Return of the Princes Circus fountain marks conclusion of transformative project
Camden Council has recently reinstalled the fully conserved and original Grade II listed Princes Circus fountain following the transformation of the area – the final section of the West End Project to be opened to the public.
Princes Circus sits at the junction of High Holborn, Shaftesbury Avenue and New Oxford Street and is a key walking and cycling route between Covent Garden and the British Museum in Bloomsbury.
This impressively conserved fountain now sits perfectly as a focal point in Princes Circus, an improved and inviting pedestrian route between Covent Garden and the British Museum.
The completed reimagining of this location has thoroughly transformed this area. Once again, we changed road space into usable and enjoyable green space for everyone.
The £40 million West End Project is a Camden transformation scheme around Tottenham Court Road, Gower Street and Princes Circus. The scheme has delivered real change by responding to key local issues including traffic congestion, road safety, narrow pavements, poor air quality and a lack of green space.
The fountain was originally installed in 1879 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s 60th year on the throne, before being moved in 2003 as part of a previous development.
Councillor Harrison continued:
“The West End Project, the largest transformational scheme ever to take place in the borough, is providing a range of tangible benefits for those who live, work and commute through the area.
“We have improved the biodiversity and environment, reduced motor vehicle congestion, as well as attracting more people to enjoy the area and its local businesses, to highlight just a few of the many achievements.
“However, we are not resting on our laurels and have recently shared our latest sketch ideas for the transformational Holborn Liveable Neighbourhood, working in partnership with Transport for London.
“I would like to thank everyone who has shared their feedback so far on our ideas to make Holborn a place for people, with safer streets for pedestrians and people cycling, more trees and plants and cleaner air.
“All your comments have helped to shape a new set of sketches, which you can now explore and comment on online on our commonplace website.
“This conversation will run until Sunday 1 March, so there is still time to provide your feedback, ideas and thoughts and we will continue to improve and develop our plans based on this ahead of a more detailed full public consultation scheduled for Autumn 2026.”
For more information on the West End Project, you can visit the website: www.camden.gov.uk/westendproject
The West End Project in facts and figures
Reducing congestion across the area by introducing two-way roads
- Up to a 71% reduction in traffic on Tottenham Court Road during restricted hours.
- Up to a 41% reduction in traffic on Tottenham Court Road out of the restricted hours.
- Up to a 46% reduction in traffic on Gower Street.
Making bus journeys more efficient with bus and cycle only areas on Tottenham Court Road
- Bus routes 24, 29, 73 and 390 are all now quicker.
Helping cyclists take advantage of the new cycling facilities
- Around 2.6km of new cycle lanes including segregated cycle lanes on Gower/Bloomsbury Street.
- Percy Street and Stephen Street saw an average of 3133 cycling journeys on a weekday.
- Warren Street Santander Cycle dock saw its highest ever number of loans with 3028 in July 2021.
Emergency Services response times remain unaffected by the project
- London Fire Brigade have not noticed any negative impact, and their attendance times have got 8% quicker from Euston Fire Station.
Improving air quality
- Air quality is better now than in 2018. When comparing the bias-adjusted annual means at each site, 2021 concentrations are lower, and therefore improved. In 2018, 17 of 18 sites were above the Air quality objectives levels whereas in 2021, only 5 of 19 sites were above the objectives levels which shows significant improved annual mean concentrations.
Attracting more people to enjoy the area and its local businesses
- Tottenham Court Road saw 1million footfall for a week for the first time in Fitzrovia ever in the summer after our works completed in 2019.
- New seating has been added along on Tottenham Court Road to relax and pause.
- New wider pavements across the area creating more room to move easily.
Improving biodiversity and the environment
- 70 new trees including mature trees.
- 3 new public spaces (Princes Circus, Windmill Square and St Giles Square).
- 1 new park at Alfred Place.
- 1 new rejuvenated park at Whitfield Gardens.
- 3 new pocket parks on Tottenham Court Road and 1 on Huntley Street.
Showing the neighbourhood at its best
- Beautiful York stone paving added on Gower/Bloomsbury Street.
- Stunning new granite paving along Tottenham Court Road including large sections widened.
Caring for local heritage. Restoration of the:
- Grade II listed lamp posts restored and reinstalled.
- Grade II listed war memorial restored and added with an improved surrounding.
- Memorial in Whitfield Garden restored and reinstated.
- Fitzrovia Mural restored.
- Grade II listed fountain, restored and reinstalled as an ornamental centre piece.