Articles

CREATING A BALANCE IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE 
By Michael Hardware

The remodelling and partial pedestrianisation of Trafalgar Square in London is due for completion early in July. It has been one of the most adventurous projects ever undertaken in the city, and it has not been without controversy.

The project was originally mooted by the Government Office for London in 1996, with an area encompassing Trafalgar Square south to Parliament Square under consideration. Although a masterplan was published in 1998 identifying Trafalgar Square as the proposed phase one, it was not until the Mayor of London took over responsibility in May 2000 that the project got the go ahead.

Transport for London issued public tenders for various elements in September 2001 resulting in a team led by Atkins and including Foster and partners and lighting designers Speirs and Major winning the design commission. TPS Schal won the overall project management brief, with Fitzpatrick the contract for implementing the works.

Trafalgar Square has always been a hub for traffic activity in London - it is a focus for traffic coming from over six directions including The Mall, Haymarket from Piccadilly Circus, Strand from Aldgate, Charing Cross Road, Whitehall from Parliament Square and Northumberland Avenue from Embankment. The square is also a major focus for tourists, and also pigeons.

Peter Heath, who is the design team coordinator for Atkins, explained that the project aimed to transform what is one of London's key heritage sites: "Trafalgar Square is a major tourist attraction, and a focus for the national identity, both when celebrating and when protesting.

"Both the square and the surrounding areas needed to be made more user-friendly. A balance had to be created between the needs of pedestrians and the requirements of traffic.

"Careful research and analysis were a vital part of this project," continued Peter . "We studied existing traffic and pedestrian flows and then projected the impacts of the scheme. We did desk research, trial hole investigations and ensured archaeological conditions were met. We also evaluated environmental impact of the scheme in terms of pollutions and noise."

The project commenced in November 2001, with work starting on site in September 2002. It involved the pedestianisation of the road to the north of the square in front of The National Gallery, the construction of new steps down from the new North Terrace to the square, construction of a new café, toilets and warden accommodation, together with two lifts for disabled access. The road network around the square has been significantly changed, with an enlargement of the Charles 1 island, and better access for pedestrians around the square.

Peter continued: "We have put in crossings where people want to cross. In addition, we have enhanced the actual square, removing clutter, introducing better and more focused lighting schemes, new trees and fantastic new street furniture."

The implementation of the works was always going to be challenge, with high levels of traffic, tourists, and the interruption of everything for the odd protest or state occasion. Graham Nash, project manager for TPS Schal explained: "The nature and location of the site meant that everything we did involved inconvenience to someone, whether that be traffic congestion, or tourists not being able to see the square properly.

"With the site being spread over a large area and not enclosed, and with high levels of motor and pedestrian traffic, we went to great lengths to ensure safety of both our workforce and the public."

There is a huge amount of history connected with the square, and all this had to be taken into consideration through the project. It also highlighted history that many did not know.

The Charles 1 statue was at the centre of the traffic island to the south of Nelson's Column. It was inaccessible to the public, although some did take their life in their hands to get across to it. The statue of Charles 1, which has been there since the seventeenth century and has its own significant history, marks the spot where the original Charing Cross was located from the thirteenth century, a replica of which is now displayed outside Charing Cross Station less than half a mile away. The original Charing Cross was used to measure all distances to and from London - the Charles 1 statue is the true centre of London.

The café, toilets and street furniture have all been designed by Foster and Partners, some would say perhaps one of his most restrained designs! All have been undertaken to be sympathetic to the existing architecture, and in keeping with the history of the square - for the first time, people will be able to sit in the centre of the square and have a coffee and enjoy the sights.

Award winning lighting designers, Speirs and Major, have provided imaginative schemes for lighting various areas in Trafalgar Square, including a number of statues around the periphery. George III, Edith Cavell and Henry Irving are now all illuminated at night, and the focus of landscaping in their particular area, in all their glory.

Time will tell whether the remodelling of Trafalgar Square is a success. At present, the public certainly endorse the project, although motorists are a little more sceptical about the knock-on traffic effects although, even here, the introduction of congestion charging has helped lessen the impact.

What is about to be formerly opened, is a new and reinvigorated Trafalgar Square for everyone to enjoy. It is a world landmark and now reflects that position.

Published in Sustain Magazine Vol 4 Issue 4 2003www.sustainmagazine.com, (summer 2003).