The project aims to deliver a simplified road network with calmer and safer streets, converting several streets in the Marylebone and Fitzrovia area to two-way streets and expanding on the successful public realm improvements made as part of the Wigmore Street Improvement Scheme.
Wide, multi-lane streets in one direction encourage high traffic speeds, particularly during quieter periods of the day. This project offers an opportunity to rebalance road space and traffic signal timings to provide greater benefit to pedestrians, while maintaining appropriate traffic capacity and discouraging high speeds.
Across London, many similar one-way road systems are being successfully transformed into community friendly, safe and well-planned two-way streets. The changes in this proposal will allow vehicles to travel shorter, more direct routes and create calmer streets by reducing the dominance of vehicle traffic.
The sides of the Square are currently northbound on the west side and southbound on the east side. The removal of the underground car park in the Square provides the opportunity to switch these around to help create a continuous southbound route from Harley Street to Henrietta Place. This simplifies the junctions, enables additional and improved pedestrian crossings, and is beneficial for cyclists following the southbound route. Similarly, a continuous northbound route is also established through to Chandos Street via the east side of Cavendish Square.
The new proposal represents an exciting opportunity to build on the successes of Wigmore Street Improvement Scheme and create an improved street environment for all. With a focus on inclusivity, the proposed improvements to Wigmore Street, Mortimer Street, Margaret Street, and Henrietta Place provide a safer and more accessible space for pedestrians, while also improving traffic flow for businesses and residents.
To enhance the accessibility and enjoyable atmosphere of Cavendish Square, the programme proposes several improvements to circulation and the public space around Cavendish Square.
Pedestrian access to and around Cavendish Square will be improved through wider, more direct footways, improved crossings and extended corners of the Square. A separate project, delivered by the developer for the underground car park, includes further upgrades to the public realm around Cavendish Square.
To deliver a simplified traffic network and calmer stree, the project proposes changes to bus operations.
Specifically, the strategy aims to rationalise bus turnaround loops – reducing the lengths of these loops and relocating bus stand locations. This will reduce the circulation of buses in East Marylebone and West Fitzrovia.
Bus operations around Cavendish Square will be removed.
To learn more about changes to bus operations, please refer to the maps here.
The proposal will allow for more parking in the East Marylebone and West Fitzrovia area.
Disabled parking will be repositioned and additional parking bays are proposed around Cavendish Square. Parking bays will be increased.
The taxi rank capacity on Cavendish Square will be increased and a new rank is proposed for the western end of Henrietta Place.
A detailed loading activity analysis has been undertaken and the project proposes loading at locations where there is a current demand.
To learn more about parking and loading changes, please see the proposed changes here.
Please send questions, concerns or request translation services to the Oxford Street Programme Team at oxfordst@westminster.gov.uk
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Roads with two-way traffic are proven to have slower moving traffic compared to roads that are one-way. Additionally, two-way traffic allows vehicles to take more direct routes throughout the network resulting in shorter journeys, less traffic circulating in the area and reduced noise. The goal of these changes is to create a calmer and safer street scape for all users.
The following streets will have two-way traffic:
We propose changes to traffic operation:
Margaret Street will remain one-way between John Prince’s Street and Great Portland Street. Introducing two-way traffic would add delays to all road users.
Improve walking conditions around the Cavendish Square and the garden area by replacing the complicated traffic arrangements with simple streets and legible layouts, adding new crossings and pavements all around the Square.
Four additional disabled bays are proposed around Cavendish Square and the existing two disabled bays in the project area are to be retained.
The new taxi ran proposed at the western end of Henrietta Place is a 3-bay rank. The existing taxi rank outside John Lewis on the south side of Cavendish Square is retained and increased in length from 6 to 7 bays.
To learn more about parking and loading changes, please see the proposed changes here.
No additional restrictions for this project. Taxis will benefit from more direct routes associated with the two-way streets and a new bus, taxi, and cyclist only section eastbound on Margaret Street.
The changes to bus stands in this area are part of the wider plan proposed to improve bus operations and journey times in the area and reduce the bus turnaround loops. Bus stands will be removed on Cavendish Place and two on Henrietta Place. The programme proposes two new bus stands on Margaret Street.
To learn more about changes to bus operations, please refer to the maps here.
Motorcycle parking is currently located on Henrietta Place, Margaret Street and around Cavendish Square. The proposal relocates the motorcycle parking from Margaret Street and offset this by increasing the provision around Cavendish Square. The overall impact is a reduction of 9 spaces in the Wigmore Street Area.
There are no changes proposed to the diplomatic bays.
The hospital bay is for the blood donor premises on Margaret Street. The bay is proposed a short distance away around the corner on Great Portland Street to enable the changes to bus operations in the area.
July & August 2023 - Public Consultation (complete) & Traffic Management Order consultation
Autumn 2023 review
Winter 2023 Subject to Public Consultation and Cabinet Member approval construction work begins.
