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Londoners, if you were hoping to frolic through the West End without having to look both ways when you cross the road, you’re going to have to wait a little while longer.
The much-anticipated plan to transform one of the busiest parts of central London into a car-free zone has been delayed.
Led by both Westminster City Council and the Crown Estate, the grand plan announced earlier this year would pedestrianise Regent Street St James’s from south of Piccadilly Circus until it reaches the royal St James’s Park. The proposals would also broaden the pedestrian space currently at Piccadilly Circus. Overall, this would generate 35,000 square metres of public space, which is about five football pitches.
Separately, a 1km stretch of nearby Oxford Street is also being pedestrianised by the Mayor of London. And the grand opening of that is just around the corner. Part of Oxford Street will be car-free from October 26. The mayor’s City Hall had previously been supportive of the pedestrianisation of Regent Street St James’s, saying it would ‘complement’ the Oxford Street redevelopment.
At the mo, vehicles heading north travel along Regent Street St James’s, whereas those going southwards drive down neighbouring Haymarket. But under the proposed plans, no drivers are allowed on Regent Street James’s and instead they can travel on Haymarket, which would handle traffic moving in both directions. There would also be wider pavements and new cycle lanes.
Although the council was set to green light the West End pedestrianisation plan this autumn, with works beginning in early 2029, there will now be another round of public consultations which will launch next year. This is because of issues raised during previous consultations, planning chiefs said.
A spokesperson for the Crown Estate and Westminster City Council told the BBC’s Local Democracy Service: ‘Previous rounds of consultation had highlighted areas where more work was needed and we are committed to developing a scheme that incorporates those comments and will work for residents, visitors and businesses.’
Westminster’s Labour councillor Geoff Barraclough - whose party led the council during the project’s initial phases - condemned the setback as ‘an excuse for endless rounds of engagement, dithering and delay’.
So don’t hold your breath for that one, Londoners. But at least you’ll soon be able to pick up some flat-pack Ikea furniture without the extra stress of navigating Oxford Street traffic.
Tissues at the ready: HMV is closing its Oxford Street shop, again.
Plus: These are the best things happening in London this October.
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