ROYAL ALBERT HALL Welcome to the public exhibition of our ideas for the future of the area around the Royal Albert Hall.
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
ROYAL ALBERT HALL Welcome to the public exhibition of our ideas for the future of the area around the Royal Albert Hall. The area around the Hall is currently not fit for pedestrian visitors at event times, does not provide step- free access and provides a poor setting for a Grade I listed building. There are also issues with traffic, idling taxis and coaches which we recognise are problems for both the Hall and our neighbours. Our 20-year vision seeks to ensure that the Hall thrives for the next generation of artists and audiences. We are keen to understand the views of our neighbours and the local community on our proposal and involve as many people as possible in the public consultation before developing more detailed proposals. We would therefore be grateful if you could complete a feedback form once you have reviewed the exhibition and return this via the ballot box or a FREEPOST envelope.
02. The Team
DSDHA - Exterior Improvements AHMM - Internal Improvements
DSDHA is an architecture, urban design and research Allford Hall Monaghan Morris Architects is a Stirling
studio whose internationally acclaimed work is prize winning, leading international architectural
engaged in a constant search for new forms of beauty, practice, which makes buildings that are
driven by the ethos that “the city is our client”. satisfying and enjoyable to use, beautiful to look at
and easy to understand.
By adopting a people-centred approach, we deploy
our spatial intelligence across a broad range of scales AHMM designs very different buildings for very
– from infrastructure to intimacy – to produce spatial different people to use in very different ways. We
strategies and bespoke designs that tap into each believe in making places as well as buildings, that work
project’s latent potential to foster positive urban overtime and have lasting qualities.
change and conserve the planet’s resources.
Allford Hall Monaghan Morris Architects are leading the
DSDHA is working with the Royal Albert Hall on the interior restoration for the 20-year vision and will be
public realm and placemaking aspects of the 20-year focussed on improving the interior fabric and overall
vision, ensuring that the area around the Hall provides artist and visitor experience.
a safe, accessible and dignified environment for
visitors, those who work and study in the area and
local residents.
South Molton Street Building - DSDHA 9 Marylebone Way - DSDHA
South Molton Street Public Realm - DSDHA 33 - 35 Piccadilly - DSDHA
Royal Albert Hall | Public Exhibition June 2019
03. Royal Albert Hall
ALBERTOPOLIS
In 1851 six million people, equivalent to a third of the As the building approaches its 150th anniversary
entire population of Britain at the time, visited the in 2021, the Hall is committed to re-establishing its
Great Exhibition. The profits it generated were historic connection to Kensington Gardens and the
used to create Albertopolis, the South Kensington Albert Memorial.
estate, with its world-leading artistic, scientific and
cultural institutions.
1868 Map of London, compiled by Edward Weller
Royal College of Art
English National Ballet
Kensington Palace
Royal College of Organists (former)
1851 Royal Commission
Imperial College
Queen’s Tower
Royal Albert Hall
Royal College of Music
Albert Memorial
Albert Court
Blk 4
Albert Hall Mansions
Blk 1-3 Serpentine Gallery
Imperial College
Blk 5
Royal Geographical Society
Exhibition Road
Albertopolis Aerial Overview Archive photo, late 19th century
Royal Albert Hall | Public Exhibition June 2019
04. Existing Issues notes
Key:
Carriageway
Raised Table
KEY:
Managed Access
Footway/ Public Realm
7 Demolition
Existing bollards
5
3 2 1 Current temporary HVM measures Entrance
BS Bus Stop
RA Royal Albert Hall Parking
RP Resident Permit Holders
Current construction hoarding line
PP Paid Parking
DP Disabled Parking
MP Motorbike Parking
Existing Parking Provision on
Kensinton Gore (east/ west) and Jay
Mews:
4 4 8 no RAH Parking
79 no Resident Permit Holders
29 no Paid Parking
3 no Disabled Parking
9 no Motorbike Parking
Parking Provisions included in the
above calculations limited to
Kensington Gore West, Kensinton
Gore East and Jay Mews to the
South of the RAH.
