URBAN REALM DESIGN |
Babington Road Streetscape Design | LB Lambeth
In 2012 Lambeth Council successfully trialled a new food market in Streatham at the junction of Babington Road and Mitcham Road. The Council then commissioned Urban Movement to develop concept designs for a new permanent market space on Babington Road and manage a series of public consultation events. The agreed concept designs were then developed to the detailed stage (RIBA D) and handed over to the Council’s term contractor FM Conway for technical design and construction. The scheme was completed in 2014 and the space now hosts the market, as intended, as a weekly event.
To create a ‘piazza’ space for the market/community events and to eliminate ‘rat-running’, Babington Road was permanently closed to through traffic. The space occupies the former junction area with Mitcham Road, outside the Manor Arms public house.
The whole piazza area was paved in high quality, UK quarried, yorkstone slabs strong enough to withstand overrun by traders’ vehicles, market stalls and pedestrians. The surface is generally flat, with no kerbs or steps, to help minimise ‘trip’ hazards.
A large existing mature London Plane tree, next to the bus stop, was retained while three new trees were planted to define the northern and western sides of the new space. In conjunction with seats and cycle stands these also help to physically prevent motorists from driving through the space.
Fourteen new hardwood timber and cast iron seats were installed across the piazza to allow the full amenity value of the new space to be realised. Some of these were positioned so that they could also be used by people waiting for a bus whilst the others faced south, affording a view across the green.
To create a ‘piazza’ space for the market/community events and to eliminate ‘rat-running’, Babington Road was permanently closed to through traffic. The space occupies the former junction area with Mitcham Road, outside the Manor Arms public house.
The whole piazza area was paved in high quality, UK quarried, yorkstone slabs strong enough to withstand overrun by traders’ vehicles, market stalls and pedestrians. The surface is generally flat, with no kerbs or steps, to help minimise ‘trip’ hazards.
A large existing mature London Plane tree, next to the bus stop, was retained while three new trees were planted to define the northern and western sides of the new space. In conjunction with seats and cycle stands these also help to physically prevent motorists from driving through the space.
Fourteen new hardwood timber and cast iron seats were installed across the piazza to allow the full amenity value of the new space to be realised. Some of these were positioned so that they could also be used by people waiting for a bus whilst the others faced south, affording a view across the green.
