Piccadilly Circus will be taking a step back in time so that it is more pedestrian-friendly in time for the 2012 London Olympics.
Westminster Council has approved a £14m revamp which will recreate the popular London destination so it is reminiscent to the way it looking in 1963.
Piccadilly Circus is one of the most popular destinations in London
More than a kilometer of guard railings are to be removed as part of the work which will see a central island being built along Piccadilly and Pall Mall as two-way traffic returns to the busy thoroughfares.
Work, due to begin in November, should be completed before January 2012.
As part of the revamp the pelican crossing in Pall Mall by St James’s Square will be replaced with a zebra crossing and reintroduction of two-way streets from Piccadilly Circus along Piccadilly, St James’s Street and Pall Mall is expected to reduce congestion in the area.
The changes will open roads leading to St James’s Park, Horse Guards Parade and Pall Mall which will be in focus during the Olympics as beach volleyball, marathon, triathlon and road cycling events are held in the area.
Atkins, the company that recently re-designed Oxford Circus to introduce a new Japanese style ‘x-crossing’ will be responsible for the works.
Costs are being shared by Transport for London, Westminster Council, the Crown Estate and the popular upmarket department store Fortnum and Mason which has entrances on Piccadilly and Jermyn Street.
Colin Barrow, head of Westminster Council, stated, “In 2012 our capital will capture the world’s attention and our plans to transform Piccadilly Circus and the surrounding area will ensure visitors are as impressed by the city’s streets and all they have to offer, as they are with the sporting talent many will have travelled so far to see.”
