Westminster Launches £1.49m Upgrade of Tactile Paving to Boost Pedestrian Safety and Accessibility

Westminster City Council has approved a three-year programme to overhaul tactile paving across the city, aiming to make pedestrian crossings safer and more visible for visually impaired people and other pedestrians.

The council is investing £1.49 million to enhance colour contrast, improve consistency, and provide clearer guidance at crossings, bringing them in line with national accessibility standards. Previous council guidance had not fully matched these standards, resulting in tactile paving that lacked contrasting colours and, at controlled crossings, did not extend far enough into the pavement—both factors that make crossings harder to detect for people with visual impairments. The upgrade will cover all signalised and zebra crossings, with priority given to areas with heavy foot traffic, including schools, hospitals, transport hubs, and shopping districts.

The programme was developed in consultation with disability charities and organisations such as RNIB, Transport for All, and Dementia UK. Their input helped shape the plans to ensure the upgrades provide the greatest practical benefit for people navigating the city safely.

One participant in the consultation sessions commented:

“I love it. I love the high contrast. It’s one of those embedded things that makes other people notice too, even if they don’t have sight problems.”

The initiative forms part of Westminster Council’s broader commitment to improving public spaces, supporting active travel, and enhancing connectivity for residents and visitors.

Councillor Max Sullivan, Cabinet Member for Streets, said:

“Westminster previously adopted tactile paving that did not fully comply with national accessibility guidance, which created challenges for blind and partially sighted people. Accessibility on our streets should never be a postcode lottery.

With updated guidance and this investment, people with visual impairments and other disabilities can move around the city more safely and confidently. Combined with stricter enforcement against pavement obstructions, this is another step towards a fairer and more accessible Westminster.”