Westminster City Council, working with The Crown Estate, has recommended the Regent Street, Haymarket and Piccadilly Circus public realm programme moves into its next design phase following last summer's consultation.

Around 5,000 people took part in the second engagement round — the biggest response to any public realm project in Westminster to date.

Plans would pedestrianise Regent Street St James's, Waterloo Place and the south side of Piccadilly Circus, creating more than 35,000 square metres of new public space. Wider upgrades to junctions, pavements and drainage across Regent Street and neighbouring streets aim to improve journeys for residents, workers, drivers, cyclists, bus users and the millions who visit the West End each year.

The programme is also intended to bolster local businesses and the 94,000 jobs they support, helping to sustain the area’s long-term economic vitality.

-- Advertisement --

Feedback, gathered via an online survey and 31 in-person events, showed strong support for better pedestrian access and early proposals to enhance cycling. Overall, 60% of respondents backed the plans, rising to 62% for expanding pedestrian space at Piccadilly Circus.

The design team, led by London-based practice Allies and Morrison and shaped by public input, will bring forward a final set of public realm designs for consultation in summer 2026, giving residents, workers, visitors and partners another chance to comment.

After that consultation, and subject to funding, the Council’s Cabinet is expected to decide in autumn 2026 whether to proceed. If approved, most costs would be met by the private sector rather than the Council. Construction is currently expected to begin in early 2029.

Cllr Geoff Barraclough, Westminster City Council Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, said: "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform major parts of London’s West End. The proposals would create more than five football pitches' worth of new public space for the 160 million people who work, shop and visit the area each year.

"This plan would improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, provide wider pavements and safer crossings, support cycling, and introduce more trees and places to sit and spend time. We're really encouraged by the positive response so far and look forward to developing the detailed designs ahead of a full public consultation this summer."

The council has published engagement findings and further details will be set out ahead of the 2026 consultation.