A major redesign of Orpington High Street has been unveiled by Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, as part of his Great Outdoors program to transform public spaces across the capital.
Orpington High Street is one of more than 50 public spaces to benefit from funding through the Mayor’s £220 million Great Outdoors initiative, set up to help improve streets, parks and squares of all shapes and sizes around London. The Mayor has visited, to see first hand, the high street’s metamorphosis from a tired, traffic-filled town center to an attractive, safer, greener space.
The Mayor was joined by his brother and newly elected Orpington MP Jo Johnson, and Bromley Mayor, Councilor George Taylor, to see how the high street has been transformed with colored paving, extensive de-cluttering and wider footpaths to make the town center more pedestrian friendly. The Mayor planted a commemorative tree before going on to meet local business representatives and residents to discuss the renovations.
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said:
“This is a great example of where good design can reinvent and revitalize a street which previously pitted pedestrian against driver. Now it encourages both to respect each other in a new, attractive and safe environment.
“The high street now feels like a really nice place to spend some time as well as shop and I am confident that improvements like these will increase business for local traders as people are attracted to this impressive and transformed town center – this is just the sort of project my Great Outdoors program was established to support.”
Councilor Stephen Carr, leader of Bromley Council, said: “These major changes to the High Street underline our commitment to improve town centers and ensuring the outdoor space is best used is part of this approach.
“The Mayor of London’s approach on this is welcome. We are Building a Better Bromley and playing our part to ensure that Bromley remains an enticing place for business and investment.
“We have a long term vision and we are determined to ensure that further improvements will make Orpington even more competitive, benefiting local residents and businesses.”
The £2.2million project was funded by £1.2 million from Transport for London and £1 million from Bromley Council’s Capital Programme.
Source: London.gov
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