Tonight:
4°c
Ken's £18m plan for Parliament Square is scrapped
Katharine Barney, Evening Standard6 Aug 2008
Plans to pedestrianise Parliament Square have been scrapped by the Mayor.
Boris Johnson had previously said he would put his predecessor's proposals on hold to study the impact on motorists. But today he announced he will cancel the £18 million plans, claiming the move would cost too much, destroy green space and cause congestion.
Transport for London advised the Mayor that the required pedestrianisation would have a significant negative impact on traffic flow, not only in Westminster but also in central London.
Mr Johnson said: "There is absolutely no sense in Londoners paying £18 million from their already stretched transport budget in order to reduce capacity on London's roads.
"The last mayor was famed for his love of blocking the traffic but this scheme was a step too far. We are committed to ambitious urban realm projects, but not this one." However, the decision sparked anger from environmentalists who branded it an "idiotic" decision. Green Party London Assembly Member Jenny Jones said: "The pedestrianisation of Parliament Square was a key decision and an important move to make London more beautiful and tourist friendly. This is a disastrous and idiotic decision."
Ms Jones also said she feared for similar projects on Victoria Embankment and Tottenham Hale which had been agreed under Ken Livingstone.
They were all part of the former mayor's 100 public spaces programme pushed aside by Mr Johnson, The Mayor says he is committed to improving open spaces but will do so by following his own strategy and not that of his predecessor. He has already absorbed the programme's sponsor design organisation Design for London-into the London Development Agency.
Now Mr Livingstone has added his comments to the row and lambasted Mr Johnson for cost cutting and hypocrisy.
Speaking to Building Design magazine, he said: "This is an administration that is basically cost-cutting. Boris doesn't want to end up in upsetting the motorists and the AA. It should be an amazing world square, not a squalid traffic roundabout."
But a spokesman for Mr Johnson said he was determined to improve public areas but would do so in a realistic and achievable time frame.
He said: "The Mayor is committed to delivering important public realm improvements but the 100 public spaces programme was highly aspirational with only five schemes completed after eight years and 13 more proposed. In due course the Mayor will announce his own strategy for public space improvements."
Reader views (41)
People seem to get that there are a lot of people travelling by bus. Trafalager square has increased journey times to the extent that it is quicker to get off early and walk. There is also the climate change effect of having all these buses taking longer adding to the pollution in central London. I do not see how someone can claim that traffic is not going to be blocked if the north and west sides are blocked. It also suggested that the grass was to be replaced with stone - covered in black blos of chewing gum.
- Dave, London, 11/08/2008 11:47
Report abuse
Boris has learning difficulties.
- Mr S.Stan, Paris,USA, 10/08/2008 18:50
Report abuse
Dr Porter: "It's not surprising that the Boris supporters haven't even bothered to check their facts. Parliament Square would not have been blocked, why bother to comment on a story you haven't read properly?" You obviously didn't check your facts either, otherwise you would've mentioned this in your first post without being prompted by someone else equally as misguided.
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster, 09/08/2008 12:44
Report abuse
Collielad please try getting to London on public transport with the overcrowding. Hence use of the car. At least you can listen to yr CDs
- Charlie Baroudi, twickenham, 08/08/2008 08:51
Report abuse
To 'Collielad, Epping';
Ken was voted out for his policies - it's just that many people happened to think he was a slimy, smug pillock as well.
- Robert Cunningham, Harrow, London, UK, 07/08/2008 21:55
Report abuse
While spending billions of pounds on Crossrail, why not build a road tunnel as well, while all the equipment is there? Might ease some of London's congestion problems. I wonder if all those that hate the private car, would go along with a taxi ban as well? It is all right claiming the green moral high ground, by saying 'I do not own a car' then jump into a taxi !
- Terry Hudson, Herne Bay, Kent, 07/08/2008 21:15
Report abuse
No, Ken was NOT voted out because of his policies, most wanted Labour to get a bloody nose in the election and Ken was in the cross-hairs. He lost, London lost.
Just one question. Why does anyone need to drive a private car into the centre of London? Can someone answer that please. Or does everyone now class themselves as disabled?
If most of the 'richer' users of the roads have any sense they would bully the government into a strategic transport policy that actually worked for London, instead of being mentally lazy, thus giving up, and jumping in the driving seat of their car, to be stuck in more traffic, but I suppose the aircon and satnav is some comfort....
Remember - being tight with money keeps the rich richer... think about it.