8 8
Albert Hall
Mansions
4
Hoarding and security blocks Temporary security blocks
INFORMATION
rev date check comments
Imperial College Albert Court
Beit Building
357 Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, SE11 5QY
T 020 7703 3555
F 020 7703 3890
E info@dsdha.co.uk
W www.dsdha.co.uk
Existing bollards project Triple kerb - Kensington Gore
Royal
Royal Albert
Albert Hall
Hall Public Realm
Public Realm
6 drawing title
CLEAN HVM Existing
PRINCE CONSORT ROAD
drawn size date scale
JW A1 10 04 19 1:500
drawing number revision
SUMMARY
272_SK073
0 10 20 50m REPORT DISCREPANCIES USE LATEST REVISION
DO NOT SCALE FROM THIS DRAWING CHECK DIMENSIONS ON SITE
COPYRIGHT © DSDHA
The Royal Albert Hall has a duty of care and responsibility for
the safety of both its visitors and neighbours. Independent risk
assessments have concluded that there is an ‘Unacceptable
risk level’ for the area around the Hall, which is only partially
improved with the current temporary Hostile Vehicle Mitigation
(HVM) barriers and is reduced by the temporary hoardings at
the South West and North East quadrants of the building.
However, the HVM detracts from the setting of a Grade I listed
building, acts as informal congregation points for visitors, and
pushes visitors and taxis further into the highway towards
residential properties.
A further assessment of the public realm has also emphasised
the unacceptable pedestrian overcrowding around the Hall at
Temporary security gates
peak periods.
Royal Albert Hall | Public Exhibition June 2019
05. Existing Issues
PEDESTRIAN COMFORT AND SAFETY
The studies have confirmed that the area around the 5. The triple kerb to Kensington Gardens
Hall is not safe or comfortable for pedestrians. The key 6. The absence of step-free access via the
factors are: South Steps
1. The single signalised crossing on Kensington Gore TRAFFIC
cannot accommodate pedestrian demands
2. A narrow footway at the North porch The current road layout is inefficient and impacts on
3. Poster boards cause physical and visual obstruction pedestrian safety and the visitor experience.
4. Temporary Hazardous Vehicle Mitigation measures
are unsightly and inadequate 7. Existing bus lane which runs for the short distance
of Kensington Gore (eastbound only) adds to the
ACCESSIBILITY excessive width of the road
8. Coach drop-offs and idling taxis that impact on air
The area is not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, quality, safety for pedestrians and noise
failing to provide a welcoming or dignified experience
for visitors to the Hall and Kensington Gardens. The
key factors are:
A+
KENSIN A
GTON G
O RE
A B-
B+ B C- C+ A
EST RE W
C+
TON GO
C+
A-
KENSING
C- C-
JAY MEWS
QUEENS ROAD
A+
Vehicular and pedestrian waiting at East Porch Daytime coach parking
A
KE
C+
NS
IN B
GT
ON
GO
RE
E AS
A T
A B+ C-
A
EXHIBITION ROAD
BREMNER ROAD
A+
B-
A
PRINCE CONSORT ROAD
Pedestrian Comfort Levels in the study area (22:15-22:30)
Step on to carriageway
KEY:
A+ (comfortable) B (acceptable)
A (comfortable) B- (at risk)
A- (comfortable) C+ (unacceptable)
B+ (comfortable) C- (unacceptable)
Section of footway where
pedestrian counts have been
Taxis idling and causing danger to pedestrians Unexpected kerbs
undertaken
Royal Albert Hall | Public Exhibition June 2019
06. 20-Year Vision
OUR 20-YEAR VISION
The proposals to improve the safety for pedestrians,
visitors and our neighbours around the Hall form part
of the Hall’s 20-year vision that seeks to build upon the
legacy of this iconic institution, creating an experience
both within and around the Grade I listed building that
befits the Royal Albert Hall’s place in the heart of
the nation.
THE 20-YEAR VISION WILL:
• Improve the Hall’s setting which is currently inadequate
in terms of safety and comfort, and inappropriate for a
building of its stature
• Replace the temporary security measures
• Improve the experience for pedestrians by
widening footpaths
• Limit the amount of traffic around the Hall
during events
• Make the building and our neighbouring cultural
institutions more accessible by creating level access
from the Hall across to Kensington Gardens and the
Albert Memorial
Opportunity to link cultural Institutions
View of plans to refurbish internal areas - AHMM
Royal Albert Hall | Public Exhibition June 2019
07. The Proposals
A PILOT SCHEME
In order to develop a longer-term solution for the The two features of the pilot scheme would be:
challenges we face, we would firstly like to understand • New and improved crossings on a raised table to
how any changes to the area around the Hall could be the North
introduced sensitively and what impact any changes • Managed timed closures to vehicles on sections
would have on the Hall and our neighbours. of Kensington Gore East and West
We would therefore like to undertake a pilot scheme
which tests our proposals over a period of up to
18 months.
