Having recently been officially opened by Borris Johnson on the 1st February 2012, I thought it time to pass a critical eye across this much publicised shared space scheme known as Exhibition Road.
The scheme runs for the entire length of Exhibition Road, London. The southern end starts at a 50m walk from South Kensington tube station and continues north to Hyde Park/ Kensington Gardens. Along its length a significant number of London’s museums and institutions are located, including the Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert, the Science Museum, the Imperial College and the Royal Geographic Society.
The scheme has created a single level surface from building face to building face along the entire length of this road. Within this single surface the needs of the pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist, car, taxi, delivery vehicle, and bus have been considered and hopefully accommodated. The needs of the various types of more vulnerable pedestrian have been considered in more detail. These include children, mobility impaired pedestrians and visually impaired pedestrians.
Share space schemes rely on traffic speeds being lowered to a slower, safer speed (usually 20mph) and eye contact between pedestrians and drivers of vehicles. As the second of these two points is not possible for the visually impaired user group, careful attention needs to be given to the detailing of a shared space scheme to ensure this user group remains safe in this type of scheme.
Exhibition Road South
The shared space to the south of Exhibition Road deals with a smaller volume of traffic than that to the north of the Cromwell Road. Vehicular traffic within this zone is restricted to the east side of the road.
Exhibition Road South Cafes
This part of the site, to the south of Thurloe Street, is lined cafes and alfresco eating is accommodated.
Exhibition Road South Light Well/ Seat
The original light wells, which provide light to the underpass below, have been accommodated within this space. The have been mounted on plinths which provide informal seating.
Slow speeds and clear sight lines help pedestrian and vehicle share the same space.
Exhibition Road Between Cromwell Road & Thurloe Place
This section of the Exhibition Road, between the Cromwell Road and Thurloe Street, is located on a red route and as a consequence require red route road markings.
Exhibition Road Crossing
Exhibition Road Just North Cromwell Road
This section of Exhibition Road, just north of Exhibition Road, accommodates the majority of the museums. The single paved surface extends to the full width of this space, with corduroy paving demarking the locations of the former curb line. The ‘carriageway’ is located on the east side of this space, with light columns running down the center and parking on the west side of this space.
Exhibition Road Base to Light Column
Exhibition Road Bus Stop Detail
Bus stops are accommodated within this space, close to the museum entrances, and a kerbs with a small upstand are implemented in these locations.
Exhibition Road Museum Lane Junction
Shared Space Outside the Science and Victoria & Albert Museums.
Exhibition Road Paving Banding
The criss cross paving pattern reflects the movement of people from one side of the street to the other.
Exhibition Road Parking Bays
The studs which demark the parking bays are rarely adhered to, usually leaving larger gaps between vehicles. I see this as a positive thing as creates a more permeable route for pedestrians. I do understand the pressure from residents for parking along this street but this is in conflict to the creation of a safe shared space. Clear site lines between pedestrian and driver is essential. Having parked cars creates spaces next to the ‘carriageway’ where pedestrians (particularly children) can not be seen or see clearly. While in site I saw a child appear from between parked cars causing a taxi to skid. I do think vehicles need to adjust to driving at slower speeds, but I do also think the current arrangement of blocks of parked cars present a hazard to pedestrians.
Exhibition Road Corduroy Paving
As previously mentioned corduroy paving is located in the location of the previous curb alignment. This paving has been installed to indicate the edge of the ‘carriageway’, particularly for partially sighted or blind pedestrians. Also, as previously mentioned the ‘carriageway’ in this part of Exhibition road is located on the east side of the road. I do not understand why the corduroy paving is located here (as indicated in the above image) in what is essentially the pedestrian zone.
Exhibition Road Central Zone
It makes more sense to me to have thhe corduroy paving in this location (the above image), at the edge of the ‘carriageway’.
Exhibition Road Outside Imperial College
At the weekend the area outside of the Imperial College was free of parking. This space, with no parked cars, provides a much safer environment for the pedestrian.
Exhibition Road Light Column
The lighting columns that run from Cromwell Road to Hyde park are bespoke and form a lit spine for this space at night.
Exhibition Road Roundabout
The roundabout towards the north end of Exhibition Road is located at the boundary between Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea boroughs. To the north, Westminster, to the south, Kensington & Chelsea. Westminster Local Authority insisted that the full width of the previous carriageway be retained as ‘carriageway’. Therefore the layout to the north of this roundabout changes from that of the south.
Exhibition Road Princes Gardens
Pedestrian crossing points across side roads is dealt with by the use of stainless steel studs in the paving.
Exhibition Road North
In the north section of Exhibition Road (Westminster) vehicular traffic flows in opposite directions on both sides of the central zone.
Exhibition Road Tree Surround Detail
This is a new kind of space for residents of the United Kingdom and it will take time for people to get used to using them in a safe manor. Cars need to move at safer speeds and pedestrians need to be more aware of their surrounding environment. Children are particularly vulnerable, as are they on all busy roads. I think it is critical, if shared spaces and all their benefits, are to succeed in this country, drivers of vehicles need to give way to pedestrians in these zones. This will require a mental shift in the mind of the driver. I believe there should be a campaign to educate people (particularly drivers) on how to use these spaces. I also believe ‘driving’ in shared spaces should be incorporated into the Highway Code.
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