£40m makeover for London's shopping district

Westminster City Council has announced plans to regenerate Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street with £40 million to make them more pedestrian-friendly.

The council announced the Oxford, Regent and Bond St (ORB) Action Plan yesterday (March 12th) and revealed that pavements will be widened and street "oases" will be created to make shopping more pleasant in the triumvirate.

New lighting along the north side of Oxford Street is also included in the ORB plan, which has been formulated by Westminster Council, Transport for London, the New West End Company and the Mayor of London's office.

Under the scheme, pavements will be widened to provide an extra six feet of room. The intention is to have the work completed by 2012, reports the Evening Standard.

Total pedestrianisation has, however, been ruled out because it would be "totally unworkable", according to Sir Simon Milton, Westminster council leader.

"Our plans make the West End more pedestrian-friendly, while ensuring it retains the vibrancy and excitement which sets it apart from cloned malls not just in this country, but around the world," he added.

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