation for the whole area which has been split into several projects. Some these, such as the Wigmore Street Corridor, have already been delivered, others are under construction, while construction will begin for the rest in coming years. The Oxford Street corridor, the focal point of the programme, is due for completion in 2026.
NRP were also commissioned to prepare the NEC4 ECC Option A contract for the delivery of the work.
Client:
Westminster City CouncilLocation:
Oxford Street, LondonSector:
Government and Public SectorServices:
Traffic Engineering & Modelling
NRP is the lead transport consultant on Oxford Street Programme (OSP), providing scheme concept design, curbside design & carrying out all traffic modelling and scheme option appraisal, while advising on walking, cycling, inclusive design, sustainable transport, public transport infrastructure design and road safety.
NRP has been responsible for developing a new, flexible operational approach for the district that underpins the development of significant streetscape and public realm proposals. The scheme will transform Oxford Street and the surrounding district to provide a step change improvement for walking, cycling, accessibility and the public realm while maintaining access for buses, taxis, deliveries and private vehicles where and when appropriate.
Our traffic modelling work included developing LinSig, Vissim microsimulation and Visum (ONE) macroscopic models to test options and arrive at an optimised solution that delivers the balance of benefits requested by the community. The modelling gained TfL approval in 2021 and then again in 2023 to take account of some scheme amendments developed following a detailed consultation and engagement process. NRP worked very closely with TfL to agree the process and audit what were the largest Vissim models submitted to date. The modelling has been developed further to provide detailed pedestrian movement and comfort level analysis to assist with the placement and design of street furniture alongside essential security infrastructure.
NRP has engaged directly with stakeholders as part of the OSP team, building support from the business community and understanding the significant range of viewpoints and developing measures and solutions that will ensure that the scheme is deliverable and provides the optimum outcomes for residents, businesses and visitors alike.
Additional projects and investment have already been generated from the project, such as developing an improved grid of cycling routes and other local public realm projects, which will build upon the success of the “Nation’s High Street”.
For the contract preparation, extensive consultation and dialogue was undertaken with the City Council to ensure the contract allowed flexibility with the various work packages, varying levels of resource, funding and being able to deliver a project which transforms the area. NRP ensured value engineering, sustainability and social value commitments were embedded into the contract for the wider benefit to the area, its residents, visitors and businesses for the next generation.
Post contract, our project managers and cost consultants support the Client in delivering the work, managing the contractor and administrating the contract.
