Project to return Baker Street to safer two-way system set to begin on 24 July 2017

The Baker Street Two Way project aims to enhance the area by focusing on pedestrians and cyclists, reducing the dominance of traffic, adding greenery and ensuring the streets are safer and easier to access.

Baker Street and Gloucester Place are set to return to two-way flow by early 2019. Works will start on Monday, July 24, and will be completed in phases in order to mitigate any disruption.

The project is led by Westminster City Council and Transport for London (TfL) and supported by The Portman Estate and Baker Street Quarter Partnership.

The project will benefit residents and all who use the streets:

• The return of two-way flow will make the streets safer by  discouraging high speeds
• The area will be made more pedestrian-friendly by reducing street clutter, widening pavements, improving the quality of the street scape, reducing traffic dominance and improving pedestrian crossings
• For cyclists there will be advanced stop lines at all junctions, new cycle lanes to connect the area with the London Cycle Grid, a safer new road surface and more places to park bicycles
• Drivers will benefit from reduced journey lengths as they will no longer have to follow a long one-way system
• Bus passengers will find their network is made simpler and easier to use with better interchanges between routes and some routes moved fully to Baker Street in order to directly serve commuters

The project is part of Westminster City Council’s commitment to maintain a world-class Westminster.

Cllr Robert Davis MBE DL, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Business, Culture and Heritage at Westminster City Council said:

“No two-ways about it the works to transform Baker Street and Gloucester Place will soon see residents and businesses benefiting from healthier, safer and more welcoming streets.

“The highway improvements will benefit pedestrians, cyclists and motorists and the streetscape will be revamped with more trees and upgraded street lighting making Baker Street and the wider Marylebone neighbourhood a more pleasant place to spend time in.”

Graham Nash, TfL’s Head of Borough Projects and Programmes, said: “Westminster City Council’s project to return Baker Street and Gloucester Place to two-way traffic will make the area a safer and more attractive place for Londoners and visitors.

“The work will cause some disruption, which will change as the project develops, so road users should check before they travel. We will continue to work with Westminster City Council to ensure that the work is delivered in the least disruptive way.”

Penny Alexander, Chief Executive, Baker Street Quarter Partnership, said:  “We are thrilled that this once in a generation opportunity to enhance the area for all working, living and visiting here will now be realised.

“Bringing together all those who care about this area, this true partnership of businesses, residents, landowners and crucially TfL and Westminster City Council will ensure this special part of central London continues to prosper.”

Simon Loomes, Strategic Projects Director, The Portman Estate, said:  “The Baker Street gyratory is the single most damaging factor to Marylebone’s character as a local neighbourhood.

“Its removal will provide immediate benefits and lay the foundations for further improvements to the streetscape.

“Its contribution to ease of movement for pedestrians and cyclists is central to our approach to the area’s sustainability.”

The project fits with the Mayor of London’s long-term vision to help encourage more Londoners to walk and cycle, making London’s streets healthier safer and more welcoming.

Both Baker Street and Gloucester Place will remain open and operate with one-way traffic during the majority of the project although there will be temporary changes, including lane closures and turning restrictions.

Road users are advised to visit tfl.gov.uk/baker-street-roadworks and bakerstreettwoway.co.uk for information.