4 4 KEY:
KENSINGT
ON GORE
Proposed
3 2
temporary security
1 gates
Royal College
of Art Proposed
Albert Hall permanent
Mansions
(1-30) security gates
Proposed
5 5
permanent security
Royal College Albert Hall
bollards
of Organists Mansions
(former) (31-48)
Queen Existing bollards
Alexandra’s Albert Hall
House Mansions
(49-86)
T)
Proposed signage
WES
O
RE
(
6 to identify
G
T
O
N KE
N
S
experimental traffic
IN
order and restricted
G
G
IN
S
access
T
N
O
E
N
K
G
OR
7 Oriel
Imperial College
E (
House
Beit Building Albert Court
EAS
Holy Trinity
T)
Church
s
PRINCE CONSORT ROAD 7
ental
Proposed Plan - Pilot Scheme (NTS)
Proposed Plan - Pilot Scheme (NTS)
Royal Albert Hall | Public Exhibition June 2019
08. The Proposals
KENSINGTON GORE NORTH
Under a pilot scheme, our proposals for Kensington
Gore North include:
1. Extending the footway to the North of the Hall 3. Upgrading the existing crossing and adding a
and introducing a new line of permanent security crossing point on Kensington Gore North to
bollards to improve safety. improve pedestrian movement.
2. Introducing a raised table to provide step-free 4. Opening the second and third gates to provide
crossing to Kensington Gardens. enhanced access into Kensington Gardens.
Existing View
Proposed View of Kensington Gore North
Royal Albert Hall | Public Exhibition June 2019
09. The Proposals
KENSINGTON GORE EAST AND WEST
Under a pilot scheme, our ideas for the future of
Kensington Gore East and West, include:
5. Restricting access to vehicles on Kensington Gore 7. Installing temporary signage at the junctions of
East and West to designated times (implemented Kensington Gore East and West with Prince Consort
through an Experimental Traffic Order) whilst Road, explaining access at the designated times is
ensuring residents can access their homes at all solely for residents and pre-booked deliveries to
times. Our proposal is for access to be restricted the Hall.
between Midday and Midnight, when matinees and
shows are taking place at the Hall.
6. This would be enforced by installing temporary
security gates at designated positions on
Kensington Gore East and West. All residents will
continue to have pedestrian access at all times
and most will have direct vehicle access. Parking
provision will not be reduced.
Existing View Proposed View
Royal Albert Hall | Public Exhibition June 2019
10. Longer Term Opportunities
Our long-term vision for the area around the Hall is to 4. Permanently opening the second and third gates
improve the environment for residents and visitors, to Kensington Gardens.
whilst achieving the necessary level of protection. 5. Introducing new high-quality paving around
the Hall to improve its setting and offer the
We would like to permanently remove steps and opportunity to introduce new greening.
barriers to access for pedestrians, by addressing the 6. New step-free access to the North porch of the
change in levels over a greater distance, including at Hall to improve accessibility.
the entrance to Kensington Gardens. 7. Permanently restricting vehicular access between
designated times on Kensington Gore East
Subject to feedback from a pilot scheme, future and West.
options could include: 8. Installing high quality, designed security gates at
agreed locations on Kensington Gore East and
1. Permanently extending the footway to the North West to enforce the designated timed closures.
of the Hall. 9. A new step-free landscaped route provided
2. A new permanent raised table crossing to provide through the gardens of the South Steps.
step-free access to Kensington Gardens. 10. A further raised table on Prince Consort Road
3. A permanent additional crossing point provided on in front of the Royal College of Music with
Kensington Gore. improved crossing.
4
4
KENSINGT
ON GORE
3
2
1
Royal College 5 6
of Art
Albert Hall
Mansions
(1-30)
7 7
Royal College Albert Hall
of Organists Mansions
(former) (31-48)
Queen
Alexandra’s Albert Hall
House Mansions
(49-86)
8
EST)
(W
RE
O
G KE
N N
O S
T IN
G
IN
G
T
S
O
N
N
E
K
GO
Oriel
RE
Imperial College House
Beit Building Albert Court
(EA
9
ST)
Holy Trinity
Church
ds
10 PRINCE CONSORT ROAD
access restriction
Proposed Plan - Long-term Vision (NTS)
Possible Long-term Vision (NTS) Potential longer term ideas to enhance security and increase the extent of
safe and high quality public realm
Royal Albert Hall | Public Exhibition June 201911. Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT ARE THE IMMEDIATE BENEFITS OF THE WILL I BE ABLE TO ACCESS MY HOME WHEN THE GATES
PILOT SCHEME? ARE CLOSED?
Visitors, pedestrians and residents will be better protected in Yes. Gate closures will not affect entry to residential blocks.
the vicinity of the Hall.
WILL THIS AFFECT PARKING?
