Regent Street Traffic-Free Saturday: Operational Updates

In light of London entering Tier 3 this week, we wanted to inform you that the Traffic-Free Saturday will be going ahead this weekend on 19 December. While, in line with Government guidelines, we do not encourage customers to use non-essential travel, the West End is open to those who wish to come, and the traffic-free street will provide more space and a safer environment for those that are in the district.

Extra safety measures have been put in place across the district, including:

• An extra 100 signs around West End encouraging social distancing alongside the 60 already in place
• An additional 20 sanitisation points above the 30 already in place at key entry points
• Additional enforcement and ambassadors to support crowd management, and handing out face coverings

Westminster City Council is constantly monitoring and reviewing traffic flow around the city to ensure that the streets are clear and accessible for all road users. All are aware of some possible isolated congestion caused by planned road closures as well as protest activity across the city last weekend. Proactive measures for this Saturday include more marshals and signage to direct diverted drivers.

Traffic Management Plans

Ahead of the third and final road closure, please click here to view traffic management map. In addition, to view the staffed traffic provisions map click here.

The area of Regent Street that is to be closed to traffic for the day is the ‘standard’ full closure area i.e. Regent Street between Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus plus the surrounding streets that approach or intersect with the closure area, particularly including parts of the Carnaby Street area.

At the request of Westminster City Council, additional staffed road closure points plus access restrictions have been incorporated as part of the updated Traffic Management Plan to mitigate traffic congestion compounded by Social Distancing Closures (SDCs) in Soho area on December 5th.

The areas subject to traffic management measures are as follows:

• Regent Street (main closure) is closed from 09:30 – 23:00.
• New Burlington Street, Air Street (South) and Little Argyle Street are closed from 06:00 – 23:59.
• Broadwick Street and Noel Street (both between Wardour Street and Berwick Street) are closed from 12:00 – 23:00.
• Wardour Street (South of Old Compton Street) is also closed from 12:00 – 23:00.
• Lexington Street (between Broadwick Street and Beak Street) and Denman Street are closed from 12:00 – 23:00 as part of separate Social Distancing Closures managed through Westminster City Council.

Contact Details
We hope that the above steps will mitigate concerns, however if you have any issues or queries please see contact details below for residents:

Westminster City Council
www.westminster.gov.uk/report-it
0207 641 6000