Future West End

 
 

Covent Garden

The Royal Opera HouseCovent Garden as we know it began in 1631 as London’s first experiment in formal town planning. Today, James Street and the Covent Garden Piazza are one of the busiest places in London with a long history of trading and street performance.

The challenge:

Covent Garden’s popularity and success today require careful management. This ensures the area will continue to thrive while retaining its unique character that makes it one of London’s most popular places.

Where are we now?

The council approved the Covent Garden Action Plan in 2004. This was drawn up in consultation with local residents, businesses and landowners. It aims to address many of the pressures facing Covent Garden and the demands of residents, businesses and tourists.

Planned activity includes:

  • Physical street improvements around the piazza and surrounding streets to encourage more visitors to explore the area
  • Extending public space CCTV coverage
  • Targeting hotspot areas to deal with rough sleeping, begging and anti-social behaviour
  • Lobbying for new powers to licence and control the operation of pedicabs

Looking ahead:

In 2006, the council and its partners consulted on plans to make physical improvements to Long Acre. These are designed to encourage more visitors to explore this area and use it as a means of access to Covent Garden.

The first phase of work is looking at improvements to Long Acre between St Martin’s Lane and Neal Street. This will include widening and replacing pavements using high quality materials, improving the pedestrian crossing facilities and better street lighting. We plan to finalise the design plans early in 2007 ready for work to start on-site in March.