Golborne Road improvements put on hold
Improvements to the streetscape in Golborne Road have been put on hold following opposition from some local traders and residents (members of a new Golborne association) at a consultation meeting held on 23 October 2014.The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea had identified money to be spent on improvements to Golborne Road. The Golborne Forum worked with the Council on this project and supported the proposed improvements, of which the key features are:
- better drainage to stop gutters overflowing when it rains
- raising the area for market stalls to pavement level and making it wider
- widening the pavement (and narrowing the road) to make more room for pedestrians and for tables and chairs outside restaurants and cafés
- moving six residents’ parking bays at the northern end of Golborne Road to pay and display bays in nearby streets and replacing them with four pay and display bays (an overall loss of two pay and display bays)
- a new gateway, banners and raised table at the Portobello Road junction to highlight the entrance to the market and a raised table at the Wornington Road junction
- new street lighting
- repaving
- more trees in the street
The Council has now set up a new working group to form a vision for Golborne Road, on which both the new Golborne Association and the Golborne Forum are represented, as well as other interested residents and businesses.
Roger Roberts, Chair of the Golborne Forum said, "We are keen that everyone has a chance to contribute their ideas but we hope that the practical improvements, which came from lots of discussions with local people, can still go ahead. The aim is to boost the market, support local business, retain the unique feel of the area and attract more visitors to shop and eat in Golborne. It is also very important to note the needs and interests of residents in these discussions."