Proposals

The Westminster Cycling Strategy provides details on the range of projects that we will be developing over the coming years to encourage more people to take up cycling, to improve facilities for existing cyclists and to improve safety.  

The Cycling Movement Strategy Phase 3 permanent scheme for Portland Place is one of many schemes that has been prioritised for implementation, subject to more detailed design work and consultation.

Westminster City Council is working closely with Howard de Walden Estate to ensure proposals align with their longer term vision for the public realm of Portland Place. You can read more about their project here: 

https://www.hdwe.co.uk/our-properties/projects/item/1935-portland-place 

Following a review of the existing temporary scheme, a permanent scheme has been developed which formalises the temporary scheme with a number of improvements proposed that further improve cyclist safety.

We would like to understand the views of the public on these proposals before a decision is taken on implementing the scheme.

In November and December 2021 Westminster consulted on the ‘Cycling Movement Strategy’ temporary cycle schemes. The consultation sought stakeholder views on retaining the 11 temporary cycle schemes installed across the City of Westminster as part of the City Council’s Covid response. The consultation received a great level of support in retaining the temporary cycle lanes whilst we develop proposals to create permanent facilities.  

We are now in the process of developing permanent proposals for the 11 cycle schemes. 

The proposals include: 

• Segregated cycle lanes on Portland Place and Park Crescent (east) to provide a protected route for cyclists.  Segregation is achieved using floated parking arrangements 
• Mandatory cycle lanes on Portland Place and Park Crescent (east) where segregation cannot be achieved to provide a clear route for cyclists 
• Advanced Stop Line on Park Crescent (west) at the junction with Marylebone Road to enable cyclists to position themselves ahead of general traffic
• Cycle Symbols on Park Crescent (west) to highlight the presence of cyclists 
• A new pedestrian and cycle crossing on Park Crescent to the west of the junction with Portland Place to provide a safe route across Park Crescent for pedestrians and also to give northbound cyclists priority at the junction
• Two-stage right turn facilities for cyclists at existing signal junctions (Devonshire Street, Weymouth Street and New Cavendish Street) to improve safety for cyclists turning off Portland Place 
• Improved pedestrian facilities at junctions with Weymouth Street and New Cavendish Street 
• Floating bus stop arrangement for existing northbound bus stop to provide a continuous cycle lane past the bus stop and additional space for passengers with wide pedestrian islands and zebra crossings 
• New informal crossing to the south of the junction with Duchess Street to provide a crossing point on Portland Place for the east-west pedestrian route 
• Raised tables at junctions with Duchess Street (east and west) and Weymouth Street (east) 
• Rationalised parking and loading provision.  There will be no net loss of parking or loading.