- Collielad, Epping, 07/08/2008 15:32
Report abuse
I was born in London and I have seen Ken in the last few years turn London into a large theme park for tourists with no concern for the inconvenience to the people who live and work here ( people on buses also get stuck in traffic Ken ) He has caused far more congestion and pollution with the increase in schemes to slow down traffic and created a special pollution free zone for the rich in inner London boroughs ( very NL)
Trafalgar Square now looks as though its a continuous car boot sale every weekend covered with trucks and tents - what was the point of all that disruption and now there is far more congestion /pollution than there ever was.
Boris is taking a far more balanced approach and is saving money because lets face it Ken has been fleecing us for years ( check your council tax bills if you dont believe me )
- Barbara, london UK, 07/08/2008 13:11
Report abuse
Hmm. I can appreciate the comments about Parliament Square not being very pedestrian or tourist friendly, and I think more needs to be done about that.
But I think it's a good decision for Boris to resist total pedestrianisation of Parliament Square.
The pedestrianisation of Trafalgar Square caused a traffic disaster- it's now quicker to walk than take a bus in that area.
On balance, a good decision I think.
- Robert Cunningham, Harrow, London, UK, 07/08/2008 11:57
Report abuse
Boris is making very sensible decisions.
- Peter, London, 07/08/2008 09:23
Report abuse
Good old 'Green' Johnson. What a joke this is inevitably turning out to be. Wonder if he'll grow a spine and stop pandering to his cavier 4 x 4 chums. Fat chance.
- Charlie, London, 07/08/2008 08:42
Report abuse
Yet another brilliant decision by Boris; why is this man not already Prime Minister?
- Mikko Takala, Drumnadrochit, Scotland, 07/08/2008 05:49
Report abuse
Jenny Jones was recently knocked off her bicycle. She was very lucky not to have been seriously injured or even killed because she was not wearing a helmet, and refuses to do so. Perhaps she should be more careful about describing other peoples decisions as being "idiotic and disastrous".
- Jeff, Hobart, Australia, 07/08/2008 03:26
Report abuse
Keep up the good Boris. We voted you as mayor to represent all Londoners and not to pander to some of these eco-terrorists out there who would like nothing better than to have everyone on horse and cart. We live in a capital city of 8 million people plus who need to work, play, move around and get fed and a balance has to be applied to look after us all. With our ex mayor KEN KON he failed to represent all Londoners and that's why we showed him the door.
- Mr S.Port, London, 06/08/2008 23:22
Report abuse
St, London I agree with you totally.
Can't wait to get back now. Bye Ken miss you NOT
- Andre, Hamilton New Zealand, 06/08/2008 23:19
Report abuse
This is a real shame, a chance to turn what's basically a mucky roundabout into a grand square, bedecked with statues of modern icons (it is at the moment, it's just that nobody really notices).
But no, for the sake of some people in cars having to find another way round we forgo the chance to create a spectacular space.
Boris does seem to be coming out as a real spoilsport.
- Dave, London, 06/08/2008 22:27
Report abuse
Well done Boris and well said Anthony! Oh god forbid another hare-brained, money wasting scheme is scrapped. The brilliant this is it is yet another slap in the face for the lunatic Ken Livingatone. Ken and his authoritarian apparatchiks were obsessed with causing as much congestion and traffic in London as possible. Rubbish I hear you say?
-Bendy buses which block box junctions and road junctions
-TfL concreting in bus stops so buses have to stop in the middle of the road
-Pedestrianising Trafalgar Square which now causes traffic jams all around Charing Cross Road/Picaddily etc
- Daniel Howard, London,UK, 06/08/2008 22:10
Report abuse
Well Boris has decided that Parliament Square will remain a Death-Trap for all those pedestrians and cyclists who have to negotiate nothing more than a motorway roundabout. (Perhaps he is still hankering for another cyclists top job?)
The solution was so simple and that was to replace the planned scheme with a closure of the west and possibly north sides and introduce two-way working to the East and South sides with pavements widened.
This decision shows how wrong Boris is as a mayor of a great city for he fails to understand a mayor is meant to improve the lives of the those he rules.
As for saving money how much will it cost to maintain the road space that will remain road in the decades to come?
Other contributors think Boris is saving money when in reality he might be spending more than this scheme would have cost!
Finally, how many deaths and injures will result from this decision are any records for road accidents in the square available?
Come 2012 it will stand as a monument to how much Boris has failed as a mayor as saving money leaves you with nothing to show when an election comes, except a traffic clogged roundabout where visitors to the Olympic games will still take their lives in their hands just for a photo of St Stephens Clocktower and Westminster Abbey.
