Around 20 people turned out for the first Brixton street design workshop last night, including local businesses, residents and ward councillors. The event was held to discuss how to improve the town’s public realm. Consultants, Shape, and their engineers, Civic, were on hand to guide the discussion, which focused on nine key areas identified in the Brixton Supplementary Planning Document. These are Atlantic Road, Pope’s Road/Brixton Station Road, Coldharbour Lane, Electric Avenue, the area in front of Brixton Police Station, St Matthew’s Peace Garden, Acre Lane east, Brighton Terrace and Somerleyton Passage/Somerleyton Road.

Those who attended were involved in a lively discussion about the competing pressures in Brixton around walking, cycling, public transport and motor vehicles. The importance of the market was also clearly identified, along with the need for more seating, planting and activity on some of the quieter streets. In addition to the areas identified in the Brixton SPD, which are all in the Council’s control, participants felt it was very important to address issues with Brixton Road. The Council will continue discussions with Transport for London, who control this road, about how to improve pedestrian flow and cycle safety along and across it.

Initial proposals will now be worked up ahead of a second workshop before Christmas. Sign up to the Future Brixton mailing list by emailing [email protected] if you want to receive the invite.

More about the Public Realm Strategy for Brixton here.