Westminster City Council has pushed back the pedestrianisation of Piccadilly Circus and Regent Street to at least 2027, delaying a scheme that would create 35,000 square metres of public space in Central London. The Tory-controlled authority has postponed the wider public consultation until 2027, according to a council website page dedicated to the project.
Scheme details and timeline
The proposed changes would make the south side of Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street St James’s and Waterloo Place vehicle-free. The scheme, a partnership between the council and The Crown Estate, also includes improvements to Haymarket, adding greenery and reimagining the setting around All Saints Church.
Westminster City Council’s Cabinet was due to make a final decision on the scheme in autumn, following another public consultation that should have taken place in summer. If approved, construction was expected to begin in early 2029.
Political criticism over delay
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. 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. 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.”
Barraclough added: “The Conservatives say they want a relentless focus on growth. Yet within months of taking office, they have delayed one of the biggest growth projects directly under the council’s control. We had already consulted thousands of people and there was clear support for moving forward. 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.”
Consultation results and next steps
Around 5,000 people took part in a consultation on the proposals during summer 2025, with over 60 percent of respondents supporting 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.
The delay means the scheme’s future remains uncertain, with no new construction timeline confirmed beyond the 2027 consultation date.
