News Articles from 2004
Royal Quarter and new road open in Kingston
As the latest part of the north Kingston regeneration, the Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Dennis Doe, officially opened the new north-south link road, Seven Kings Way in Kingston town centre on Thursday 4th March 2004.
Developer St. George West London Limited (SGWL) constructed the road as part of their Royal Quarter development. Funding of around £280,000 for the road was also provided by Sainsbury’s through a planning obligation. The road now provides a direct link between Kingsgate Road and Sury Basin, and will improve access from the south of the town and Kingston Bridge to the recently built Seven Kings Car Park, which was opened last year.
This is particularly important as Seven Kings Car park will provide much needed extra parking capacity once the nearby Bentalls 'B' car park is closed for re-building. Additional traffic signs are due to be installed to increase the awareness of the new road and its convenience for visitors to Kingston
Seven Kings Way joins Sury Basin at a traffic signal controlled junction opposite the entrance to the Sainsbury's car park. The road is 150 metres long, two lanes wide and operates one-way northbound from Kingsgate Road to Sury Basin.
The new road also provides the traffic and pedestrian route to SGWL's Royal Quarter Development, which was also officially opened by the Mayor on 4th March. This development of 450 flats will contribute towards the regeneration of north Kingston with over 100 flats in the affordable housing category for rent and shared ownership. It will also contribute to environmental improvements to Skerne Road and Canbury Passage such as mosaic murals being created by the Save The World Club and the local community.
Executive Member for Economic and Strategic Development Councillor Roger Hayes said : “This is a vitally important new development for Kingston. Economically the new link road will reduce pressure on traffic flows around Kingston and enable easier access to the Seven Kings Car Park. It is also a significant part of the regeneration of the former power station site and the ‘greening’ of Skerne Road so there are huge environmental benefits.
With over 100 apartments in the development devoted to the affordable housing this is also a huge boost to social housing stock. Over the years the Council has developed a robust relationship with St George West Limited and we now have a good working partnership. “
