Dear Westminster

Thank you for consulting us about these proposals. I am responding on behalf of Westminster Cycling Campaign, the local group of the London Cycling Campaign. I have also posted these comments on your survey web site.

Great Chapel Street is important for cycling because it is on the opposite side of Oxford Street to Newman Street, into which the proposed southbound cycle route along Cleveland Street naturally flows. At the south end of Great Chapel Street, cyclists are able to use a passage that links to Carlisle Street and Soho Square.

If this street is not available for southbound cycling, the nearest parallel streets are Wardour Street and Dean Street. Wardour Street is northbound-only. Although there have been proposals for southbound cycling, these are unlikely to be implemented any time soon. And there is likely to be a heavy pedestrian footfall in Dean Street.

Assuming that they apply only to motor vehicles, we support these restrictions to vehicles on Great Chapel Street, Dean Street and Fareham Street. We have already seen the huge increase of footfall due to the Elizabeth line opening - the area needs to be safe for people walking, wheeling or cycling on these narrow streets. Great Chapel Street and the top of Hollen Street are very narrow with pavements less than one metre wide and centuries-old original arched vaults just beneath the surface making them unsuitable for motor vehicles. On the streets marked green on the council’s map, there is no differentiation between footway and carriageway, so this would be very dangerous if reopened to motor traffic, particularly to those with disabilities, the elderly or young children.

We support restricting motor vehicles in Soho’s narrow historic streets in general, as people should have priority over motor traffic in this type of neighbourhood. We support removing through traffic from Soho in general, increasing streets with timed traffic restrictions, and reducing parking space in favour of other more sustainable uses like cycle parking, sustainable drainage, seating etc.

Some comments on the zones on the map:

·     Orange area - we support a full restriction of motor vehicles for safe walking, wheeling and cycling.

·     Green area - we support a full restriction of motor vehicles for safe walking, wheeling and cycling.

·     Purple area – we support partial restriction with timed vehicle access, as it is a wider street.

We would also like to see greenery, seating and cycle parking added where space allows.

We hope that other respondents will support restricting motor traffic and we look forward to further progress with the scheme.

Yours sincerely,

Colin Wing.