Westminster Council unveils £10 million plan to tackle Piccadilly Circus jams

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."