Westminster City Council and The Crown Estate launch public engagement on the future of Regent Street, Haymarket and Piccadilly Circus

Working in partnership, the council and The Crown Estate have today published exciting proposals, including making the south side of Piccadilly Circus and Regent Street St James’s traffic-free, creating and improving over 35,000 square metres of public space for people. Along with a number of other proposed changes, these plans will greatly enhance the experience for the residents, workers and millions of visitors to this iconic West End destination, support local businesses and significantly improving traffic flow in the heart of central London.

The draft masterplan released today reimagines architect John Nash's famous original ambition – set out 200 years ago – to connect St. James’s Park to Regent’s Park, by creating a more accessible and inclusive new green link through the heart of the West End, and making it easier for people to walk to and from each destination. Regent Street alone draws over 57,000 visitors daily, but faces significant issues such as crowded pavements, limited places to rest, alongside the climate impacts of increasing the likelihood of extreme heat and flooding.  These challenges present a significant threat to the future resilience of Regent Street and the surrounding area. The council and The Crown Estate want to proactively respond to these issues together, so the area remains a vibrant, welcoming and thriving destination for the millions who use it each year and is a place where people and nature can thrive, while significantly contributing to the future economic success of both the London and UK economies.

Today’s announcement is a key milestone in the development of proposals for Regent Street, Haymarket and Piccadilly Circus and will feed into the next stage of urban design work.  The future implementation of the proposals – along with the ways in which they are funded – will be agreed by the Council and The Crown Estate in 2026.  Once complete, it will be the most significant transformation of Regent Street, Haymarket and Piccadilly Circus in over a century.

Councillor Geoff Barraclough, Cabinet Member for Planning & Economic Development at Westminster City Council, said: “By removing traffic from Regent Street St James’s and expanding pedestrian space at Piccadilly Circus, we’re creating a new network of public spaces that will serve Londoners for generations. This is a rare opportunity to reimagine the heart of the West End as a greener, more welcoming and accessible place that works better for residents, visitors and local businesses alike.

“We’re urging everyone who lives in, works in or visits the area to take part in this engagement. Your views will help shape a once-in-a-generation transformation that ensures Westminster remains a world-class destination – and a great place to live and work – long into the future.”

Kristy Lansdown, Managing Director – Development at The Crown Estate, said: “The nature of cities is changing, with new challenges and opportunities emerging every year. Like other global cities, we are collectively seeking opportunities in London to adapt our places and spaces to ensure they are fit for the future. We now have a unique chance to work in partnership with Westminster City Council to revitalise the heart of the West End as a greener, more inclusive and accessible destination, ensuring London remains competitive on the world’s stage.

“We need to ensure the West End’s diverse ecosystem continues to thrive, with world-class public spaces that support business, talent and investment. This will allow us to maintain the area’s status as the UK’s cultural and entertainment capital, and as a driver of national growth.”

Information on how to provide feedback on the proposals can be found at Have Your Say Today - The Future Of Regent Street, Haymarket And Piccadilly Circus Public Realm - Commonplace. More information can be found at [https://futureofregentstreet.commonplace.is/].