£28 million project to clear buses and cars from the Strand

A 200-metre stretch of the Strand could be closed to traffic
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A 200-metre stretch of the Strand could be closed to traffic under ambitious plans to clean up the air on one of central London’s most congested and polluted streets.

A public consultation on the £28 million pedestrianisation proposal was launched today and work on the scheme could potentially start early next year.

Under the plan the Strand would be closed to traffic — apart from a few service vehicles — for 230 metres (754ft) from the junction with Aldwych in the west to the corner of Melbourne Place in the east.

A further segment of the Strand from Melbourne Place to the eastern junction with Aldwych would be shared space with limited access for cars, taxis and vans. The move would allow the creation of a new public plaza with planted areas and lawns around St Mary le Strand Church, pictured above, and in front of King’s College London, the Courtauld Institute of Art and Somerset House.

Aldwych — currently a high-speed gyratory of between three and five lanes — would be become two-way with new pedestrian crossings to make it easier to navigate on foot.

Westminster council said the plan would “transform the Strand Aldwych into a world-class cultural and learning quarter”. Richard Beddoe, the local authority’s cabinet member for planning and place shaping, said: “This historic gateway into the West End is home to some of the capital’s most famous cultural and academic institutions, as well as a major leisure destination in its own right with landmark theatres, hotels and other attractions.

A sketch of what the Strand could look like under the plans

“But the future success of the area is at risk because of traffic, poor air quality and inadequate public spaces. So working with local organisations we’ve developed some fresh ideas for the Strand Aldwych. These concept designs have come together following a great deal of discussion with local groups and we now want to get as much feedback as possible.

“Nothing is set in stone at this stage and we look forward to having constructive discussions as to how we can deliver a world-class scheme that benefits Westminster and London for many years to come.”

The Strand has long been a bottleneck for traffic between the City and West End. The Aldwych Strand area is visited by about 14 million people a year.

The consultation starts today and runs until March 13. It includes a series of public events at the London School of Economics and St Mary le Strand Church between February 7 and March 7. The proposals are on display at King’s College London. More detailed plans are expected to be published in late 2019 when there will be a second round of consultation.