Westminster Council unveils £10 million plan to tackle Piccadilly Circus jams
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A £10 million plan to free Piccadilly Circus from traffic
jams has been outlined today.
Westminster Council wants to re-introduce two-way traffic around
the central London landmark as part of a seven-scheme, £40
million programme of West End improvements.
The council has put up £20 million towards the schemes and
hopes London mayor Boris Johnson will come up with the other
£20 million.
The council says the one-way system around Piccadilly Circus and
its famous statue of Eros was introduced in the 1960s but is now
holding up traffic and causing "rat running" through narrow nearby
streets.
As well as bringing back two-way traffic, the council wants to
bring in new footpaths and lighting, replace old railings and
introduce new signage at the site once dubbed "the heart of the
British empire".
The seven schemes also include a proposed £18 million revamp
of Leicester Square.
Westminster councillor Colin Barrow said: "These Magnificent Seven
projects will help transform the centre of our capital ahead of
(the London Olympics in) 2012 when the eyes of the world will be
upon us and visitors will rightly expect to be equally impressed
with London's streets, hotels, restaurants, shops and transport as
they are with the world's top sporting talent."
A spokesman for Mr Johnson said today that Westminster Council
was aware that Transport for London's budget was now fully
accounted for.
The spokesman went on: "However, if they (the council) are able to
put together detailed proposals, perhaps alongside funding from
other Government or private sources, then they would be able to
apply for funds available for 'area based schemes' that every
London borough is able to bid for."
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