'Fitting Centre' for Bank Junction

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David Taylor

Editor, NLQ and New London Weekly

Alastair Moss

Chair of the Planning & Transportation Committee
City of London Corporation

The City banks on creating ‘world-class welcoming heart’

Studio Weave and Tom Stuart-Smith

The City of London has launched a public consultation on ‘practical’ proposed improvements to Bank Junction that it hopes will create ‘a world-class welcoming heart of the Square Mile’

The moves, part of its ongoing work to make the Square Mile a safer and more pleasant environment, are scheduled to coincide with the re-opening of the improved Bank station and part of a wider programme. Transport for London (TfL) has been upgrading and expanding Bank and Monument stations since April 2016 with works scheduled to be complete by late 2022.

“Bank Junction has already undergone transformative change, from a busy and dangerous intersection to a safer and more pleasant environment for all’, said Chair of the Planning and Transportation Committee at the City of London Corporation, Alastair Moss. “This proposal further builds upon those changes to continue the progression toward creating a world-class welcoming heart of the Square Mile, bounded by the iconic Bank of England, Royal Exchange and Mansion House.’

The City Corporation is ‘looking to improve safety and comfort on streets around station entrances’ as part of the All Change at Bank scheme, and in order to cater for the increased passenger capacity within the modernised station,

The proposed improvements include:

The closure of Threadneedle Street for motor vehicles between Bank Junction and Bartholomew Lane in both directions to create a walking and cycling only area.
The closure of Queen Victoria Street between Bucklersbury and Bank Junction for motor vehicles, except those vehicles exiting Walbrook in a westbound direction.
Keeping Princes Street open for only buses and cycles northbound, and in addition as a route for servicing to Cornhill in a southbound direction.
Widening pavements around the junction to accommodate the large number of people who walk through the area normally.

The City says the design provides space for ‘transformative’ public realm enhancements including greening and seating. It will also improve street safety, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists in line with the City Corporation’s Transport Strategy.

The Corporation considered ‘dozens’ of potential options, deeming the proposal now out for consultation the most practical, while also offering the most substantial benefits for City residents, workers and visitors.

By making subtle changes to just a few of the arms of the junction, we will ensure the streets are even safer for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as being able to provide welcome improvements to the public realm in this busy part of the City.

We encourage all of those who work, live and visit the City to provide their thoughts on the plan as we look forward to welcoming more people back to the Square Mile as the lockdown restrictions are eased.

The public consultation on the proposed changes is to run for six weeks (until 10 May) and, due to Covid-19 restrictions, will be undertaken virtually with virtual meetings scheduled for 14th April 12.30-13.30, 22nd April 18.30-19.30 and 28th April 12.30-13.30. Public consultation: www.city-of-london.citenzlab