Reduced Connaught Village scheme to go ahead

Council says reduced Connaught Village scheme will go ahead, despite being three times less popular than the previous plan

Westminster Council has released the results of the latest consultation for Connaught Village Green, and it has confirmed that the £1.4m scheme will go ahead in its reduced form. But the results are very illuminating, and we at HyPER think they are important for residents to know about – not just because they are important for this project, but because they shed light on what local people care about more generally too.

Less than a fifth of respondents support the current scheme, and dozens of the comments showed people’s feelings about it. “I have to say that I am disappointed with (the) proposal compared with the original scheme sent to us” says one. “I expect that the Connaught Green project, on its own, will have no impact on the volume of traffic running through our high street. This is the single biggest issue facing our declining, cherished high street” says another.

Blogging site Freshminster have analysed the results of the consultation in detail, which we have checked, and are sharing them with you in this piece.

The consultation was not widely publicised and did not have an online version, but it attracted 75 responses, showing that this is an issue local people really care about. But as mentioned, only 19% of respondents, less than a fifth, supported this new watered-down scheme as is.

Over half, 56%, opposed the current scheme. And interestingly, over half of those who opposed the design (62%) were against it because they wanted to see a more ambitious scheme which included traffic reduction. In other words, way over half of those who opposed the current plan did so because they wanted it to be more ambitious.

There is one big problem with the watered-down scheme, say residents, and that is that it doesn’t deal with the traffic.

As we know, Connaught Village is dominated by traffic, and with the new scheme, Kendal street and Connaught street will remain two way, with no attempts to change the traffic flow. But there was comment after comment from local people saying they are unhappy about this (even we were surprised at how many people expressed this view in the consultation results).

“The proposal … does nothing to reduce the Rat Run of vehicles that use Connaught Village to drive at speeds all hours of the day. This is not a neighbourhood due to this road; it is simply a traffic highway”

“I am disappointed that Kendal Street will remain two way and I cannot understand why residents (and businesses) should favour a continuous flow of through-traffic (a rat run) over the safety of pedestrians and the relative calm of the village”

Residents hoped for something more like Westminster’s St John’s Wood High Street

A number of residents commented in the consultation that they were hoping that this scheme would be more like the design of St John’s Wood High Street, which has been very popular. A one-way system has been implemented, with wide pavements and more seating. One says: “The new one-way system in St Johns Wood High Street has worked to improve the area, both for pedestrians and business, and it is of concern that we could not benefit from such a scheme for Kendal Street”.

Freshminster has written a piece on it here.

The council’s previous plans that started to tackle the traffic were much more popular

As most of you will know, the council previously put plans forward that included reducing traffic to one lane and one-way on Kendal Street. (In fact, you can see it looked in parts rather like the St John’s Wood High Street scheme above). This plan would also have left much more space for pedestrians on the pavements.

This plan was much more popular with locals- over half, 57% of respondents supported it. In fact, it was three times more popular than the current plan.

You can read a number of the comments about what residents thought of it, such as: “Best thing the Council can do. VITAL”, and “Taking back local urban spaces from cars is in my view positive”.

It also had a majority support- and 35% more people supported this plan than opposed it. In fact, many people thought it was a step in the right direction, but didn’t go far enough.

We said at the time that we would have liked to see a village square, like this:

Why was the plan that had majority support dropped?

Given the previous plan had majority support, why was it binned?

Last autumn, following the consultation results, a meeting was arranged for a weekday lunchtime. It was for our local councillors (Paul Dimoldenberg, Judith Southern, and Md Shamsed Chowdhury) to discuss the latest plans with members of the public. Some HyPER members attended.

We understand that some strong opinions about the plan were aired, and things got quite heated – some residents were worried about traffic building up on other streets, and others were concerned about whether they could still drive through the area. But we also understand that not all at the meeting were locals. One resident said: “some appeared to be non-locals who just wanted to still drive through the area”.

We think it is quite right that locals who had valid concerns had them aired and discussed, and that some people got a chance to talk about their worries. Local people were well within their rights to share any concerns and have them addressed.

However, we would have hoped that our local councillors would have taken this moment to realise that some people needed further engagement about this scheme, and some reassurance. Perhaps they could have done some walking tours, or had other smaller meetings to address any worries. We would also have hoped councillors would have continued engaging with these residents, whilst also looking at the bigger picture. This was a scheme with a majority support, and dozens and dozens of comments in its favour.

We know there were many people who supported this scheme who simply couldn’t make a weekday lunchtime meeting.

Despite not being representative of everyone’s views, it seems that this meeting spooked councillors. Instead of deciding to stand strong, have confidence and engage further, they folded at this first hurdle, and decided to scale back the scheme.

They sent an email to local residents. “Generally, the project has been very well received” they said. “However, a large number of residents raised concerns about the traffic impacts from the proposed one-way working on Kendal Street. We held a drop-in session …. As a result of the very strong views expressed, we have asked the Highways Team (to maintain) two-way traffic along Kendal Street”.

HyPER’s view is that by deciding to scale back the scheme and try to please everyone, councillors have instead pleased no-one.

We also recognise that change isn’t always easy, but have noted that St John’s Wood High Street, where people also had concerns, has proved to be very popular.

