Westminster pedestrianisation plans delayed by at least a year
New public space proposals for Piccadilly Circus and St James's Park area face further consultation.
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The central claim is attributed to an updated consultation website, but no specific body is named.
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Proposals to pedestrianise key areas in Westminster, including sections of Regent Street St James’s and Waterloo Place, have been delayed by at least a year. The scheme, which aims to create over 35,000 square metres of new public space, will now undergo another consultation before a final decision is made.
Scheme Details and Original Timeline
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The plans include making Regent Street St James’s, Waterloo Place, and the south side of Piccadilly Circus free of vehicular traffic. The initiative also involves improvements to junctions, pavements, and drainage across Regent Street and its surroundings. Currently, Regent Street St James’s operates with northbound traffic, while Haymarket handles southbound traffic. The proposed changes would pedestrianise Regent Street St James’s and convert Haymarket to a two-way street. North of Piccadilly Circus, the central island on Regent Street would be removed to accommodate wider pavements and cycle lanes.
A consultation process for the scheme has been ongoing. A decision on whether to proceed was anticipated soon. However, an update on the consultation website indicates that another consultation will be conducted next year. This means a decision will not be made until after this further engagement.
Impact of the Delay
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The original timetable for the project indicated that construction work was set to commence in early 2029. As reported by ianVisits, this delay will likely push the start date back to 2030 at the earliest, contingent on the scheme ultimately receiving approval.
Questions this report answers
+What areas are affected by the proposed pedestrianisation plans?
The plans aim to make Regent Street St James’s, Waterloo Place, and the south side of Piccadilly Circus traffic-free. The scheme also includes changes to Haymarket and Regent Street north of Piccadilly Circus.
+How much new public space will the scheme create?
The proposals are designed to create over 35,000 square metres of new public space in the heart of Westminster. This will involve removing traffic from key streets and reconfiguring existing areas.
+When was the construction work originally expected to start?
The original timeline for the pedestrianisation scheme anticipated that construction work would begin in early 2029. Due to the recent delays and further consultation, this start date is now likely to be pushed back to 2030 at the earliest.
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