Trees and the Public Realm - Westminster City Council
Trees and the Public Realm - Westminster City Council
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)