HyPER’s official comment is as follows:

“We’re disappointed that out of a scheme that’s costing £1.4 million, the main problem (i.e. the traffic) is not being tackled. We saw how much people enjoyed our parklet and how much local people wish the street was quieter and safer, and there’s only one way to do this, which is tackling the traffic.”

But there is a positive – what surprised us is how much, on the whole, local people want the traffic dealt with. There was comment after comment in the latest consultation from people saying they want less traffic. As a local residents association, we are proud to speak for locals who want cleaner air, a healthier environment, and safer streets for all of us. In fact, street art in Connaught Village today appears to show what the area would be like if the traffic was reduced…

We hope this reminds our councillors how passionately local residents feel about this issue. At HyPER’s inaugural Have Your Say over 2 years ago, our councillors committed to deal with the traffic “well before” the end of their term in office in May 2026. We do hope that we will start to see some real change soon. Cllr Dimoldenberg has some extra power in this area as he is also the Cabinet member for Highways, so we do urge our councillors to start showing some political leadership when it comes to tackling the traffic in our ward, as soon as possible. The clock’s ticking!

Construction timeline

Construction work is expected to start in October, with estimated completion in May 2025.

A selection of comments from the consultation

Freshminster has helpfully split the comments up, and we think they’ve done a good job of picking out the important ones, so we’ve shared their work below. The full consultation is available for reading here.

Many found the new plans disappointing:

“I have to say that I am disappointed with (the) proposal compared with the original scheme sent to us”

“The proposed scheme for Connaught Village is half-hearted and too limited in scope”

“It delivers almost nothing of substance to the businesses and the people who rely on Connaught Street to live and work and does not support the local businesses in generating a positive environment”

“Many reasonable individuals may be opposed on the grounds that this is too little value for the money — they would not be wrong”

“I’m disappointed to see this scheme get scaled back at every iteration”

People wanted the plans to go further

“I’d like you to be even more ambitious in discouraging private motor vehicles and encouraging active modes of transport”

“The plans do not go near far enough. The number one issue is traffic – and it does nothing to deal with this. I’d urge a rethink”

There was one problem here that’s mentioned time and time again … the Traffic

“I support road traffic calming measures. This is badly needed. Connaught Street is a polluted rat run at times. Vehicles regularly ignore the zebra crossing making crossings unsafe”

“The proposal … does nothing to reduce the Rat Run of vehicles that use Connaught Village to drive at speeds all hours of the day. This is not a neighbourhood due to this road; it is simply a traffic highway”

“Without any meaningful change in traffic volume, this proposal appears set to become another “Mound” debacle”

“It would appear as if the council is flush with money but short on political courage”

“I expect that the Connaught Green project, on its own, will have no impact on the volume of traffic running through our high street. This is the single biggest issue facing our declining, cherished high street”

“Ironically, on February 21st, during a 5-min stop with on the Green sight, I saw one driver angrily honk and yell at a cyclist for slowing them down, and another cyclist actually get hit at the Connaught Street zebra crossing, just as we were discussing the proposal. I’m afraid this kind of anti- social behaviour will only continue in the future”

“I am strongly in support for a Village Green combined with meaningful traffic flow changes (but) I feel that the proposal falls significantly short of the primary objectives to reduce/calm traffic flows and provide a meaningful public amenity that might enhance the Village atmosphere and support local businesses through increased footfall”

Will the propose raised tables be enough to tackle it?

“I hope that the raised table is sufficiently aggressive as to meaningfully reduce the brazen anti- social driving behaviour on Connaught St”

Many lamented the fact that plans were dropped to make Kendal Street one-way

“The junction between Kendal Street and Connaught Street is an extremely dangerous area. Traffic is coming from multiple directions, with many sight lines obscured by the curve of the road or by trees”

“The proposals for Connaught Village as now amended are wholly unacceptable. … The only sensible way of introducing this scheme is by having the previous proposal for a much narrower entry point into the south end of Kendal St, thereby slowing traffic, and with Kendal Street pavements widened”

“I am disappointed that Kendal Street will remain two way and I cannot understand why residents (and businesses) should favour a continuous flow of through traffic (a rat run) over the safety of pedestrians and the relative calm of the village”

“This is a missed opportunity. Why not either (1) make the village one way throughout; and/or (2) remove access from Edgware Road to both Kendal St and Connaught St?”

“I’m concerned that Kendal Street is to remain 2-way, and I believe ‘a bollard’ will simply serve to spoil the aesthetic of the new green”

People wanted more of a village green/piazza

“The point of the scheme was to create a village centre and this does nothing of the sort. It is a complete waste of money. At the very minimum Kendal St should be narrowed”

“The proposal to close Connaught Street and to create a Piazza is the one that has broad support in the community, in particular with the businesses which need pedestrian footfall to sustain business”

“The plans are a missed opportunity to make even more public space along Titchborne Row. For trees and seating and even a playground, as there is already a lot of parking in the area”

“The Village Green design is underwhelming in design and scope”

Some mention St John’s Wood High Street as a good model

“The new one-way system in St Johns Wood High Street has worked to improve the area, both for pedestrians and business, and it is of concern that we could not benefit from such a scheme for Kendal Street”

“The council has shown better ideas for Oxford St, Regent St, Queensway, Marylebone, St John’s Wood high street — it knows what needs to be done to make this high street better. This isn’t it”

“We urge the council to reconsider, and reflect what residents want, setting a legacy in place that they will be celebrated for.”