£3.7m revamp of west London neighbourhood gets green light

A £3.7 million scheme to make Warwick Avenue safer and more welcoming has been given the green light.

The plans were approved at a Westminster City Council meeting on Monday, following a call-in for scrutiny.

The Warwick Avenue Public Realm Scheme will tackle long-standing challenges with safety, accessibility and environmental quality at the site.

Improvements will be focused in the immediate area around the Tube station and key pedestrian routes, following feedback from residents.

The project will introduce upgraded recycling facilities at Warwick Avenue and provide greening to the area.

There will also be improved cycling routes at Warwick Avenue and Warrington Crescent.

At the Housing and Regeneration Police and Scrutiny meeting, councillors raised concerns over the amount of money that will be spent on the scheme.

Conservative ward councillor for Little Venice, Melvyn Caplan, pointed out that the £3.7 million budget was significantly higher than the £1 million figure first proposed for the scheme four years ago.

“I think it’s a premature scheme, it’s too expensive and I don’t think it should be approved,” he said at the meeting.

Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development Councillor Geoff Barraclough questioned whether the issue had been called in because of the upcoming local elections.

“The benefits of the scheme are clear – a safer, less cluttered and greener area for all to enjoy,” he said.

Cllr Barraclough approved the revised and final scope of the Warwick Avenue project and proposed amendments on March 20.

Further concerns were raised about certain elements of the scheme, including the effect narrowing a junction would have on cyclists and concerns over a potential increase in antisocial behaviour.

Council officers said they would consider these issues as they move ahead with the project.

Phases three to six of the scheme will cost £2,981,280.

Around £710,000 has already been spent on completing stages zero to two of the project.

Councillors voted to let the decision to approve the scheme stand at the scrutiny committee last night.