Construction has begun on plans from the Crown Estate and Westminster City Council to make Regent Street more attractive to visitors.
The plans include permanently widening pavements to provide around 53,819 sq ft of extra space for pedestrians to aid with social distancing and improve accessibility, after temporary measures were put in place earlier this year after the initial outbreak of Covid-19.
Cycle lanes will also be introduced, while road space will be reduced to a single lane in each direction.
Tree planting and greenery will also be added along the major West End shopping street, which will help boost biodiversity and improve air quality, and new seating installed.
“As we continue to invest for the future, we, along with our partners, saw a great opportunity to build upon recent experiences of reduced traffic and improved air quality,” said James Cooksey, director of central London at The Crown Estate.
“We are hugely proud of these latest plans for Regent Street, which will make more space for pedestrians, reduce traffic, improve facilities for cyclists and introduce more greenery – helping to reinforce the compelling offer of the West End and further secure our place as one of the country’s best loved destinations.”
Westminster City Council leader and councillor Rachael Robathan added: “We welcome this investment in Regent Street by The Crown Estate to create a safe, green and inspiring environment in a key location within the West End.
“These new interim measures replace the arrangements that the council put in place to support the reopening of the city earlier this summer, and takes them to an enhanced level. It is through this strong collaborative approach, working closely with residents, businesses and other partners, that we will help to secure the successful future of this world-renowned destination.”
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