SOLUTIONS
A number of problems related to pedestrianising Formosa Street have been perceived by Westminster City Council and some local residents and businesses. These can be solved by some simple changes to the current arrangements in the following areas:
-
Parking
-
Deliveries
-
Noise
-
Traffic
-
Footfall
​​
Possible solutions are outlined below and could be implemented progressively.
Parking
The problem
In response to the 2020 petition, Westminster City Council argued that pedestrianisation would result in a loss of existing on-street parking spaces which they said were well used and have a high turnover because of their proximity to the local shops, restaurants and businesses.
​
The facts
There are 7 visitor pay-by-phone places in the short section of Formosa Street that could be pedestrianised. A recent survey has shown that, over the course of the day, the occupancy of these spaces is no more than 50%, and that many of the parked vehicles are undertaking deliveries rather than belonging to patrons of the businesses on the street. Nearby residents' parking spaces in Castellain Road and Warrington Crescent are not fully utilised since vehicle ownership has declined in recent years.
​
Solution
The 7 visitors' parking spaces could be moved to nearby Castellain Road and/or Warrington Crescent (highlighted in the map opposite) without adversely affecting residents' ability to park their vehicles. Walking distances to the shops, restaurants and businesses would be increased by around 20 metres.
​
​
Deliveries
The problem
When surveyed, a small number of businesses expressed concern that the frequent deliveries to their businesses would be made more difficult by pedestrianising this section of Formosa Street.
​
The facts
The stretch of Formosa Street that could be pedestrianised is only about 40m long. Therefore no business is more than 20m from either end of the street. When surveyed, most of the businesses on this section of the street (including the Prince Alfred pub) saw no delivery problems in pedestrianisation.
​
Solution
A delivery bay could be created at each end of the street as highlighted in the map opposite, where delivery vehicles could park and if necessary use barrows/trucks to move heavy goods to the relevant businesses, as indeed many do at present.
​
​
Noise
The problem
There is a perception that pedestrianising Formosa Street would increase the level of noise in the street, to the detriment of those who live in flats above the businesses in the street.
​
The facts
Where similar streets have been pedestrianised in the past (for example Clarendon Cross in Holland Park - see Case Study) there has been little or no disruption to local residents. Pedestrianisation may attract more people to the street, resulting in a potential small increase in noise at some times.
​
Solution
The use of outdoor tables outside restaurants is already subject to a curfew and this would continue to apply. The possible slight increase in noise impact on a small number of local residents needs to be weighed against the significant benefits to the community as a whole that pedestrianisation would bring.
​
​
Traffic
The problem
In its response to the 2011 petition, Westminster City Council sated that pedestrianisation could divert traffic to other local residential roads and could result in reduced access for local residents, businesses and visitors as well as longer journey distances and times, including increased response times for emergency vehicles.
​
The facts
A recent survey has shown that, depending on time of day, no more than 30 vehicles per hour use the short stretch of street that we propose is pedestrianised. The section of the street is 50m long and any traffic diverted via Warrington Gardens would have to travel only 50m further., taking approximately 6 seconds. The arguments presented by the council in 2011 are therefore invalid.
​
Solution
The increase in travel time for the very small number of vehicles that use this section of Formosa Street is trivial and can easily be tolerated.
​
​
Footfall
The problem
A small number of businesses in Formosa Street expressed concerns that pedestrianisation could reduce the level of passing trade, and therefore footfall, to their businesses.
​
The facts
UK-wide studies (see here for an example) have shown that pedestrianised streets have contributed to increases in footfall for local businesses of up to 40%. A survey of the 13 businesses on this stretch of Formosa Street has shown that 85% are in favour of pedestrianisation.
​
Solution
We intend to publicise the advantages of pedestrianisation to ensure that the businesses on Formosa Street appreciate that pedestrianisation is much more likely to increase footfall than reduce it.
​
​
