Popular community space Maxilla Gardens is set for a make-over!
Community not-for-profit Grow to Know has re-imagined space as a collective memory of a community that has thrived under the shadow of the Westway flyover.
Following around 6 months of knowledge gathering and engagement with local residents, local organisations, local businesses, as well as collating and understanding previous surveys, consultations and data - Maxilla Gardens is to be transformed. The reimagined space will be a purposeful, beautiful garden which sets out to preserve the many stories of the people, past and present, highlighting the history of the Westway. This will shape the future of the space, further connecting community hubs whilst trying to confront the environmental and social challenges the Westway poses.
With the garden set to be opened in May 2024, Grow to Know are asking: What does life under the Westway mean to you?
It’s here that the stories of the old will meet the dreams of the new, creating a space that celebrates the enduring legacy of the Westway and the indomitable heart of North Kensington.
Works on site will begin in early April 2024, and will be completed within 6 weeks, in time for a late-May 2024 opening.
Details of works programme:
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A parking restriction will be enforced on St. Marks Road (for 3 bays) to allow for the access of vehicles and machinery into the garden during the 6 weeks. This parking suspension runs from 27 March to 17 May 2024.
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Heras Fencing, Welfare unit, Portaloo's, Secure lockup and Signage will be moved on site on 2 April, and will remain in place for 6 weeks until 17 May 2024.
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A section of the garden will remain outside the fenced area and open to the public throughout the 6-week programme (indicated as yellow area on this map).
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Old pathways and anything that will not be needed for the new garden design.
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Where possible, plants and shrubs removed from current plantings will be transferred to other gardens on the Westway Trust estate.
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The design incorporates additional trees being planted.
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The design features a stand-alone centerpiece structure, which will be located in the centre of the garden. A Planning Application for the stand-alone centerpiece has been submitted to RBKC. The application process is expected to take around 7 weeks. It is likely that the installation will occur after the completion of primary works on 17 May 2024.
Unfortunately, pedestrian access between St Mark's Road and the western end of Maxilla Gardens (by the Forest School) will be restricted from Wednesday 10 - Friday 19 April. A pedestrian detour will be in place and clearly sign-posted along Cambridge Gardens.
Thank you for your understanding while these works are completed.
For more information on this project, please contact our Project Manager, Colin Ellis.