We provided professional landscape architect services to the Walworth Society for a review of Liverpool Grove, off Walworth Road. Initially, our landscape architect team assessed whether Liverpool Grove could adopt the principles of ‘Shared Space’. Our analysis confirmed that it was suitable. Therefore, our landscape architects developed a landscape design to support this approach.
Walworth Road runs north–south along the western end of Liverpool Grove. At the eastern end, St Peter’s Church forms a prominent landmark. The Grade I listed building creates an attractive vista along the street. Furthermore, the existing road has a wide building-to-building frontage. This openness strengthens views towards the church from Walworth Road.
Liverpool Grove does not provide through access for motor vehicles. Consequently, traffic volumes remain very low and vehicles generally travel at slow speeds. This made the street suitable for a Shared Space landscape design. However, the road also functions as a cycle thoroughfare. Our landscape architect therefore incorporated cycle movement into the proposed design.
The wide street frontage allowed us to introduce new trees without disrupting views towards St Peter’s Church. In addition, we proposed reorganising the existing parking layout. This approach would retain all existing parking spaces on one side of the street. As a result, the remaining street could accommodate a wider range of public realm improvements.
The landscape design also introduced new seating and cycle storage. We proposed a new paved surface extending from building frontage to building frontage. Together, these changes would transform Liverpool Grove from a residential road into a linear public square. The proposed landscape architecture would also provide an attractive setting for the Grade I listed church. At the same time, it would create a high-quality space for local residents.
Finally, our landscape architects presented the Liverpool Grove landscape design to the Walworth Society and other interested parties. The presentation generated considerable discussion and enthusiasm. Consequently, it helped build support for taking the project forward.
Landscape Institutes Work Stages: A to B
Client: Walworth Society