Traffic will be significantly calmer throughout the year along Our objective is to maintain the current amount of residential
Kensington Gore East and West as sections of these would be car parking spaces, although some bays may need to be moved
closed off to vehicles when gates are in operation. Noise and air and repositioned in the immediate area outside the
pollution will be reduced, as well as conflicts between vehicles restricted sections.
and pedestrians at busy times.
WILL THIS AFFECT PICK-UP AND DROP-OFFS?
Level access at two wider crossings will enable a safer and Pick-up and drop-offs will be unaffected outside the hours of
more dignified connection between the Hall and the Park, operation of the gates. During gate closures, residents and
making tangible the important central axis from the Memorial visitors can still be picked up and dropped off by taxis and private
towards the Hall and Albertopolis. High quality paving for the vehicles within 25 metres of the three residential
extended northern footway will also enhance the entrances affected.
overall setting.
WILL THIS AFFECT DELIVERIES AND SERVICING?
WHY IS THE HALL PROPOSING PUBLIC REALM Delivery and servicing vehicles will be unaffected outside the
IMPROVEMENTS NOW? hours of operation of the gates. During gate closures, delivery
The safety and accessibility of visitors and residents is of and servicing vehicles will still be able to load and unload within
paramount importance to us and we are working hard to target 25 metres of the three residential entrances affected.
the problematic crossing on Kensington Gore and northern
footway of the Hall as part of the Pilot Scheme for our 150th WHAT WOULD THIS MEAN FOR COACHES?
anniversary in 2021. The Hall is exploring options to address issues of coach activity
through advanced management of planned coach parking. This
As temporary building works around the Hall are completing, includes developing a coach strategy for the limited number of
there will be a need to provide additional security measures and special events when coach parking demand is very high.
we would like to ensure that these are carefully integrated into
the area. WILL TAXIS CONTINUE TO IDLE AROUND THE HALL AND
HOMES IN THE AREA?
We would also like to trial how vehicular access might be The managed closure of Kensington Gore East will prevent taxis
managed to evaluate and refine our future designs based on from idling immediately adjacent to the Hall during the hours
your feedback and on-the-ground evidence. of restricted access. We are currently looking at ways to better
control taxis on parts of Kensington Gore East outside of the
WHAT IS AN ‘EXPERIMENTAL TRAFFIC ORDER’? gated area.
An Experimental Traffic Order (ETO) is a statutory mechanism
that allows trials of temporary highway changes for a period We are also looking at options to increase the number of taxi
of 6-18 months. Public consultation is incorporated into the bays outside the Hall on Kensington Gore and potentially on
trial period; feedback and objections will be considered for Prince Consort Road to the South.
the evaluation of and refinement of the traffic order and its
permanent enforcement. HOW WOULD THE GATES BE OPERATED?
They will be managed by the Hall for timed, prebooked event-
WHAT IMPACT WOULD IT HAVE ON THE TRAFFIC IN THE related vehicles. Emergency services will have full access.
NEIGHBOURING AREA?
The traffic in the immediate area in the vicinity of the Hall will be WHO OWNS THE LAND SURROUNDING THE ROYAL
significantly calmed. Our initial traffic modelling suggests that ALBERT HALL?
redirected traffic flows will have negligible impact on the traffic The land surrounding the Hall forms part the public highways
capacity of roads in the wider area. Further analysis will be (except for area within the two northern quadrants). The
commissioned in order to inform detailed design development. public realm improvements are being led by the Hall but
will be developed and delivered in close collaboration with
WHEN ARE YOU LOOKING TO CLOSE KENSINGTON GORE Westminster City Council.
EAST AND WEST?
We are proposing to close the gates from 12pm-12am, but
would like to hear your views.NEXT STEPS
Thank you for attending our public exhibition.
Your feedback is essential to us as we consult on our proposals and we welcome your comments.
Please fill out a feedback form, and discuss any questions with our project team.
We are committed to an open dialogue regarding our scheme. To get in touch with the team, please
contact us on:
RoyalAlbertHall@kandaconsulting.co.uk
020 3900 3676
TIMELINE:
SEPTEMBER 2019 AUTUMN 2019
Consultation by the Royal Apply to Westminster City Council
Albert Hall on the final plans for an Experimental Traffic Order
for the pilot scheme to implement the proposals
SPRING 2020
Subject to approval, construction
of new crossing to commence.
AUTUMN 2020 SPRING 2022
Experimental Traffic Order Experimental Traffic Order
commences – with concludes
regular review session
Royal Albert Hall | Public Exhibition June 2019You can also read
