Introduction
In March 2017 a multi-disciplinary team led by Momentum Transport Consultancy was commissioned by the Hatton Garden Business Improvement District (BID) to undertake a review of the existing public realm in Hatton Garden. The business makeup of the area has transitioned from a domination of jewellery retailers and workshops to a vibrant mix of mixed-retail (including jewellers), restaurants and cafes, and media and creative businesses.
Despite this thriving and vibrant business environment, in many places the quality of the public realm is poor, with numerous issues making the area hard for workers, visitors and residents to navigate and enjoy. These issues included inadequate signage and wayfinding, street clutter, poor waste management, and undefined spaces.
Following an initial review of the existing public realm, Momentum carried out a series of studies looking at pedestrian and vehicle movement, car parking and delivery and servicing activity on Hatton Garden, and weekly trading stall patterns on Leather Lane. Interview surveys with traders on Leather Lane were also carried out to obtain the views on public realm from an important group of stakeholders.
The results from these studies were used to inform a series of quick-win (temporary seating and greening), shorter term (temporary traffic management scheme on Hatton Garden and waste storage consolidation/relocation) and longer-term (permanent planting and area-wide branded wayfinding scheme) solutions to be delivered as part of a phased approach for public realm improvements.
Momentum covered a range of topics, including street lighting, public art, air quality, and pedestrian and vehicle interactions, wayfinding, street clutter, poor waste management, and undefined spaces; responding to existing user requirements and future, major changes – such as the arrival of Crossrail at Farringdon, the relocation of the Museum of London and the City of London’s planned ‘Culture Mile’ between Farringdon and Moorgate.