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, 06/08/2008 21:56
Report abuse
The pedestrianisation of Trafalgar Square was one of the best things to happen in London in years and a repeat in Parliament Square would have ideal (actually the whole of Whitehall would have been better.) Go to Vienna to see how civilised cities manage these things.
- Dr Paul Luton, London, 06/08/2008 21:46
Report abuse
Well done Boris, Livingstone was much to free with tax payers money. I only wish Boris could cut back on that other farce the Olympic Games.
- Rosieinlondon, england uk, 06/08/2008 21:19
Report abuse
Heaven forbid a mayor elected to reduce wasteful spending to protect the taxpayer actually carries out his manifesto pledge!
- Antony, West London, UK, 06/08/2008 15:16
Report abuse
It's not surprising that the Boris supporters haven't even bothered to check their facts. Parliament Square would not have been blocked, why bother to comment on a story you haven't read properly?
This is a blight on a beautiful square, a policy that flies in the face of common sense and environmentally sound policies. What next, a motorway through Hyde Park?
- Dr Susan Porter, London, 06/08/2008 15:13
Report abuse
Jenny Jones - please get a life.
The pedestrianisation of Trafalgar Square was a disaster and caused lots of congestion. Boris is right to scrap the Parliament scheme that will make life worse for the majority.
Besides £18m could do a lot to help hard-pressed London families in the current economic climate.
- Jools, London, 06/08/2008 14:45
Report abuse
Those who never visit central London or Parliament Square perhaps aren't aware of the acute embarrassment of seeing the throngs of tourists who have arrived to see London's sights, believing it to be a 'world class' *snigger* city. They tramp along the 2 metre wide pavement between the Abbey and 'the roundabout', taxis whipping by their elbows at 35 mph, bewildered that this is actually somewhere where tourists might be encouraged to walk.
- Carl, Inner London (the place which voted for Ken), 06/08/2008 14:11
Report abuse
Who is this Dr Susan Porter who cannot resist grabbing any opportunity to snipe at Boris? And she voted for him? Pull the other one, Doc - we know that old trick of trying to make people doubt their own wisdom. Most of those who voted for Boris are now doubly sure they made the right choice.
- Howard, Essex, 06/08/2008 14:01
Report abuse
This is a shockingly misguided decision. Parliament Square is a World Heritage Site. The current situation is an utter embarrassment, a bit like Trafalgar Sq was before the North Road was reconfigured for the enjoyment of the pedestrian. Most people who have commented on here have obviously have not read the Parliament Sq proposal which was, like Trafalgar Sq, to make only one side a pedestrian friendly place thus the hysteria over traffic is well just hysterical. In a dense urban area (saving the countryside from sprawl) we must give people more space it is imperative for the psychological wellbeing of humans as well as the obvious physical benefits. We go on about the horror of violence and anti-social behaviour as well people no longer socialising, well instead of turning London into a police state, if the Mayor had bothered to read any Urban literature then he would see that how we use space at a more human level is key. If he cant do this at a World Heritage site then there is absolutely no hope for the rest of London. This obsession over cost-cutting in such a vital entity as London is leading us to literally scrape away at the muscle and bone.
- B Marsden, Islington, 06/08/2008 14:01
Report abuse
"London was leading the way in Europe for brave, progressive policies that reduced Londoners' reliance on the motorcar"
And you thought voting for Boris would continue any kind of progressiveness in our city?
I could cry every day when I read the inane comments from these right wing fools. They're like throwbacks from the Victorian era.
- Andy, London, 06/08/2008 13:46
Report abuse
Thank goodness; the last thing we want Parliament Square to become is a tourist-infested; beggar and juggler-packed; burger-van covered; picnic site for cagoule-wearing fat Dutch girls to dump three tonnes of fast-food litter in every day. Now just chuck that "anti-war" tramp (who pays his benefits, I wonder ?) out and all will be well.
- Charles, London, UK, 06/08/2008 13:41
Report abuse
Livingstone just hated drivers. £18 million for what is nothing more than a road block, too right it should be cancelled.
Keep going Boris in reversing mad Ken's on personal agendas.
- David W, Plumstead, 06/08/2008 13:31
Report abuse
We should not call it Parliament Square - it should be Parliament Gyratory. This is one of the biggest assets London has and it would be great to be able to take a photo with Parliament or Big Ben in the background (or those statues of famous people). It would also reduce the traffic and pollution in central London. Shame on you Boris for not taking a long-term view.
