Strengthening Portobello Road Phase 1 Consultation

We know that the interim road safety barriers we needed to introduce this summer have caused issues, and we agree it is not a suitable permanent solution. We had to put something in place as soon as possible following a letter from the police in January this year, to protect the market from vehicles being used as a weapon.

We will be replacing the interim barriers with permanent safety bollards which will be installed at the junctions with Chepstow Villas, Denbigh Terrace, and Westbourne Grove.

Our proposal is based on feedback that it should: 

• Fit the area’s character
• Be flexible (remote and/or on-site operation)
• Be adaptable for access/exit needs
• Preserve market stalls
• Be visible to drivers
• Allow pedestrian flow
• Not be usable as seating

We propose:

• Sliding bollards that take up minimal space, while retaining the maximum number of market stalls. Bollards will be placed in rows along the width of the road. The middle bollards can move outwards when needed, while outer bollards stay fixed in place. 
• The standard bollard is stainless steel, but we will explore ideas for how they could be decorated with the community, such as making them plain black or to celebrate the market and seasonal events. 

Photo of sliding bollards at Trafalgar Square:

Get involved with how they will work

We have not yet decided how the new bollards will operate. If you would like to take part in conversations about this, please sign up to project updates by filling in the online feedback form below or email the project team at growthanddeliveryteam@rbkc.gov.uk

We have looked at the different types of barriers and decided that the option that best fits the brief is a line of bollards with sliding central bollards for vehicle access.

Moveable bollards can either slide to the side or retract into the ground. The foundations for sliding bollards are much less likely to conflict with underground utilities than retractable bollards and are therefore preferable in Portobello Road.

Sliding bollards can be operated manually and automatically, controlled remotely and locally. They therefore provide flexibility for different access arrangements.

They also allow for good pedestrian flow and navigation by wheelchair users and people with visual impairments. They cannot be easily sat on and do not encourage gathering. They do not require extensive impact zones which allows for more market stalls.

The other options considered and deemed unsuitable were:

Planters

Seating

Wedge barriers

Swing gates

All of these interrupt pedestrian flow and may become an obstacle for wheelchairs and the visually impaired. Swing gates also have an impact on market stalls and parking spaces, while planters and seating may attract anti-social behaviour and littering.

You told us that you want safer junctions. We propose junction improvements to help the flow of visitors and meet accessibility needs. 

Denbigh Terrace junction

We heard that there were concerns about loss of parking spaces and crowding on this residential street. We have amended the scheme to:

• Reduce the number of lost parking spaces and minimise the intervention area
• Reduce risk of crowding, anti-social behaviour and street clutter by removing seating and cycle stands
• Plant new trees for flood resilience and greening, while also providing visual screening for residential properties (subject to underground utilities)

Chepstow Villas junction

The junction at Chepstow Villas is used as a major crossing point for visitors to Portobello market. To reduce pedestrian risk and create a more pleasant environment, we are proposing to:

• Narrow and raise the road to pavement level to slow traffic and create a safer crossing 
• Stop left turn from Portobello Road onto Chepstow Villas to protect pedestrians
• Improve drainage and plant new trees (subject to underground utilities)

Westbourne Grove junction

We are proposing to:

• Resurface the road to encourage safer driving
• Widen pavements to improve accessibility 
• Improve drainage and plant new trees (subject to underground utilities)

We recognise that reducing the risk of flooding is a high priority. We plan to resurface the road and pavements to allow for better drainage, while maintaining the character of the market street.

Sustainable drainage

A sustainable drainage system using Hydrorock will be fitted underneath the parking bays that stores water and empties slowly, at a rate that does not overwhelm the drains.

We will be testing the system next year within the project area. 

Sign up to project updates to learn about trial dates by filling in the online feedback form below or by be emailing the project team at growthanddeliveryteam@rbkc.gov.uk

Surfacing

We have looked at different options for resurfacing Portobello Road to improve drainage and accessibility, while supporting trading. Options included granite setts, natural sandstone and asphalt. 

We propose to:

• Keep the kerbs so Portobello will still look and feel like a traditional street 
• Use granite on pavements and parking bays to give a high quality, low stain surface
• Use granite on the road to encourage safer riding and driving 
• Widen pavements and raise parking bays to pavement level to reduce crowding
• Minimise the loss of parking bays

This is what the granite setts we are thinking of using look like:

Pavements and parking bays - light grey mix

Road - dark grey mix

Junctions - light brown mix

Kerbs

We are providing new market stalls between Chepstow Villas and Westbourne Grove.

Improved lighting and electricity hookups

Previous consultations highlighted that improved lighting and power supply were needed but people also wanted to keep the traditional character of Portobello.

We propose to:

• Install traditional Victorian-style lampposts rather than any coloured options. These will support seasonal lights and respect the identity of the area.
• Modernise the power supply for traders while matching the look of the existing black bollards.

Proposed lamppost style:

Signage

You wanted:

• More signs within the market (e.g. for market sections and points of interest) as well as to and from public transport, but without creating street clutter.
• Signage that celebrates the history, heritage and identity of the market.
• To be involved in designing new signage.

We will work with the community over the coming year to create signage for the length of Portobello market.

We have been working with the community for almost three years to ensure that proposals reflect the needs and wishes of those who live and work in Portobello.

January 2023

• Community told us to stop the design competition and ensure better consultation.
• Developed an in-depth engagement plan that aimed to listen, learn and utilise the experience of residents, traders and businesses

May 2023

• Open recruitment process to apply to a newly formed Portobello Engagement Oversight Panel (PEOPL). 
• We received 48 applications from across North Kensington and 24 members were recruited who represented the area.
• The panel helped outline a plan for effective and transparent conversations with the community and scrutinise its implementation.

July 2023

• Commissioned WSP consultants to run traffic and utilities surveys and conduct studies on the project area.

February 2024

• Portobello Conversations workshops were held with 41 people attending the sessions (out of 750 invitations made). 98 people were interviewed at the market over two days.
• The exercise was independently facilitated by engagement experts Thinks Insight and Strategy and PlusFour Market Research.

May 2024

• Recommendations report approved by participants, reviewed by the engagement oversight panel, and supported by lead members.

July 2024

• Consultation opened on draft proposals, including key principles for the whole road and focused interventions for the Antiques Gateway.
• AI chat tool powered by Hello Lamp Post launched to provide explainers about the project and a 24/7 communication channel for the community to share feedback about the proposals.

October 2024 to June 2025

• We received 452 responses to the consultation, while at least 2,600 people became aware of the project through online platforms, and the project team had over 200 conversations in person at the market.
• All proposals were well supported, the highest at 82% (tree planting and greening) and the lowest at 61% (seating).
• The consultation feedback was analysed, and the project plans were amended based on details the community answered in the survey.
• An interim road safety barrier scheme was prioritised for implementation while the project plans continue to be developed.

October 2025

• Consultation on detailed plans for the section of Portobello Road between Chepstow Villas and Westbourne Grove, including the junction with Denbigh Terrace.