Tidying up the Manor

Ruislip Manor is on the verge of a makeover that will not only make the area look better, but also provide the community with better facilities and increase its appeal to everyone.

Steer Davies Gleave is leading a multidisciplinary team that is working with Hillingdon Council to develop a range of projects in Ruislip Manor that will introduce extensive urban realm improvements and will help to regenerate this important local centre. The Council and the Mayor have committed substantial funding over the next two years to support this transformation.

Using a holistic approach, the project will seek to establish a strong local identity and an attractive, sociable environment for Ruislip Manor. Using a high-quality streetscape, it will maintain the area’s flexibility as a space for activity and movement. There will be focus on making Shenley Park and the nearby library feel like central parts of the community so that the whole centre feels more unified. These enhancements aim to make Ruislip Manor a safe and accessible centre for all.

Following the public consultation in November 2012 we are completing detailed designs that will ‘clean up’ the area. These include plans to improve pedestrian links and crossings to key destinations in the town centre, add more greenery and tree planting to improve the streetscape, enhance lighting to improve personal safety and reduce anti-social behaviour, and remove unnecessary or redundant street clutter.

As well as physical improvements, the project focuses on improving perceptions and encouraging greater use of the town centre so that Ruislip Manor remains a viable local centre which is attractive to businesses and their customers. As part of the project our team has negotiated a short-term lease for a vacant shop that has been used by the local community for workshops, and following a Dragon’s Den-style contest, it will become a popup shop for a new local business.

Our specialist team created graphic design and visual merchandising that will: t Deliver town centre branding that draws upon the area’s metroland heritage t Develop shopfront improvements to unify the town centre t Improve displays to make shop windows more attractive. The improvements to Ruislip Manor will start in 2013 and will be completed in early 2014. Visitwww.hillingdon.gov.uk/article/25526/Ruislip-Manor to read more.