Pedestrianisation plans for West End delayed

A scheme to make "the heart of central London" traffic-free has been delayed.

Westminster City Council and the Crown Estate's planned scheme would make Regent Street St James's - the road directly to the south of Piccadilly Circus, running to St James's Park - traffic free and enlarge the pedestrian space at Piccadilly Circus.

The council was due to make a final decision on the scheme in autumn, but it has introduced another public consultation for 2027.

A spokesperson for the council and Crown Estate said this was because "previous rounds of consultation had highlighted areas where more work was needed".

It comes as the mayor of London said part of Oxford Street would be pedestrianised from 26 October.

Westminster Labour had been in charge of the plans until the group lost control of the council in May.

Its councillor, Geoff Barraclough, the group's spokesperson for planning and economic development, criticised the new administration for delaying "one of the biggest growth projects under the council's control".

He said: "The Regent Street scheme, developed closely with the Crown Estate, is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to raise standards, improve traffic flow and create more and better traffic-free space for everyone.

"We had already consulted thousands of people and there was clear support for moving forward.

"Of course, the council should continue talking to residents and businesses as the designs develop, but that shouldn't become an excuse for endless rounds of engagement, dithering and delay."

A spokesperson for the Crown Estate and Westminster City Council said they were in the "next phase of focused stakeholder engagement".

"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," they said.

"We anticipate the next phase of wider public consultation will take place during 2027 and will provide further updates as arrangements are confirmed."

The proposed scheme would create 35,000 sq m (377,000 sq ft) of public space in central London and include improvements to Haymarket, adding greenery and reimagining the setting around All Saints church.

City Hall previously welcomed the plans and said they "complemented" the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street.

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