The City’s project to regenerate the Aldgate area reaches a significant milestone today (12 October 2015) as the western side of the Aldgate Gyratory is permanently closed to traffic so the area can be transformed into a new public space, Aldgate Square.

Today’s closure is the first step in constructing a new, high quality public space between Sir John Cass’s Foundation Primary School and St Botolph without Aldgate Church. The new square will include a social enterprise café, water features, areas to relax and eat lunch along with a gated garden.

The project, part of the City’s Aldgate and Tower Area Enhancement Strategy, is worth over £20 million and covers an area of over 36,000 square metres. The project greatly improves the environment, introducing over 50 new street trees in addition to the herbaceous planting planned for the public spaces. The project is jointly funded by Transport for London and the City of London. The London Borough of Tower Hamlets is also a key project partner.

Speaking at an event to mark the milestone being reached, Marianne Fredericks, Chairman of the Streets & Walkways Sub-Committee at the City of London, said:

“Aldgate Gyratory was traffic dominated, really difficult to get around and effectively severed the local community. Closing this street is a huge step forward in creating this fantastic new public space for the whole community to enjoy; our new place is their space. It’s one of the many things the City is doing to enhance the environment for our residents, businesses and visitors.”

For more information about the project click here www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/aldgatearea

Media Enquiries

Bella Longman, Media Officer, City of London Corporation

Tel: 020 7332 1906 / Mobile: 07809 334 327

Email: bella.longman@cityoflondon.gov.uk

About the City of London Corporation 

The City of London Corporation provides local government and policing services for the financial and commercial heart of Britain, the 'Square Mile'. In addition, the City Corporation has three roles:

(1) We support London’s communities by working in partnership with neighbouring boroughs on economic regeneration, education and skills projects. In addition, the City of London Corporation’s charity City Bridge Trust makes grants of more than £15 million annually to charitable projects across London and we also support education with three independent schools, three City Academies, a primary school and the world-renowned Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

(2) We also help look after key London’s heritage and green spaces including Tower Bridge, Museum of London, Barbican Arts Centre, City gardens, Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest, Burnham Beeches, and important ‘commons’ in south London.

(3) We also support and promote the ‘City’ as a world-leading financial and business hub, with outward and inward business delegations, high-profile civic events and research-driven policies all reflecting a long-term approach.

About the Aldgate and Tower Area Enhancement Strategy 2011The City’s Aldgate and Tower Area Enhancement Strategy 2011 was developed in 2011 driven by the City’s policy makers noting the removal of the gyratory in the City’s Local Plan. Extensive consultation with local stakeholder groups helped form the content of the Strategy, being adopted in late 2011. The Strategy aims to:

• Create a better built environment, delivering a high quality environment and services which support and encourages further investment in City as a leading business centre.
• Provide and facilitate the infrastructure that the City requires for its further development and growth as a world business city.
• Deliver a high quality environment for workers, residents and visitors that complement the City’s unique environment, culture and heritage.