Mortimer Street and Wigmore Street open to two-way traffic

Previously one-way sections of Mortimer Street and Wigmore Street opened to two-way traffic at midday on Sunday.

Westminster Council is reminding drivers and cyclists of the changes including a number of banned turns at the junctions of Great Portland Street and Great Titchfield Street. Pedestrians are asked to “look both ways” before crossing the road.

Part of Mortimer Street in Fitzrovia remains restricted to one-way only westbound on a temporary basis.

“Due to works unrelated to the scheme, a lane closure is being implemented by FM Conway in Mortimer Street eastbound between Great Portland Street and Great Titchfield Street. Eastbound traffic will be diverted,” says Westminster Council.

This was the source of some confusion when Mortimer Street opened as drivers and cyclists were met with conflicting direction signs — a “no right turn” and a diversion sign also pointing right.

The following changes have now been implemented:

• Wigmore Street, Cavendish Square (north side) and Cavendish Place will operate two-way traffic between Wimpole Street and Regent Street;
• Mortimer Street will be two-way between Regent Street and Great Titchfield Street;
• Great Titchfield Street will become one-way from south to north (through the junction with Mortimer Street);
• Cavendish Square (west side) will be one-way from north to south;
• Revisions to vehicle restrictions on those junctions to facilitate ease of traffic with the new arrangements.

A number of traffic marshals will remain at key pedestrian crossing points along Wigmore Street and Mortimer Street until the 9 March to assist pedestrians with the new traffic layout, says Westminster Council.

The change to two-way traffic is one of the rare aspects of Westminster Council’s now abandoned Oxford Street Programme to be carried through to completion.

“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.

Westminster Council: Mortimer Street and Wigmore Street Two-Way Traffic.

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