Blake Lapthorn appointed as legal advisors for Exhibition Road project

Blake Lapthorn is pleased to announce that it has been instructed to provide legal services to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea council (RBKC) for the proposed scheme to 'pedestrianise' Exhibition Road in Central London.

The firm's Public Sector and Construction and Development groups have been appointed to advise RBKC in relation to some of the contractual issues associated with the project, which will see the scheme transform Exhibition Road into a tourist attraction.  Work is due to begin this summer and is due for completion in 2012. 

The road, which is home to some of London's finest museums, will be a vibrant new streetscape from South Kensington Tube to Kensington Gore.

Under the new scheme, the pavements will be removed so that traffic and pedestrians share a single granite surface stretching the width of the street.  The dual carriageway will also be removed, along with the central raised island and parking bays.  Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction on the eastern side of the road, leaving room for a wide pedestrian boulevard on the other side.

Traffic flow will be reduced by 'pedestrian-focused' traffic lights, new trees will be planted along the street and street lights will be installed.  The scheme is designed to create the equivalent of New York's 'Museum Mile', with venues encouraged to use the boulevard for performances and events.

Comments Richard Wade, partner at Blake Lapthorn: "We are delighted to have the opportunity to work on such a high profile and exciting project.  We look forward to working with the authority and seeing the transformation of Exhibition Road come to fruition."

For further information please contact Richard Wade, head of Blake Lapthorn's Construction and Development group on 01865 254244 or email richard.wade@bllaw.co.uk