‘TOTAL CHAOS’: Regent Street pedestrianisation plan risks transport gridlock, warns taxi association Chairman
- Perry Richardson
- Aug 3
- 3 min read
Proposals to reshape a section of Regent Street and nearby areas in central London have sparked serious concerns from the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA), with fears the scheme could create widespread disruption across the capital’s already congested road network.
Writing in TAXI magazine, LTDA Chairman Paul Brennan expressed strong reservations about the joint plans by Westminster City Council and the Crown Estate, which aim to overhaul the historic shopping street and surrounding roads with a strong emphasis on pedestrianisation and vehicle restrictions.
According to Brennan, although an original proposal to pedestrianise the entire length of Regent Street has been withdrawn, the updated scheme still presents major problems. “Even in its revised form,” he said, “the scheme still falls far short of being workable, at least from our point of view. If implemented as currently proposed, it’s hard to see how it wouldn’t result in total chaos.”
The revised proposals continue to raise questions around access, particularly for London’s licensed taxi drivers and their passengers. Brennan highlighted that the changes would severely limit access to six high-end hotels in the area, including three five-star and three four-star establishments, with a combined total of 877 rooms. “If, as stated, the aim is to turn Regent Street into a ‘destination’, blocking access to six major hotels might not be the best starting point,” he noted.
Brennan criticised the scheme’s limited scope and the project team’s apparent reluctance to consider the broader impact on central London traffic. “The biggest issue, beyond the usual obvious ones, is that these schemes rarely consider the wider network outside their self-contained bubble,” he wrote. “Sure, the project team couldn’t have predicted the mayor’s questionable tactics in pushing his Oxford Street vanity project, but the broader context isn’t exactly a surprise.”
He warned that the plan would push additional traffic north onto Shaftesbury Avenue and east towards Holborn, two areas already under pressure. “By their own admission, this scheme will push more traffic up Shaftesbury Avenue and towards Holborn – precisely the area where Camden Council is planning even more restrictions,” he said. “The same Holborn that is already at a near constant standstill.”
Brennan also reminded authorities of their obligations under the law. Referencing the 2004 Traffic Management Act, he explained: “Local authorities have a legal duty to (a) secure the expeditious movement of traffic on their own road network, and (b) facilitate the same on roads managed by other authorities. Yet this duty is constantly undermined.”
While councils often justify such restrictions by claiming they support walking and cycling, Brennan questioned the effectiveness of those efforts. “They’ve been trying to do that for years,” he said. “By their own metrics, they’ve maybe shifted 5% of drivers to alternative modes. People don’t drive in London for fun. If there were a viable alternative, most would take it.”
The LTDA is now working with other trade bodies to coordinate a response and ensure the taxi trade’s views are represented. Brennan has pledged to keep members updated and provide guidance on how to respond to the consultation. He said: “I’ll be in touch (if I haven’t already) with LTDA members shortly, voicing our collective position, along with suggestions you may wish to include in your own responses.”
He also praised the consultation team’s openness to feedback, noting that while the scheme remains problematic, many of those involved in developing it are trying to engage with stakeholders. “To be fair, 90% of them are dedicated and hard-working people, doing their best with the brief they’ve been given,” he said. “They do listen, and in this world that’s not something to take for granted.”
The consultation closes on 10 August, and Brennan urged all drivers to make their views heard: “If you only respond to one consultation this year, please make sure it is this one.”
