The next stage of the Gascoigne Road improvement plan in Barking has been reached, with a planning application for Phase One of the project now submitted to The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. The planning application will now be reviewed and a decision made by the end of May 2024.
Once implemented, this plan is set to enhance resident’s health and wellbeing, by delivering a safer, greener, easier to use public realm around the Gascoigne Road, for residents in the neighbourhood and surrounding areas.
A 17-month programme of design and engagement on this plan ended in June last year. This included extensive engagement and co-design process with public and statutory stakeholder groups, the wider public and internal departments within Barking and Dagenham Council.
Feedback received from the public consultation and engagements included; concerns about fast moving traffic, no play or meeting areas, narrow footpaths, unclear crossing points and antisocial behaviour in communal areas.
In response to the feedback received, the design was improved, and the proposal being submitted to the planning committee outlines five main improvements to the realm:
- Improved pedestrian crossings.
- Widening of the pedestrian pavement.
- Replacement of traffic calming measures.
- Narrowing of the road (carriageway) from its current maximum of 10 metres to a consistent 6.5 metres.
- Improved greenspace and play space.
To read the plan visit https://online-befirst.lbbd.gov.uk/planning/index.html?fa=search using the Application Reference Number: 24/00463/FULL
Jacob Willson, Head of Design at Be First said: “Be First has been working closely with residents on this exciting and critical public realm project for Gascoigne Road which lies at the heart of the Gascoigne Estate regeneration project. The proposal, which includes new trees, play space, improved crossings and Sustainable Urban Drainage, will enhance public realm and deliver numerous sustainability benefits to the wider area.”
Cllr Cameron Geddes, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “Following months of engaging and listening to the local community around Gascoigne Road, I’m so pleased to say that we’ve now approved these much-needed proposals.
“One of the main concerns we heard from residents was about road safety, so I’m delighted we’re going to make this area much safer for pedestrians. This really is a case of ‘you said – we did’.
Daniel Rea, Director at Periscope and Landscape Architect for Gascoigne Road said: “Submission of a planning application for Gascoigne Road is a huge milestone for Be First and the communities of the Gascoigne neighbourhood. With new homes being delivered at pace across this part of Barking, social infrastructure and public realm projects like this underline the Councils’ commitment to improving places for existing and new residents alike.
“The project has been produced in co-design with local groups, particularly the Gascoigne Residents Forum who held the pen in the early project stages – the design now put forward really does reflect local priorities.”