- Didi, Londo, UK, 06/08/2008 13:25
Report abuse
"This is an administration that is basically cost-cutting."
Ken, that's why we voted you out: you just wasted our money. And so contemptuous of us taxpayers that you milked for eight years were you, that you even made sure your closest cronies received a multi-million pound payout when you were rightly booted out of office.
Ken should be surcharged for the waste of his administration.
- Eric Murphy, London, UK, 06/08/2008 13:20
Report abuse
Dr. Porter how could a huge concreted space be described as "a green lung"? Also have you ever driven, ridden or been on a bus along the embankment? It is one of the busies thoroughfares in London and by blocking it in the middle with this idea the entire of central London would have been thrown into chaos.
Another sensible decision from Boris the ex-buffoon.
- Mark, London, UK, 06/08/2008 13:18
Report abuse
Another step back for London. Clearly Boris thinks true Londoners can only be motorists and not pedestrians. Working every day around Parliament Square I can see what an ugly, no-go area it is. Rather than turning this into another attack on Livingstone, let's as Londoners look at this and realise that it does not of us any favours and makes us once again look like a backwards place. Why can't we make our spaces look good for everyone instead of clearing the way for taxis to ferry the rich around?
- Michael Contaldo, Edgware, London, 06/08/2008 13:08
Report abuse
Livingstone has some nerve criticising the scrapping of this ludicrous, expensive and infeasible scheme and calling it 'cost cutting'. What's wrong with saving tax payers money? Economic prudence was never his strong point, quite the opposite as his comments show. And this a few days after it emerged that he changed the rules to give his aides £1.6m in pay offs just before he was kicked out. What a hypocrite. Good riddance.
- Mike Stern, london, 06/08/2008 13:06
Report abuse
Great News for common sense! So if Boris closed off the Parliament Square to traffic where would all the buses go, tourist coaches, delivery vans taxes and cars? and lets not forget the extra congestion it would cause with more fumes and of course the slowing down of emergency vehicles! Ken has gone and so has another of his crazy ideas.
- Robert, london, 06/08/2008 12:54
Report abuse
Never a day goes by without some interfering comment by ex-Mayor Livingstone, who was shown quite clearly what Londoners thought of his time in office and half-baked proposals at clogging up London's traffic when they kicked him out in May. Anybody who thinks London would be a better place by making car travel as difficult as possible is off their rocker. The scheme to pedestrianise Parliament Square would have made traffic flow far worse- bad not just for the motorist but for the passenger on a bus trying to get from A to B on roads unnecessarily clogged up due to daft, cuddly-feely schemes favoured by the ex-Mayor.
- Richard, London, UK, 06/08/2008 12:03
Report abuse
This is a disaster.
What we've seen from the mayor, for whom I voted, since his election is a series of capitulations to the motoring lobby. London was leading the way in Europe for brave, progressive policies that reduced Londoners' reliance on the motorcar. Parliament Square is traffic-choked, polluted and noisy, an unpleasant distraction to a beautiful square. The plans would have provided a green lung for Londoners and an oasis of calm and quiet in congested , polluted streets. This is a major step backwards for London, very disappointing.
- Dr Susan Porter, London, 06/08/2008 11:50
Report abuse
How dare the Mayor cancel yet another one of Ken's schemes. What right does he have....apart from a democratic mandate. If the people of London had wanted more congestion they would have voted for Ken or the Greens. They didn't.
- M Spanner, Ilford, 06/08/2008 11:41
Report abuse
What on earth is Red Ken squealing on about?
If Mr Livingstone was Mayor of Venice, he would probably want to pave that over, as well as killing all the pigeons in St Mark's Square.
Livingstone didn't have a clue, he was never a real Londoner, he was in my mind, an enemy of London.
There was an old episode of Only Fools and Horses, where Rodney gets married and then returns to Del Boy's flat, asking what's for dinner etc., Del boy then tells him, as someone should to Ken, "You don't live here any more"
Remember Ken, you are just a part of history now, very bad history.
- Peter Thurgood, London, UK, 06/08/2008 11:22
Report abuse
Once again under Boris London takes two steps back.
- Darren, London, 06/08/2008 11:03
Report abuse
I think that a basic rule of thumb should be applied to all major decisions undertaken by Boris: whichever choice would most annoy Livingstone is the right one to make.
I am SO happy that we now have a mayor who understands the needs of the silent majority in London and who doesn't just pander to every minority group who hangs around his office demanding this, that or the other.
- St, London, 06/08/2008 10:35
Report abuse
