Trees could be planted in former car parking spaces in Fitzrovia West

Several streets in Fitzrovia West could benefit from extra greening in a scheme proposed by Westminster Council to plant trees on “highway build-outs” in former car parking spaces.

The council has drawn up a long-list of 182 streets across the City of Westminster which could be suitable for trees in the carriageway in a scheme to explore the feasibility of this type of planting.

“The programme aims to contribute to the Council’s target of a 10 per cent increase of existing tree canopy cover overall by 2050 in line with Greater London Authority targets. It also addresses the lack of tree planting space in existing footways by planting trees in the highway,” states a report for Councillor Max Sullivan, cabinet member for streets, who has approved the £1mn project costs.

Finding space for more street trees to improve the environment in Westminster is difficult as footway space is often restricted. Instead, “highways build-outs continue to be explored as a possible solution for introducing additional trees”, says the report.

Westminster Council has for a number of years been examining options for siting trees in the tarmac next to footways.

In 2021 approval was give which led to “four schemes consisting of 33 tree build-outs” completed across four streets in Westminster with a further 15 trees due to be dug in.

Briefing notes produced by council officers in 2019 and 2020 state that planting trees in the carriageway costs “between £5,000 and £15,000 per site” compared to planting on the footway which starts at around £350 per tree. Maintenance costs for two to three years to establish the tree have to be added to that, then ongoing long-term pruning has to be factored in to future revenue expenditure.

However, as the locations are further away from buildings, larger tree species can be planted.

“As a rule of thumb, the largest tree that the site can accommodate is selected, in order that canopy cover and environmental benefits are maximised,” state arboricultural officers.

Westminster is also looking at options to combine tree planting with improved local storm water run-off.

“The project team is coordinating with the Council’s Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) team to identify build-outs which may also be able to incorporate SUDS,” states the report.

Streets in Fitzrovia West on the long-list are: Wells Mews, Wells Street, Newman Street, Clipstone Mews, and Great Titchfield Street.

Westminster Council decision: Highways Buildouts for Trees.

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