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Trees and the Public Realm - Westminster City Council

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<strong>Trees</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Public</strong> <strong>Realm</strong> (Draft) Appendix B - 13<br />

7 Opportunity Routes<br />

Urban character <strong>and</strong> trees<br />

The function of a number of main roads in <strong>Westminster</strong> is <strong>the</strong> accommodation of vehicular traffic whose<br />

destination is outside <strong>the</strong> city. Our planting regime needs to recognise that this traffic is consistent, <strong>and</strong> at<br />

peak times can be congested.<br />

Several of <strong>the</strong>se routes are Transport for London Road Network (TLRN) routes that are administered <strong>and</strong><br />

maintained by TfL as strategic routes, connecting major centres <strong>and</strong> accommodating numerous bus routes.<br />

Whilst <strong>the</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Council</strong> remains responsible for <strong>the</strong> planting <strong>and</strong> maintenance along <strong>the</strong>se routes, The <strong>Council</strong><br />

will work in partnership with TfL on TLRN routes to ensure <strong>the</strong> form <strong>and</strong> function of <strong>the</strong> streets are compatible.<br />

O<strong>the</strong>rs are designated as ‘Green Chains’ in <strong>the</strong> London Plan, which are defined as “areas of linked but<br />

separate open spaces <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> footpaths between <strong>the</strong>m. They are accessible to <strong>the</strong> public <strong>and</strong> provide waymarked<br />

paths <strong>and</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r pedestrian <strong>and</strong> cycle routes.” This definition excludes routes that are mainly on<br />

streets, <strong>and</strong> in <strong>Westminster</strong> are:<br />

• The linked route from <strong>the</strong> Thames, through Victoria Tower Gardens, Parliament Square, St James’s Park,<br />

Green Park, Hyde Park <strong>and</strong> Kensington Gardens – (Hyde Park Corner forms a crucial link between Green Park<br />

<strong>and</strong> Hyde Park, <strong>and</strong> enhancements would improve access between <strong>the</strong> sites)<br />

• A linked route with <strong>the</strong> London Borough of Camden, running from Primrose Hill along Ormonde Terrace<br />

across Primrose Hill Bridge <strong>and</strong> into Regent’s Park/Gr<strong>and</strong> Union Canal.<br />

<strong>Trees</strong> can be perceived as a welcome, calm counterpoint to <strong>the</strong> bustle of <strong>the</strong> traffic. They can also, particularly<br />

if planted as avenue, increase drivers’ perception of speed <strong>and</strong> encourage a reduction. Planted in <strong>the</strong> street<br />

furniture zone adjacent to <strong>the</strong> kerb, trees can also act to some extent as a barrier to <strong>the</strong> traffic, making <strong>the</strong><br />

pedestrian environment more pleasant.<br />

Photos<br />

Park Lane (sourced from Google Street View)<br />

Marylebone Road (sourced from Google Street View)

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