High Holborn is changing to two-way traffic this October
Another milestone in the West End Project’s programme will soon be reached, when High Holborn, between Shaftesbury Avenue and Museum Street, becomes two-way for vehicles on Friday 9 October.
This change forms part of the biggest council-led public realm and transport scheme the borough has ever seen. The West End Project is addressing traffic congestion, road safety, poor air quality and the fact that this area has previously had less than the Camden average of public open space.
This transformation means that High Holborn will become two way to traffic, between Shaftesbury Avenue and Museum Street, this is the next step in the process to improving journey times and reducing congestion across the wider Tottenham Court Road area.
By the end of 2020, Tottenham Court Road will also have seen the delivery of the rejuvenated local green space at Whitfield Gardens and the restoration of the much-loved Fitzrovia Mural.
Once the project is fully completed in 2021 Gower Street and Bloomsbury Street will also be two way to traffic with sections of both the north and southbound lanes on Tottenham Court Road restricted to buses and cyclists only between 8am and 7pm Monday to Saturday.
“The implementation of two-way traffic on this section of High Holborn will mark another step towards delivering this important transformational project.
“We have also added brand new safer pedestrian crossings making it easier for pedestrians to navigate the area. This is an important step in creating a new public space at Princes Circus, which will be safer and more enjoyable for pedestrians, cyclists and road users.
“Crucially I would like to remind pedestrians the important need to now look both ways when crossing High Holborn between Shaftesbury Avenue and Museum Street following these changes and that the new pedestrian crossings are the safest way to cross the road!”
Tony Dougal at Eurovia Contracting, said: “Our teams are delighted to be delivering such a transformational project on behalf of the Borough.
“The safety and environmental improvements are already making a real difference on the ground and we look forward to continuing to work alongside our partners; London Borough of Camden and Norman Rourke Pryme to deliver final completion of the West End Project in early 2021.”
Sam Monck, Head of Investment Delivery Planning at Transport for London, said: “As London recovers from the pandemic, improving road safety, congestion and air quality are all now more important than ever.
“By creating safer, greener and more attractive streets, the West End Project will transform the area for locals and visitors. As always, but especially so when the road network is changing, we’d advise everyone to check before they travel and make sure they’re looking both ways when crossing the road.”
There may be some short-term localised disruption whilst these changes are being implemented and commuters and motorists are advised to check online at www.tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey before they travel.
Should there be a need to postpone these changes due to circumstances out of the council’s control, such as adverse weather, it will communicate this via the project website. www.camden.gov.uk/westendproject
A map showing how vehicles can travel following these changes is available on our website: www.camden.gov.uk/westendproject
Advice for pedestrians
Please take care when crossing High Holborn and remember to now look both ways for traffic. There are a number of pedestrian crossings along the road, which we would encourage you to use, and we will have stewards on the street to remind people of the change for the first few days.
Advice for cyclists
The road layout will have changed so please take extra care, take note of all signs and watch for pedestrians and drivers who may not yet be used to two-way traffic.
Any cyclists heading north up Shaftesbury Avenue who wish to go east should turn right onto High Holborn to continue their journey.
Cyclists will be able to use High Holborn in both ways between Shaftesbury Avenue and Museum Street.
TFL have quieter cycle routes on their website, which includes a nearby link from the south – to explore these visit https://tfl.gov.uk/maps/cycle
Resurfacing work will still be taking place in the Princes Circus area so delays should be expected until this is completed at the end of October. You can see maps of how the road layouts are changing for the project on our website.
Advice for drivers
The road layout will have changed so please take extra care, take note of all signs and watch for pedestrians who may not yet be used to two-way traffic.
Any traffic heading north up Shaftesbury Avenue who wish to go east should turn right onto High Holborn to continue their journey.
Drivers will be able to use High Holborn in both ways between Shaftesbury Avenue and Museum Street.
Resurfacing work will still be taking place in the Princes Circus area so delays should be expected until this is completed at the end of October. You can see maps of how the road layouts are changing for the project on our website.