Kensington Palace Gardens reopens to cyclists after safety measures installed
Britain’s most expensive residential road is reopening on Monday evening after “safety measures” to slow down speeding cyclists were installed.
The Crown Estate confirmed to the Standard that temporary measures have been installed along Kensington Palace Gardens, allowing for the road to reopen to both pedestrians and cyclists from 6.30pm.
The Crown Estate faced backlash when what is known as Billionaire’s Row in West London suddenly shut to the public earlier this month, blaming the danger of push bikes hurtling down the exclusive street.
New chicanes, gates and barriers at the entrances of the road, where property prices begin at £35million, were installed to keep cyclists on the carriageway and slow their entrance and exit.
The street runs from Notting Hill Gate to Kensington High Street.
The Crown Estate added that York Passage will reopen to pedestrians but will remain closed to cyclists, while Palace Avenue will reopen to pedestrians, but cyclists must dismount before using the gate.
A spokesman said it will be monitoring the temporary measures “for several weeks as we look to design and implement a longer-term solution”.
The road, which sits next to Kensington Palace, counts Formula 1 heiress Tamara Ecclestone, ex-Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and Princess Haya of Jordan among homeowners.
Cars have always been prohibited from using the private street, but cyclists and pedestrians had previously had full access.
The fight to get the road reopened became a major general election campaigning point locally in the Kensington and Bayswater constituency - the most marginal seat in London.
Both the Conservatives and Labour started petitions demanding the Crown Estate reverse its decision.
Labour candidate Joe Powell called for the road to open immediately to pedestrians.
He said: “I’m delighted Kensington Palace Gardens has reopened and that the Crown Estate has listened to residents and our campaign.
“I’ll be monitoring the situation carefully to make sure full access continues and residents are kept informed.”
