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| Far Eastern promise for West End as work begins on Oxford Circus Crossing one of the world's busiest intersections is set to be made easier as work begins this week on a £5million Japanese-inspired makeover which will allow shoppers to walk across Oxford Circus diagonally for the first time. Designed by UK-based architecture and engineering firm Atkins and taking a lead from Tokyo's famous Shibuya crossing, renowned for allowing people to cross with ease, Oxford Circus is set to get all its existing barriers and street clutter ripped out and remodelled in order to give pedestrians the freedom to move around quickly both straight ahead and diagonally - across both Regent Street and Oxford Street. The busy intersection is one of the most popular destinations in the world with more than 200 million visitors a year, and designers have adapted the same technology used in blockbuster films such as the Lord of the Rings to ensure the layout of the new crossing can cope with the vast numbers of people who pass through it. The redesigned road will double the amount of pavement and more space around the exits to Oxford Circus Tube station will be freed up. As part of the works more than half a kilometre of both Regent Street and Oxford Street are being redesigned with wider pavements and new lighting. The revamped crossing is due to reopen in time for the Regent Street and Oxford Street Christmas lights switch ons in November. This forms a key part Westminster City Council's wider plans to renew the West End ahead of 2012. The revamped Oxford Circus is being funded by The Crown Estate, which owns Regent Street in its entirety and Transport for London, and is supported by the New West End Company which represents businesses in Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street. Cllr Danny Chalkley, Westminster City Council's cabinet member for environment and transport, said: "Taking our inspiration from the Far East makes perfect sense as the Japanese have perfected the art of managing large numbers of people through good design and engineering, and the West End, like Tokyo's Shibuya district, is a fashion and entertainment hub which attracts visitors in huge numbers. As part of the work additional 'oases' will be created in nearby side roads Princes Street and Little Argyll Street, which will be part pedestrianised to allow for al fresco dining and possible street entertainment. For the duration of the works Princes Street will act as the main support depot for the construction. The designated pedestrian crossings on each of the four roads entering Oxford Circus will be enhanced by two diagonal crossings across the centre of the junction, which will link with each corner. Traffic lights are set to be rephased so that vehicles from all four directions will be stopped simultaneously for 30 seconds allowing people to walk safely across the junction diagonally. The complete traffic sequence will be 115-120 seconds. The new designs have been drawn up by engineering consultancy Atkins after discussions with Westminster City Council's transport department, using sophisticated computer software known as 'Fathom' and 'Legion' to model pedestrian movement. write your comments about the article :: © 2009 Construction News :: home page |