Famous London road to get makeover but residents express ‘heavy mistrust’ in council

By Alicia Curry, Local Democracy Reporter

A road is set to undergo a major rejuvenation project, but residents and workers say the community is underpinned by a fear of change.

While Kensington and Chelsea council have pre-existing aims for the famous street market, Portobello Road – namely improvements to flood mitigation, transport flow and greening – no decisions have yet been finalised.

In an attempt to reflect the interests of the community, a panel of local voices from residents, businesses and traders has been recruited to help inform a consultation on modifications to the Portobello Road.

But with the year-long engagement process underway, residents have expressed “heavy mistrust” in the council’s activities following the Grenfell tragedy.

Ruth Odusanya Daniel, who is one of the panellists and lives close by to the world-renowned market, said: “There’s definitely a sense of huge fear in the community and worry over what the council is hiding.

“I hope this project can help to repair the relationship with the council and that transparency over plans will stop people feeling insecure,” she added.

“Ever since the Grenfell fire people have held an anger because they didn’t help enough and this paranoia is impacting peoples mental health.”

Lead Member councillor Elizabeth Campbell said that the council understands that “rebuilding trust takes time”.

She added: “We have been set the challenge to become the best council for our communities by the bereaved and survivors of the Grenfell tragedy and have been working with our residents over the last year to understand what this means to them.”

The body is investing in the area to ensure the famous street market continues to serve the day-to-day needs of residents while attracting visitors from across the country and the world.

Portobello and Golborne Road Market can see more than 80,000 visitors on a single Saturday and traders have shared that despite their fear of change the road is crying out for improvements to accommodate the heavy footfall.

Traders expressed hope that the plans include more space to park their produce vans, better organisation of merchants and a clean-up of graffiti.

Cheryl Devlin, the fifth-generation owner of Devlin’s Fruit and Veg stall, said: “It would be great if it could be made to look a little prettier, some trees or something would clean the area right up.

“But I think the priority should be working out a new system for the market so that it’s better organised. Clothes all in one place and hot food in another so that we don’t get the smells wafting over our fresh produce and it’s easier for customers.”

Cllr Campbell added: “People want to be involved from the outset in decisions that affect them and we agree that local people know what their communities need.

“From helping us design new standards for all Council staff to resident membership of the new Portobello Engagement Oversight Panel – we are working together for the sake of our communities.”

The period of consultation for the project will end in Spring 2024, with plans for the road to be drawn up by this time.

Pictured top: Ruth Odusanya Daniel, is one of the panellists being consulted on the plans for the road (Picture: Alicia Curry)