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Westminster City Council, led by the Tories, has delayed a plan to pedestrianize parts of Piccadilly Circus and Regent Street in London's West End. Originally set to conclude a public consultation this summer and begin construction in early 2029, the council now plans to conduct another consultation in 2027. Labour councillors criticize the delay, calling it an example of "dithering" that undermines efforts to promote growth in the area. The proposed scheme aims to create 35,000 square meters of public space and improve traffic flow, with over 60 percent support from respondents in a previous consultation involving around 5,000 participants.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-09,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The proposed plan to make parts of Central London traffic-free has been delayed by the Tory-led Westminster City Council. Originally set for a final decision in autumn after a public consultation planned for summer 2023, the project aimed to turn the south side of Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street, St James’s, and Waterloo Place into pedestrian zones. The scheme, a partnership between Westminster City Council and The Crown Estate, would also create 35,000 square metres of public space in Central London.
However, due to the change in local administration following Labour's loss of control in May 2023, Westminster Labour criticized the new council for delaying the initiative. A wider stage of public consultation is now not expected until 2027, significantly pushing back construction which was initially planned to start in early 2029. Cllr Geoff Barraclough from Westminster Labour emphasized that the scheme represents a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" to enhance public spaces and traffic flow, urging for its swift implementation.
Written for “West End Pedestrianisation Delay” on 2026-10-09,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The model judged this article politically coded and scored it -0.45, but all 2 of its quote(s) are attributed speech - words the article quotes from someone, not the article's own narration, so the score is not published.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
rather than checkable quotes. Re-analysing this article replaces it.
Leaning score withheld for article 67832: attributed speech only · logged 2026-10-09
A scheme to make “the heart of Central London” traffic-free has been delayed.
asserted
heart → make → London
The proposed changes would make the south side of Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street St James’s and Waterloo Place vehicle-free.
asserted
side → propose → Circus
Westminster City Council’s Cabinet was due to make a final decision on the scheme in autumn, following another public consultation which should have taken place in summer.
asserted
which → make → summer
If approved, construction was then expected to begin in early 2029.
asserted
construction → approve → 2029
However it now seems that the proposals have been significantly delayed by the Tory-controlled local authority.
asserted
proposals → seem → authority
A council website page dedicated to the scheme now states that the wider stage of public consultation will not take place until 2027.
asserted
stage → dedicate → 2027
Westminster Labour, who had been pushing through the plans until they lost control of the council in May, has criticised the new administration for putting the scheme on the back burner.
uncertain
they → push → burner
Cllr Geoff Barraclough, Labour spokesperson for Planning and Economic Development, said: “Growth in the West End depends on high-quality public realm designed for people.
asserted
Growth → say → people
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.
asserted
scheme → develop → everyone
“The Conservatives say they want a relentless focus on growth.
asserted
they → say → growth
Yet within months of taking office, they have delayed one of the biggest growth projects directly under the council’s control.
asserted
they → take → control
“We had already consulted thousands of people and there was clear support for moving forward.
asserted
We → consult → people
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.
asserted
that → continue → engagement
“The West End is competing with the best destinations in the world.
asserted
End → compete → world
If the Conservatives are serious about growth, they should get on with the Regent Street project.”
asserted
they → get → project
The proposed scheme, which is a partnership between the council and The Crown Estate, would also create 35,000 square metres of public space in Central London.
It would include improvements to Haymarket, adding greenery and reimagining the setting around All Saints Church.
asserted
It → propose → Church
Around 5,000 people took part in a consultation on the proposals during summer 2025, with over 60 percent of respondents supporting them.
asserted
percent → take → them
A spokesperson for Westminster City Council has not yet responded to the Local Democracy Reporting Service’s request for a comment on the delay.
asserted
spokesperson → respond → delay
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