Mortimer and Wigmore Streets change to two-way traffic on last Sunday of February

Mortimer Street and Wigmore Street will be closed to all vehicle traffic from 8am on Thursday 20 to 12noon Sunday 23 February to convert the one-way traffic direction to two-way working, says Westminster Council.

During the four-day closure, works will be done to connect the new traffic signals and paint new road markings.

“The projects aim to deliver a simplified road network, rebalancing road space and traffic signal timing for the benefit of pedestrians while maintaining appropriate traffic capacity and discouraging high speeds,” claims Westminster Council.

The works are one of the few aspects of Westminster Council’s now abandoned Oxford Street Programme to be carried through to completion.

During the closure — which affects part of Mortimer Street and Great Titchfield Street in Fitzrovia, and Wigmore Street, Cavendish Place and the western and northern arms of Cavendish Square in Marylebone — traffic diversions will be clearly indicated.

Pavements will remain open and pedestrian access to all properties will be maintained at all times, says Westminster Council.

Once roads reopen after midday on Sunday 23 February, the following changes will have been implemented:

• Mortimer Street will be two-way between Regent Street and Great Titchfield Street;
• Great Titchfield Street will become one-way from south to north between Mortimer Street and Margaret Street;
• Wigmore Street and Cavendish Place will operate two-way traffic between Wimpole Street and Regent Street;
• Cavendish Square (west side) will be one-way from north to south.

Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians should be aware that the carriageway with two-way working implemented is very narrow between Regent Street and Great Titchfield Street with barely enough room for large vehicles to pass in both directions at the same time.

Loading bays — due to the two-way working — have also been replaced by poorly designed “loading pads” on the footway which means that pedestrian space is cluttered and restricted in places to less than 1m in width.

Westminster Council says a number of traffic marshals will remain at key pedestrian crossing points for a few days to assist with the new traffic layout. Questions regarding the closure should be sent via email: oxfordst@westminster.gov.uk to Westminster Council.

Westminster Council, Mortimer Street / Wigmore Street Two-Way Traffic Notification.

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