Pedestrian Priority Streets Programme
The City of London Corporation is improving the comfort and safety of people walking in the Square Mile. To make more space for people walking and reduce crowding, we need to restrict access for motorised traffic on some streets in order to make pavements wider.
In summer 2020, we began providing more space for pedestrians to enable social distancing. These temporary traffic changes have now been made permanent and we are in the process of undertaking public realm enhancement works to complement the traffic changes.
Permanent measures
King William Street
More details on the transformational scheme on King William Street can be found on the King William Street Pedestrian Priority webpage.
Cheapside (east of Bread Street)
- Further enhancement of the temporary public realm (i.e. seating and greenery).
Threadneedle Street and Old Broad Street (south)
- Retaining the one-way direction for motorised traffic and two-way direction for cycling.
- Widening the footway for people walking on one side of the street.
Chancery Lane - Now Complete
Restricting vehicles from travelling northbound above the junction with Carey Street between 7am and 7pm, Monday to Friday, except taxis and vehicles requiring access to properties, parking or loading facilities in Chancery Lane. The experimental traffic order became permanent on 16 August 2024.
King Street - Now Complete
- Retaining the one-way direction northbound for motorised traffic and two-way direction for cycling.
- Widening the footway for people walking on both sides of the street at various locations.
Experimental traffic measures
Old Jewry
Should you wish to comment on the trial, please complete the Old Jewry consultation questionnaire.
On 5 July, we reopened Old Jewry to allow all motorised traffic to travel southbound between Gresham Street and Poultry/Cheapside, with two-way movement retained for cyclists. The left turn at the junction with Poultry is restricted to taxis and people cycling only.
We are undertaking this work as a traffic experiment to improve access for motorised traffic from north to the south in the Cheapside/Guildhall area. The experiment will run for a maximum period of 18 months and we will monitor the effects of the experiment on local traffic on Old Jewry and surrounding streets, as well as assess the impact on people walking and cycling.
Cheapside (east of Bread Street)
Since 6 November 2023, taxis have been permitted to drive through the point restriction on Cheapside in both directions.
We are undertaking this work as a traffic experiment to improve access and the availability of taxis in the Cheapside area. The experiment will run for a maximum period of 18 months and we will monitor the effects of the experiment for taxis on Cheapside.
Should you wish to comment on the trial, please complete the Cheapside consultation questionnaire.
- 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