Pedestrian Priority Streets Programme
The City of London Corporation is improving the comfort and safety of pedestrians in the Square Mile. We need to restrict access for motorised traffic on some streets in order to make pavements wider, provide more space for pedestrians and reduce crowding.
In the summer 2020, we provided more space for pedestrians to enable social distancing. These changes have been maintained as traffic experiments so that we can monitor the impacts on residents, businesses and street users.
Our recent consultation assessed the impact of these changes and whether they should be made permanent. The consultation has closed and the results were published in May 2023. Go to the Streets and Walkways Subcommittee agenda 23 May pedestrian priority streets programme for details.
Experimental measures
Chancery Lane
The experimental measure comprises a restriction to through traffic on Chancery Lane between 7am-7pm, Monday-Friday but allows taxis and vehicle access to properties, parking and loading bays.
Go to the Pedestrian Priority Streets Programme Chancery Lane webpage for further details about the measure and a short online consultation questionnaire about the scheme.
Cheapside (east of Bread Street)
From 6 November 2023, taxis will be permitted to drive through the point restriction on Cheapside in both directions, under an Experimental Traffic Order. This is expected to last up to 18 months.
Should you wish to comment on the trial, please complete the consultation questionnaire.
Permanent measures
Cheapside (east of Bread Street)
- Further enhancement of the temporary public realm (i.e. seating and greenery).
King Street - Now Complete
- Retaining the one way working for motorised traffic and two-way cycling.
- Widening the footway for people walking on both sides of the street at various locations.
King William Street
- Adjusting the current restriction which allows access for loading to also allow access for taxis and private hire drop off/pick up to King William Street and Lombard Street.
- Widening the footway for people walking on both sides of the street.
Old Jewry
- Retaining the bollards that close the street at the Cheapside end.
- Creation of a new “green” space in the road at the Cheapside end with plants and seating.
- Carriageway to be raised up around Fredericks Place.
Threadneedle Street and Old Broad Street (south)
- Retaining the one way working for motorised traffic and two-way cycling.
- Widening the footway for people walking on one side of the street.
Experimental Traffic Orders
- Provide an improved walking environment that provides adequate space for pedestrians which, along with improving the quality of the City streets and public realm, contributes to the continued success of the Square Mile as a global centre for business, place to live and visitor destination.
- Improve the safety of pedestrians by reducing conflicts with vehicles and making streets easier to cross.
- Create a more accessible Square Mile where everyone will feel more able and confident to walk on City streets
- Reduce the exposure of pedestrians to air pollution and contributing to overall emission reductions in the City.
- Introduce public realm enhancements to improve the look and feel of the City and introduce greening and seating where appropriate.
Contact the Pedestrian Priority Team
These images are visualisations of what Old Jewry, King Street, King William Street, Cheapside and Old Broad Street/Threadneedle Street (left to right) could look like if the experiment is successful and if it is decided to make the change permanent. You can click on the images to view them full screen.
