Westminster appoints Oxford Street contractor

Westminster City Council's ambitious £235m plans, kick-started with £150m of Council funding, to improve and future proof the iconic Oxford Street District in central London have received an enormous boost by commissioning a joint venture between J Murphy & Sons Ltd and Carey Group as the design and build contractors for the area.

In early 2019 the Council approved a Place Strategy and Delivery plan that sets out its priorities to create an extraordinary district focused on the needs of future generations. We are crafting a unique contemporary offer of economic strength and resilience, world-class shopping experience, leisure, culture, workspace, greening, bustle and calm. It includes a number of flagship public realm schemes, including two new public piazzas at Oxford Circus, which combined with other measures, will shift the focus to an unmatched pedestrian comfort.  All of this will significantly improve the experience as well as the look and feel of Oxford Street and the surrounding areas. There will now be a step change in the scale and visibility of delivery, with our client and delivery teams fully in place.

The design and build contractor J Murphy & Sons Ltd and Carey Group will support the Council to deliver its vision through almost 100 distinct projects. Each project has been designed to enhance locations the full length of Oxford Street and taken together will:

• Enhance the area's heritage and historic neighbourhoods for a vibrant and thriving community
• Adapt to a rapidly evolving retail environment by enabling amazing experiences
• Cater for more visitors expected when the Elizabeth Line opens
• Reduce congestion, improve air quality and provide better cycling routes
• Create beautiful and green public spaces

In addition, Westminster’s client team will be added to with a new Oxford Street District Programme Director from Turner & Townsend who will also provide other staff resources to the Programme.

Cllr Richard Beddoe, Cabinet Member for Planning and Place Shaping, said: "We are hugely ambitious for the Oxford Street District and have already set aside £150m of Council capital funds to massively kick start delivery of our exciting vision. Our appointment of J Murphy & Sons Ltd and Carey Group is a clear statement that we mean business and we remain fully focused on delivering the much-needed improvements that will future proof this much loved area for generations to come. With this appointment we are taking huge strides towards turning our vision for the Oxford Street District in to exhilarating reality and we look forward to continue working with residents, businesses and everyone who has an interest in the area's success to deliver a scheme that will be the envy of the world."

Murphy & Sons Ltd CEO, John Murphy, said “Given our experience in successfully delivering engineering and construction projects in central London, I’m particularly pleased we have secured this contract with our Joint Venture partner. I’m looking forward to working together and playing our part in making the Oxford Street District an even better place to work and visit.”

Jason Carey, Carey Group Interim Joint Chief Executive Officer said “We are proud to be part of this project alongside our Joint Venture partner to further develop the Oxford Street District into an iconic destination.  Drawing on our experience of delivering civil engineering projects in the heart of London, this will further enhance London’s reputation as one of the world’s leading capital cities.”