Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering Ltd

Exhibition Road in London completed ahead of schedule

22 December 2011

A before and after shot of Exhibition Road
Balfour Beatty Regional Civil Engineering has completed Exhibition Road in London. This £25 million innovative scheme, carried out on behalf of The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, City of Westminster and Transport for London, has transformed the 800 metre road from South Kensington to Hyde Park into 20,000m² of ‘shared space'.

High quality public realm within a minimal street design has created a single surface which improves the balance between pedestrians and traffic.

The occasion was marked by the customer with a small ceremony to thank everyone who made it possible and the local people who supported the project. A time capsule was also buried under the granite surface of the road. The capsule contains details of the project and information on the institutions in the area as well as everyday items including tea bags, a mobile phone, a daily newspaper, coins and a high visibility vest.

Nicholas Paget-Brown, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Transportation, Environment and Leisure of The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea said:
"I want to thank our contractors Balfour Beatty for their professionalism and the craftsmanship. The hard work of the entire workforce was an inspiration. They were great ambassadors for the project and for their profession."

Councillor Daniel Moylan, Deputy Chairman of Transport for London, said:
"The reimagining of the space has transformed Exhibition Road, improving the quality of life for people living and working in, and for those visiting, the borough. In addition, the uplift in local retail has helped nearby business and dramatically improved the pedestrian experience."

Home to world-class cultural and academic institutions and major national museums, the renewal of Exhibition Road will enhance the accessibility and historic asset of the area.

The introduction of a ‘shared space' streetscape where pedestrians and vehicular traffic share a single surface is at the leading edge of urban transport design.

Every year 11 million people visit the Exhibition Road area and the changes we've implemented will have a lasting effect on the safety and enjoyment of this magnificent street for visitors and residents alike.

A formal opening ceremony, led by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, will take place at the beginning of February 2012.

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